MSNBC's Scarborough: 'Do You Think' Mrs. Fred Thompson 'Works the Pole'?

NewsBusters.org ^ | Ken Shepherd

[SandRat]

Conservative blogs are abuzz with a controversial remark MSNBC's Joe Scarborough made on his Friday "Morning Joe" program about Jeri Thompson, the wife of former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.), who is mulling over a White House bid.

Hot Air has the video.

Here's the relevant transcript:

JOE SCARBOROUGH, host, "Morning Joe": Have you seen, um, have you seen Fred Thompson's wife?

CRAIG CRAWFORD, Congressional Quarterly: Oh, yeah!

SCARBOROUGH: You think she works the pole?

CRAWFORD: That's what Hollywood careers will do for you, I guess.

SCARBOROUGH: [Laughs] What do you mean?

CRAWFORD: You get wives like that.

SCARBOROUGH: I mean, look at that guy. God bless him, I love his voice, but I mean, you know, he ain't Robert Redford in 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.'

CRAWFORD: Well, I'd like to see him get back into politics, 'cause I think he's a lousy actor!

Michelle Malkin is critical of the comments, noting that Scarborough replaced Don Imus, who was canned for his "nappy-headed hos" remark about the Rutgers women's basketball team:

Scarborough owes Thompson and his wife an apology.

Be a man, Joe. Would you let someone publicly joke about your wife that way?

On May 11, NewsBusters contributor Noel Sheppard documented Scarborough's kid glove treatment of Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.):

SCARBOROUGH: There's been such a division in this country. I really do think that people are exhausted, and they're looking for a president who can unite the country. . . And a lot of people who probably said some very nasty things about you in the 1990s, are extraordinarily impressed with the type of leadership you provided since you've been in the Senate, how you have been a unifying force.

Last November, NewsBusters senior editor Rich Noyes noticed that Scarborough, a former Republican congressman from Florida, declared of his pre-election coverage, "I have been bashing my party more than the Democratic Party."

[hole_n_one]

If you ask me, Beauty ain't sleeping.......

she's comatose.

[Swordfished]

lighten up.

just hearing the phrase in isolation - sounds like a stripper’s pole

hearing it in context - probably a euphemism.

big deal. scarborough’s not known for, or won’t be known for, his ‘reasoned analysis’.

[Sleeping Beauty]

Since he didn't dump his first wife for the second one, I can't see why anyone would have a problem with it. His first wife is even willing to campaign for him, so SHE must not have a problem with it.

Suzi, I agree!

I've just seen some rumblings. A cheap political shot. Let's keep reminding everyone of those facts. It's not like Guilani at all!

[Swordfished]

and, after skimming this thread, it appears you aren’t known for classy conversation

[Atlas Sneezed]

I think Fred is going to have an issue with “Trophy Wife” syndrome.

---

She’s a 40-year-old lawyer, and Fred gave up 18 years of being chased by hot Hollywood gals for her.

Beauty alone does not make a trophy wife.

[hole_n_one]

A little birdie tells me that the Dims didn't bring Willie's "johnson" into the public arena -- over and over again

So, I guess in your mind, on a scale of 1-10, 1 being without any fault and 10 being completely responsible, Clinton's culpability is about a minus (-) 3.

I take it back.

You're not comatose, you're brain dead.

[Sleeping Beauty]

Beauty alone does not make a trophy wife.

Certainy not!

I'm a "Beauty," so I speak from expeience ;-)

Our challenge is the age difference. But I think we can lick this one -- as long as we are forearmed.

[Lijahsbubbe]

Women voters don’t like that at all.

Since when do you speak for women voters? Doesn't bother me.

[Theresawithanh]

...the far left is planning to protest the DNC Denver convention in a manner that will make the 1968 Chicago DNC Demonstration pale in comparison.

That should be fun to watch!

[pangaea6]

I’m sure Joe and Craig work they’re pole. Losers

[SandRat]

Like I said....

[Twink]

Some women, insecure women who don’t look like her, will have a problem with how great she looks. And men like Joe Scarborough will have a problem with her appearance.

Insecure, unhappy women who play into this are jealous and don’t know what it’s like to be fit, healthy and decent looking. They’re also too ready to blame the man for their own imperfections.

You may be right, some women will have a problem with it. Just goes to show how far some women need to come in our society.

[Twink]

It appears no one is but some just say it more directly.

[Twink]

It appears no one is but some just say it more directly.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Isn’t he gay? (Scarborough)

[Sleeping Beauty]

Since when do you speak for women voters? Doesn't bother me.

It doesn't bother me either. I may be watching too much TV.

[Diver Dave]

In May 2001 America was gripped by the 24/7 cable/network/press coverage of a missing congressional ex-intern, Chandra Levy. A couple of months later a second congressional aide turns up dead and virtually ignored by the media.

Two congressional aides, one missing and one dead, within months of one another is highly unusual – a story in itself, eh?

At the same time Gary Condit was being followed by video cams and a hungry press, the Ft Walton Police Dept came out in their first press conference saying their was no indication of foul play in the death of Lori Klausutis, the aide of Joe Scarborough., found dead in the Congressman’s Fort Walton Beach office.

Bingo!

During the Chandra Levy investigation, Condit's Washington DC residence was searched under warrant by the DC cops.

Reports at the time stated that it was apparent that the cops were testing for trace evidence of blood/bodily fluids. Reporters on the scene speculated that the cops were using the special lights which bring out the signs of fluids because of light eminating from the windows of Condit's residence.

Reports or rumors at the time revealed that the cops obtained semen trace from upwards of five male perps.

Rumors also circulated that Condit was the host of parties where his congressional collegues were present and Scarborough and Kasich were some of those named in the rumors.

Kasich travelled to CA during the 2000 election cycle to campaign for his buddy Condit.

In the 2002 election cycle, Condit lost in the primary, and Kasich and Scarborough called it quits.

Just another reason to go, Hmmmmmmmm

[MSF BU]

I’ve always thought that Joe is a perfect example of they type of conservative who could have used four years in uniform beginning with Fort Benning. He’d be a better many for it. Of course, the same is true of Rudy, Fred, Mitt (along with his five husky sons) and Newt.

[Finalapproach29er]

That’s modern slang for the exercise craze where women use a stripper pole to get a workout.

A lot of young women are doing it I hear. Seriously.

[television is just wrong]

I think he is more in touch with what Americans want today than any other possible candidate out there.