Posted on 10/26/2005 5:36:23 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
In introducing Joe Scarborough this morning, Katie Couric described him a "former Republican congressman." After witnessing his performance, one is prompted to ask: was "former" intended to modify "congressman," or "Republican"?
In any case, Scarborough was living proof of the adage that the kind of Republicans welcome on the Today show are those willing to take swipes at the Bush administration.
Scarborough did so in spades this morning. Speaking of the Plame investigation, Katie asked, in her best butter-wouldn't-melt-in-her-mouth ingenue tone:
"Last September on Meet the Press Vice-President Cheney said he didn't know Joe Wilson, had never met him, and did not know who sent Joe Wilson to Africa in the first place. But that would contradict reports that the Vice-President had actually told Scooter Libby about Valerie Plame three months earlier. So you talk about political fallout, is Vice-President Cheney in hot water as a result of this?"
Scarborough gave Katie more than even she could have hoped for in response:
"I don't know that he's in hot water; I would tell you that in Middle America," continued Scarborough, a self-styled populist who imagines his finger firmly on Joe Six-Pack's pulse, "voters would call that a lie."
Scarborough persisted:
"Why is that important? It's important because you're talking about 2000 Americans that have died in Iraq. If the President can't be trusted on small things, if the Vice-President can't be trusted . . . well, I say small things, the bigger question is do you trust their logic, their reasoning for sending Americans into war and it certainly hurts their credibility if the Vice-President is not telling the truth."
When it came to how much trouble the Bush administration is in, Scarborough was willing to go even farther than Couric. Katie offered a rosy scenario in which no indictments came down and asked if that would give the White House a chance to turn things around.
But Scarborough was implacable:
"Well, here's the problem," replied Scarborough with a schadenfreude-filled cackle, "the second this crisis is over, if the White House averts crisis here and there are no indictments, guess what we'll be talking about next week? The possible with of Harriet Mier [sic]. I've talked to Republicans on Capitol Hill, I've talked to people in the White House. They think it's over; they do not think she's got the votes.
"At some point after these [Plame] storm clouds pass by those are the next storm clouds and it's very embarrassing for a White House and for a President who doesn't like to admit that he's wrong."
You know Katie couldn't have been more sincere when, in wrapping, she thanked Scarborough "so much."
Scarborough apparently believes that when your MSNBC show's ratings are as low as are his, it's important to demonstrate to your NBC masters that your heart is in the right, or shall we say, left, place.
Afterall,nobody sees him on MSNBC cable...that's for sure.
He's no different than Dick Morris,Bill O'Reilly or Sean Hannity.
I certainly don't share Scarborough's opinion, but I can respect his looking after his own career.
"Middle America" Scarborough from DemoRat ridden Florida....
"IMO, Scarborough is lining himself up for more future TODAY SHOW appearances and camera face-time."
I'd agree that it's a combo of that, and wanting to ingratiate himself with his NBC bosses who hold the fate of his MSNBC show in their hands.
Joe represented the conservative FL Panhandle, and was quite the conservative in those days. Now that he's a "former" congressman and his fate lies in the hands of his liberal NBC masters, he's singing a different tune.
I quit watching Scarborough months ago. It's one thing to watch Sissy slobber and go into hysterics--he's a life-long 'Rat and I find him an entertaining cartoon at times. However, I had respect for Scarborough as a politician, and it hurts to watch him troll for MSNBC viewers.
"It hurts to watch [Joe]troll for MSNBC viewers."
"Troll" being the operative word ;-)
I believe Joe has become more of a McCain. He has finally shoved aside enough principles to become a Today show news analyst. Only those who subscribe to Katie Couric's view watch MSNBC, which is why he needs her audience to watch his show.
I'll give you O'Reilly but not nearly as strongly: when he's on he drinks the Today Show green room koolaid. However, when I've seen him Katie purposely avoids the questions designed to backstab Republicans. Joe S has joined the Today team. He will now lose the conservatives who changed channels during Greta.
Bingo - thanks for posting!
So Joe is basing this off unsourced, leftwing blogger gibberish?
Had already posted it HERE
No Ingraham is more of a Pat Buchanan isolationist. Very disrespectful of Bush at times. Her sarcasm is ugly and undermines this presidency. She is doing everything she can to get Miers out of the running and trashes those who disagree with her.
I stopped listening a long time ago.
I gave up on him since his FEMA and federal gov't bashing episodes after Katrina.
except for Monica Crowley. FNC made a huge mistake not inking her to a deal - she's smart as well as pretty. alot of these FNC infobabes aren't too bright, they had a chance to get one that was - and let her go.
I go to reruns of Judge Judy at 10 PM EST.
No more. Joe's jumped the shark.
I agree, sauropod. He's been a colossal disappointment. And last I saw of "Scarborough Country" - which started off to be a pretty decent hour of polital discussion - it's gone mostly or completely tabloid (ie, "All Natalee, all the time").
Good God, Joe Scarborough is so weak. He's completely sold out.
She seems to just drone on and on and soon I forget the radio is on. And, enough of Frank Gaffney already.
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