Scarborough Again Hits the Right (But Ignores the Left) In Newest Politico Column
Carrying his sermonizing from his MSNBC morning show to Politico, Joe Scarborough railed against inflammatory political rhetoric in his latest Politico column – but hit conservative talk while ignoring leftist vitriol.
Calling them out by name, as he did recently on his show "Morning Joe," Scarborough pleaded with conservatives that if they can't be civil out of righteousness, they could at least practice civility for the sake of the Republican Party. "It's time to grow up," he lectured the Right, specifically pundits Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck.
Of course, Scarborough made no criticism whatsoever of inflammatory rhetoric from the Left – such as his MSNBC colleague Ed Schultz, who in 2009 joked about ripping Dick Cheney's heart out and playing political football with it, nor from vicious left-wing dilettante Randi Rhodes, nor from Democrat Rep. Alan Grayson of Florida who called his 2010 Republican opponent "Taliban Dan."
No, Scarborough was content instead to nitpick and moan, which he has been doing for, oh, a few columns in a row now. From criticizing the GOP to hitting Obama for not being strong enough, Scarborough's columns reek of liberal dissent rather than solid conservatism even as he constantly tells his television audience he is a "small-government conservative."
Scarborough called out GOP leaders for not condemning the "irresponsible language" of the Right, slamming Mitt Romney and criticizing former Gov. Tim Pawlenty for not speaking out against fellow Minnesotan Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R) for calling conservatives to be "armed and dangerous" in combating global warming legislation.
There's just one problem – whether Scarborough knew it or not, Bachmann's comments were taken way out of context by Paul Krugman at the New York Times. As NewsBusters reported recently, Bachmann's quote implored voters to be "armed and dangerous" with information to fight the legislation.
"I'm going to have materials for people when they leave," Bachmann told a radio show concerning possible energy tax legislation in 2009. "I want people to be armed and dangerous on this issue of the energy tax, because we need to fight back."
Bachmann clearly was using "armed and dangerous" to refer to people using information to oppose legislation, not violence.
Scarborough also hit Sarah Palin for her widely-publicized use of the term "blood libel" to describe the criticism she has received from the media for helping cause the Tuscon shootings with her rhetoric. Scarborough forgot, however, that the term has been used multiple times in the past – particularly on his own show.
Columnist Mike Barnicle, on the October 31, 2006 edition of MSNBC's "Scarborough Country," referred to Sen. John Kerry's treatment by Swift Boat veterans as "blood libel." Barnicle lamented that Kerry didn't properly stand up to the attacks "when he was undergoing a blood libel by the Swift Boat people." Scarborough, of course, did not rebuke Barnicle at the time for being insensitive or melodramatic.
In addition, Scarborough provided some nice rhetoric of his own Tuesday on his MSNBC show. He recommended that Palin, justifiably defending herself after the Tucson shootings, should have said less. "I know there are a lot of jackasses out there that are going to get upset at me. It just doesn't matter, because it's the truth," Scarborough insisted.
The former Florida Republican congressman did acknowledge that accusations against conservatives immediately following the Tuscon shooting were baseless. "The avalanche of condemnations that came pouring down on Palin, Fox News, and the tea party were off base and offensive," he wrote.
But, he warned, heated Right-wing talk could be a cause of a violent event down the road. "This would be a good time to prevent the next tragedy from destroying the political momentum," Scarborough argued.
- Matt Hadro's blog
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Comments
So transparent
Submitted by dronetek on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 7:04pm.
Joe is just using this incident to become the male version of Kathleen Parker. Ever since she told him on his show that she wont the Pulitzer prize, "for being a conservative basher". He thinks that if he does the same thing, someone might give him a prize too.
Dronetek: From The Source
Oxymoron Alert!
Submitted by bigdaddy on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 8:36pm.
"male version of Kathleen Parker"
Is there a female version?
I hate negativity
Submitted by MidAmerica on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 7:08pm.
These people who use heated rhetoric to denounce heated rhetoric are absurd beyond belief.
Love your headline, Mid!
Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 7:12pm.
;)
Thanks
Submitted by MidAmerica on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 7:21pm.
Yeah it's a phrase I've used for many years. I first used it in a Sunday School discussion about staying positive and how to avoid being negative. I'm easily amused by self contradictory phrases.
I think "No Labels" is really going to take off
Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 7:10pm.
under Shmoe's stellar leadership.
i really, really do.
I read that article this AM
Submitted by motherbelt on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 7:20pm.
I read that article this AM after seeing it in the posting about Hugh Hewitt and Politico's editor.
The headline of the article said it all: Moving Past Right-Wing Rhetoric
I wonder
Submitted by djwolf12 on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 7:32pm.
I wonder if this douchebag will get canned when Comcast takes over. As crazy as it sounds, the only real voice of Reason left over at M.S.S.R. is Pat Buchanan.
it's all relative
Submitted by MidAmerica on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 7:53pm.
