Scarborough: Conservative Leaders All Tell Me They Want Brokered Convention
"I've been talking quietly to the most powerful, I think, conservative movers-and-shakers in Washington over the past couple weeks, trying to get their read. Are we really going down this path? Every single one I've spoken to is trying to figure out a way to get to a brokered convention."
That was Joe Scarborough on Morning Joe today. For good measure, Scarborough also stated as a simple fact that Sarah Palin wants a brokered convention. Video after the jump.
Watch Scarborough's surprising statement.
Note: at least as interesting as Joe's statemen tthat all the conservative movers and shakers in Washington he's spoken with want a brokered convention was his blithe assertion that Sarah Palin does as well. Presumably Palin would not be included among "Washington" conservatives, so wouldn't seem she'd be among those he's spoken to. On what does Scarborough base his assertion?
WILLIE GEIST: Given everything you've said, do you think Newt Gingrich could become the Republican nominee for president, or is it still Mitt Romney's?
JOE SCARBOROUGH: I think, and this is my opinion, I think Newt--something's happened here, by the way--there's a reason why--remember after Iowa I said that if Mitt wins Iowas there's going to be a revolt among conservatives?--well Newt is the vessel that people like Sarah Palin and others who want a brokered convention are riding right now. And they want to keep this going. And when it looks like Newt gets a little ahead, they'll find another vessel. The Republicans--I've said it before--they want a brokered convention. And Newt is the next step there. Do you guys think, have you guys heard, has anybody said in the Republican establishment, "man, I want Newt to be our nominee"?
MARK HALPERIN: Another thing that happened 24 hours ago is that Republicans named Mitch Daniels to give the response to President Obama at the State of the Union. And I can tell you, there are already people imagining a scenario: let's say Gingrich wins here [in South Carolina] and Republicans have this panic and say we can't be for Gingrich. Daniels goes out and gives a great response. I'm not saying therefore he's going to enter the race. I'm not saying people are going to say "draft Mitch Daniels" all of a sudden, who declined to run. But people will look at that and say, wow: do we really want to send in Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich?
SCARBOROUGH: You know, the people I always talk about. People say, Joe, don't you love the Republican party? Yes! Chris Christie. Jeb Bush. Mitch Daniels. Paul Ryan.
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: Are we talking about these guys again? Is this what has happened?
SCARBOROUGH: This is important for people at home to understand this. You know I've been talking quietly to the most powerful, I think, conservative movers-and-shakers in Washington over the past couple weeks, trying to get their read. Are we really going down this path? Every single one I've spoken to is trying to figure out a way to get to a brokered convention. Everyone thinks, resents the fact that Mitt Romney's people think that he's entitled to this. I don't know if it's possible or not. But that's what the Republican establisment wants.
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Comments
Hey, Joe. . .
Submitted by rickbren on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 9:18am.
. . . give us some names, places of the "Conservative Leaders" who want a brokered convention.
A brokered convention is the GOP's best hope
Submitted by Galvanic on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 9:21am.
Back when the Republicans made a slight comeback in November 2010, I posted on NB that if the GOP didn't take a hard look at the primary process prior to 2012, it could very well end up with Bob Dole II, and the vulnerable Obama could win like Clinton did in '96.
It's evident now that this field of GOP candidates may be too weak. It's representative of a party that historically talks 'conservative' but governs 'moderate,' and that friction is manifested in the debates.
The Republican Party wants to keep running their campaigns on an obsolete model based on broad market appeal, while many (most?) of its members want to anchor it on the right.
A brokered convention would allow the state GOP heads to figure out what the GOP of the 21sr Century is going to represent, and select a candidate best suited to kick it off.
And considering that both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions are subsidized by US taxpayers to the tune of $100 million each, I want some value for my entertainment dollar. ;-)
"It's evident now that this
Submitted by stratman on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 3:40pm.
Romney, yes. Gingrich and Santorum, no. See http://www.ontheissues.org/default.htm for facts on how the candidates governed.
Right
Submitted by sciborg3k on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 9:22am.
No real conservative leader would tell this 'rat Party flack anything.
But, what would be the point...
Submitted by zenman1661 on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 9:39am.
of a brokered convention. Who would they find who would agree to be the nominee and would be more likely to win the election then whoever wins through the primary process. Unless someone like Christie suddenly changes his mind, I don't see the usual way being overtuned.
