Mika Mocks: Next Prez Needs to Repair Damage Done by Bush

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Not that there had been much doubt as to where MSNBC newsreader Mika Brzezinski stands politically . . . The MSNBC newsreader is, after all, the daughter of Jimmy Carter's erstwhile National Security Advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinski. And as we have noted before, today wasn't the first time Mika's expressed liberal views. Still, it was jarring to hear Brezinski on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" [an occasional show hosted by Joe Scarborough in Imus's former time slot] at 6:24 am EDT today, spout criticism of President Bush with a vitriol worthy of an "out" Dem partisan.

The springboard was a discussion among Mika, Joe and actor-director-writer John Ridley of the moment in last night's GOP presidential debate in which Rudy deftly dealt with the lightning strike just as he was explaining his pro-choice views. Ridley opined, to the agreement of the others, that Rudy handled the impromptu moment more smoothly than President Bush does his scripted ones. Scarborough observed that "we do need elected leaders who can communicate effectively," and pointed out that it was Tony Blair, not President Bush, who in a closed-door session with Congress had made the most effective case on behalf of the Iraq war.That's when Mika pounced.

MIKA : We're looking for someone who is going to be able to communicate globally and sort of repair what some may believe is a huge problem in terms of our reputation and respect for ourselves around the world.

The "some may believe" was only the barest of cover for what was clearly Mika's personal opinion. She immediately erased any doubt that she was aiming her dart at President Bush by ending her intervention by archly exclaiming "Vladimir!", an allusion to President Bush having recently referred to the Russian leader that way.

Things got even more pointed. When Joe announced that he was going to "get on George Bush's side for a second," Mika responded, "alright, do it, please!" Meaning: yes, I've clearly put myself in the anti-Bush camp so go ahead and try to defend him. Joe then pointed to the fact that, Germany and France, the two allies in Europe "that thumbed their nose at us," have in recent times elected pro-American leaders in Merkel and Sarkozy.

Snapped Mika, disdain in her voice: "What does that have to do with George Bush?"

Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net

[MarkL]

I'd like to mention here that it was actually the media who began the slide of the US reputation, specifically by doing all they could to undermine the credibility of President Bush, even before he was elected. Their portrayal of him as a dunce and dunderhead was picked up by their overseas colleagues, and it was off to the races.

Mark

[Mo1]

Yea I know .. I was just pointing out the lack of history those in the media have

[wtc911]

I don't like the open borders either, but to imply that Bush damaged them is nonsense. The borders were damaged looooooong before Bush ever got into office.

-------------------------------------------------------

And he's had six plus years to make them worse.

[Dave Olson]

And he's had six plus years to make them worse.

The borders are no more open now then they ever were. And in 1986, Reagan gave illegal immigrants blanket amnesty.

What did Bush do to make that situation worse?

[wtc911]

What did Bush do to make that situation worse?

-------------------------------------------P>Is that our standard for leadershi - the situation was a flustercluck but at least he didn't make it worse?

btw...ever see the enforcement stats for employers? Clinton's administration was exponentially more aggressive.

[Dave Olson]

Is that our standard for leadershi - the situation was a flustercluck but at least he didn't make it worse?

You're the one who said Bush made it worse. I just wanted to know how you can make that claim.

[wtc911]

From a Syracuse University study in 2006...

"Surprisingly, the unusually large number of apprehensions the BP reports making in both 1986 and 2000 -- about 1.6 million of them -- were considerably higher than the 1.2 million recorded in 2004 and 2005, even though the BP now has a lot bigger staff."

The PEW organization says that government statistics indicated the there were 28% fewer illegal arrested in the first five years of Bush's Presidency than in the last five years of Clinton's.

Your boy made it worse.

[meema]

Starting with the border.

Isn't THAT the truth!

Thanks, governs!

[Freee-dame]

what some may believe is a huge problem in terms of our reputation and respect for ourselves around the world.

I alwas interpret this as the group of people working in the same office as the writer.