Not too many years ago Pat Buchanan was considered sort of fringey. But now compared to the inmates he appears with he's gone from looking like a fringe opinion to the appearance of being a Cal Thomas or George Will.
Says it all right there.
Submitted by Thoreau on Wed, 01/19/2011 - 4:16am.
Says it all right there. When Pat Buchanan is the voice of sanity for your entire network, it's time to pack it in.
What's MSNBC Have In The Water.
Submitted by SnapTie on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 7:37pm.
They must be able to brainwash people over at MSNBC to follow the approved agenda.
Certainly, not all its oars . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 11:51pm.
They've got a weird mix of hosts over there.
Who care about Joe?
Submitted by griv on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 7:39pm.
He's a blowhard. Stop watching his show and let it fold.
Ah, it's the old "why are you
Submitted by Chris Norman on Wed, 01/19/2011 - 12:15am.
Ah, it's the ol' "why are you talking about media bias on a site devoted to media bias?" comment.
Who says we watch it, other than NB whose job it is to watch this stuff so they can document it? The fact is, millio- er - hundreds of thou- er - thous- oh, well, at least, several dozen people watch Morning Joe and are influenced by him. That's why the unfairness in his "expert analysis" must be exposed.
Incivility?
Submitted by 2birds on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 7:41pm.
I have listened to Glenn Beck many, many times on the radio and I've seen his show at least a dozen times. I have never heard or seen him utter an un-civil word. I've never heard him suggest violence as a solution to anything either. What the heck is Scarborough talking about? What the heck is the entire left talking about? Give me an example?
well
Submitted by amyshulk on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 10:40pm.
He/they can't give an example - it's all projection.
The left/progressives said what they thought Bush would do for 8 years, their "blueprint" if you will - and that's what all this is.
It's disturbing to see how they operate, but once you see it, you can't "unsee" it, and the more people are informed, the better for the US.
Ronald Reagan
Joe Scarborough along
Submitted by Barack_must_go..... on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 7:54pm.
Joe Scarborough along with his morning zoo has become nothing more than a retread Keith Olbermann version 2.0, with better background music.
Barack_Must_Go.....
Background music
Submitted by Seashell on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 8:08pm.
Only good thing about that show-period.
unilateral disarmament
Submitted by neutron on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 10:49pm.
Joe is suggesting that the conservatives unilaterally disarm, while the left increases their vitriol. Keithy and the MSLSD team never would have dreamed of asking for that. Joe is the highest ranking mole to ever defect to the KGB, oops, I mean the left.
I am so done with this show
Submitted by Marsh on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 8:02pm.
I would watch Morning Joe but since the endless Palin pile on, never again.
Joe's obsession with Palin has now entered the realm of media stalker. I bet he's on her Facebook under a pseudonym reading it religiously at 3AM after he raids the refrigerator.
@marsh, A+
Submitted by fromphoenix on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 10:37pm.
@marsh, A+
Joe is Pathetic
Submitted by redeye on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 8:20pm.
He is a complete sell out. All the examples of the left. including Obama rhetoric, & he can never site one.
This show has become a joke!
more like "Morning Joke
Submitted by wsasser on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 11:06pm.
There, fixed it for you
Where's Mika's Column...
Submitted by bigdaddy on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 8:37pm.
...or are they unable to scan color crayons?...
LOL. BTW, ever try to hold a crayon with a beak?
Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 10:49pm.
Ain't easy... they keep breaking.
SickofLibs, that is hilarious
Submitted by Captain Repus on Wed, 01/19/2011 - 12:22am.
SickofLibs, that is hilarious ... very well said ... same for Bigdaddy's original comment
She can't quote Head Bobs
Submitted by wsasser on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 11:07pm.
Ever see her neck....she is always in agreement
Mika's "book"
Submitted by Cactus Kurt on Wed, 01/19/2011 - 9:29am.
Mika's "column" is in the same place as her "book".
Joe is no small-government conservative.
Submitted by KyWriter on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 8:48pm.
He's a small-brained liberal who desperately tries to ingratiate himself with the NYLib crowd. His columns are predictable, boring, and his thought processes increasingly resemble his untidy appearance on his morning program. He doesn't spew as much venom as the nighttime nuts on MSNBC, but only because he is afraid Comcast will dump him when the merger is complete. At least Olberdork, Sgt. Shultz, and the manly Rachel Maddow make no bones about their bias (I won't mention Crazy Larry because I am sympathetic to the psychologically infirm).
Good one!
Submitted by NattyGreene on Wed, 01/19/2011 - 10:54am.
"his thought processes increasingly resemble his untidy appearance on his morning program."
... Classic, I love it!