Christie who?
Submitted by hrh40 on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 12:57pm.
What does Christie have to do with it? He's not conservative. He's a NE moderate Republican just like his endorsee Mitt Romney.
Now Scott Walker OTOH is a fighting courageous conservative.
Which you can tell cuz no one in DC ever mentions him.
And yet he is in the middle of this country fighting the battle for the soul of our country.
I love these guys going
Submitted by rubberneck on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 3:15pm.
I love these guys going around judging who's a conservative or not. I bet a little weasel like you would not have the courage to call him a RINO to his face.
⇒ Joe got confused
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 9:42am.
He was supposed to be reporting on liberal leaders hoping for a "brokeback convention".
Outgoing Senator, Barney Frank, pumping up the delegates into a frenzy, prior President Obama coming out.
Good times . . . good times!
On what does Scarborough base his assertion?
Submitted by Marsh on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 10:12am.
Jack Daniels whispered it in his ear..
⇒ Scarborough's source
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 10:21am.
He's channeling Lori Klausutis.
Don't blame Jack
Submitted by Agnostic on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 10:29am.
Jack has a reasonable opinion and is a genius at 3am - I would just get fuzzy about exactly what he told me. But it was brilliant, I remember that much.
what real conservative would talk to Joe
Submitted by ohio granny on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 10:28am.
What true conservative would talk to Joe about this? My guess is none. Maybe one of our so-called moderates like John McCain. Joe may have been a conservative at one time but that time has long since passed. He has been on MSNBC for so long he doesn't even know what conservative means anymore. He's certainly drank the kool-aid. Who cares what he say?. Who even watches?
We're really doomed
Submitted by katiejane on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 10:29am.
if " the most powerful, I think, conservative movers-and-shakers in Washington" are turning to Morning Joe for advice/input. When did he become such a well of deep thought?
The Pope also calls Shmoe at least once a week.
Submitted by SickofLibs on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 2:26pm.
"Mr. Scarborough, Pope on line 2."
"Ah, crap, tell him I'm at lunch or something."
Well that explains it...
Submitted by bigdaddy on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 3:43pm.
..when I tried to get Joe on the phone and couldn't get through. How does he find time to talk with EVERY Conservative in the universe???
Who is the Conservative Star Quarterback?
Submitted by Founders1791 on Sat, 01/21/2012 - 3:52am.
Over and over we still see flat out BIGOTRY and DERISION for our best conservative in the field....Governor Sarah Palin.
(1) Governor Sarah Palin was instrumental in our party receiving 60,000,000 votes in 2008, and SAVED John McCain from oblivion and repeated shots to his own feet.
(2) Governor Sarah Palin is the ONLY one in the GOP that 'electrifies and draws' the crowds. That ability in the right hands is more valuable than any Bain Capital successes.
(3) Governor Sarah Palin was instrumental in our party WINNING the 2010 Midterms. 67% of her endorsements WON with SarahPAC cash and her personal appearances for Tea Party candidates that have put a leash on Obama spending.
(4) Governor Sarah Palin is the ONLY politician in either party that has 'proven' anti-crony capitalist street credibility. The number one problem voters see in our government is exactly what Sarah is famous for.
The GOP is CLUELESS on how to channel that spectacular contrast with Obama green failures and cronyism on both sides. It sells itself.
(5) Governor Sarah Palin has a better record than Governor Mitt Romney ON ALL METRICS: Less taxes, less spending, less waste, more transparency, more principled leadership. ALL her 24,000 emails while governor trolled by thousands only to find NOTHING. No one is vetted like Sarah Palin.
The GOP actually marginalizes her excellent resume: Governor 3 fiscal years, Mayor 6 fiscal years, City Council 4 fiscal years, Oil&Gas Chairman 1 fiscal year.
She ran the affairs of 15,000 employees and an Operating Budget of $11 billion. Larger than Hershey's, Visa, or Bank of Ireland. It is a big deal.
The lack of gratitude for her 'stellar influence' on GOP and Tea Party successes has angered millions to such an extent that the fracture screams another 1992 and Ross Perot defections.
.....Rally behind a 'real conservative' and surround that person with a good team, and the support of the party, and the GOP will sail into victory. Select another John McCain in Romney and suffer another defeat.