What's up with Joe and the sweatshirts anyway? Does he not have a wife to tell him how to dress? Who kind of imbicile says to himself, "I'm going to be on national television today, what should I wear? I know, a sweatshirt!" (And Joe, if you read this, just because it has a collar doesn't mean it's "dressy")
You'd think Mika would say something to the guy.
Darth Scarborough went over to the dark side a long time ago
Submitted by Dave. on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 9:03pm.
All he is now is a jackass in an RINO suit.
Why anyone takes him seriously on any topic is beyond me.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Question:
Submitted by Unsane on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 9:06pm.
Where are all the Scarborough apologists?
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
lol
Submitted by amyshulk on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 11:23pm.
I was looking for jer to tell him this {Joe is a go-along to get along'er (sic?) } is what I've been trying to tell him!!!
Ronald Reagan
Mikaorjoepretendingtobejer
Submitted by Captain Repus on Wed, 01/19/2011 - 12:27am.
Mikaorjoepretendingtobejer should be along shortly. Probably shift change.
Fail Fail Fail
Submitted by Texndoc on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 9:26pm.
His book was a bust. His radio show was a bust. His morning show is teetering. It's his last paycheck. His niche is Palin Palin Palin Palin Glenn Beck Palin Palin Palin.
He sees himself as leading the Republicans out of the abyss. He supported Charlie Crist and ignored Marco Rubio. He leads no-one. He needs the MSNBC paycheck, because it's the only one coming in.
Scarborough knows who signs his paycheck
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 9:31pm.
Just as Brooks is the resident "conservative" at the NY TImes, so is Scarborough the "conservative" at MSNBC.
I don't find him very conservative at all. He still calls himself a Republican, which seems to fit -- his creds are really up to Republicans.
And he's consistently boring, his single point of reference being his glorious years in the House of Representatives. Together with the Mika "The Human Emoticon" Brzezinski, they form the jabbering bookends of MSNBC's morning cast of Leftist mouthpieces.
Did he sell out his soul for
Submitted by fromphoenix on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 9:47pm.
Did he sell out his soul for msnbc?
And this guy contemplates
Submitted by Cowboy on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 10:29pm.
And this guy contemplates running for office again?
As a Republican?
Don't know
Submitted by wsasser on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 11:08pm.
He's running with the "Party that shall not be named"
nothing more pathetic than an
Submitted by gadropout on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 10:30pm.
nothing more pathetic than an Arianna Huffington wanna-be.
Lost
Submitted by Gat New York on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 10:55pm.
Scarborough is lost and people who are without a core lash out recklessly.
Scarborough made a deal with the with MSNBC and has become one of them - an ignorant demagogue.
As many times as he opens his mouth he has to reaffirm that he is a conservative which only reinforces the fact that he is not at all.
His co-hort Mika truly is not very bright.
The one I enjoy the most is Donnie Deutsch who symbolizes the advertising agency industry - unchecked self-importance without an ounce of intelligence or understanding of business. The fact that he is going to have a show to give advice to women says all you need to know about a person who inherited an ad agency from daddy.
Change the show name
Submitted by wsasser on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 11:04pm.
From Morning Joe to
Morning Joke.... there fixed if fer ya
The only useful advice
Submitted by Marsh on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 11:07pm.
Donnie Deutsch could offer women is how to alert the bouncer fast enough when slugs like him are hitting on you at the bar.
Scarboroough is completely worthless as a political pundit
Submitted by WarEagle01 on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 11:19pm.
I mean, really, who listens to the guy? Conservatives ignore him because he's a phony. Liberals ignore him because he's a "conservative." Utterly worthless.
Hawaii governor can't find Obama birth certificate
Submitted by im41 on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 11:52pm.
"Suggests controversy could hurt president's re-election chances"
You can bet that they will ignore this
Oh that's priceless!!!
Submitted by NC Cop on Tue, 01/18/2011 - 11:55pm.
Wasn't he the one stomping around saying he was going to see it released so it would shut up all those right wing "birthers"?????
Classic!!
Scarborough
Submitted by NotFondOfLibs on Wed, 01/19/2011 - 12:13am.
This guy is past being a joke. I just look forward to the day, his show is cancelled, which it probably won't be. It took a long time for Air America to go off the air. Morning Joe is no different than Air America.
Morning Joe my butt. More like....
Submitted by ckc1227 on Wed, 01/19/2011 - 1:55am.
Morning Sickness. Blacccchhhh!
C' Mon Jo(k)e, admit it...
Submitted by P. Aaron on Wed, 01/19/2011 - 8:41am.
...you're a liberal.
Joe Scarborough is an
Submitted by marpel on Wed, 01/19/2011 - 11:48am.
Joe Scarborough is an irrelevant gasbag. He's as liberal as the rest of them on that show. I can't watch him anymore.
"Deep within my heart lies a memory. A song of ol' San Antone..."