On Sunday's AM Joy, it was another case of MSNBC including an alleged conservative guest for the purpose of having him bolster the views of the liberal host rather than provide a contrarian point of view. MSNBC contributor and right-leaning talk radio host Charlie Sykes joined in host Joy Reid's derision of Sheriff David Clarke as he complained that the Milwaukee County sheriff has been "AWOL" and has used his uniform as a "prop" on Fox News.
The MSNBC contributor then ended up deriding him as "my Frankenstein monster" who has "beclowned himself" as he referred back to supporting the Milwaukee County sheriff in the past.
After recalling that the right-leaning Democratic sheriff recently attracted a primary opponent for next year's election, host Reid brought aboard Sykes and Wisconsin Democratic State Senator Lena Taylor. After relating to viewers that there has been a movement to push Sheriff Clarke to run for the U.S. Senate, she turned to Sykes and snarked: "Do you see in Sheriff Clarke someone who still wants to be sheriff and, you know. let more people die in his jail?"
Laughter could be heard in the background, and Sykes started to chuckle as he responded:
No, I -- it's a -- (pauses to chuckle) -- it's an interesting question because I'm sure they would like to keep wearing that uniform as a prop when he goes on Fox News. Which is about the only time that we ever see him around here. I mean he is awol. He's basically bailed on Milwaukee.
So I actually don't see him running for reelection. I think that he thinks that he is bigger than the sheriff's job and he's really transformed himself into this mini Trump wannabe. And that's his career trajectory.
Moments later, Reid referred to Sykes's conservative talk radio background as she asked:
And Charlie Sykes, as someone who was, you know, a long time in conservative talk radio, talk radio in the past was very supportive of this guy. But you just hinted at some of your change of heart, that you think that he's been awol. Would Republicans get behind him if he runs against Tammy Baldwin for the United States Senate?
After predicting a crowded primary for U.S. Senate, Sykes further piled on the Milwaukee County sheriff as he added:
I do think that Sheriff Clarke in the last year has really sort of "beclowned" himself, and I refer to him as kind of "my Frankenstein monster." There was a time when Sheriff Clarke had some substantive things to say, but clearly the ego and the big hat, I think, have gotten the best of him. But I don't see that as a plausible path for him.
After Reid turned back to State Senator Taylor and received from her more criticism of Sheriff Clarke, Turner ended up concluding: "I'm so glad to hear that Charlie Sykes and I agree that David Clarke is all hat and no cattle."
The MSNBC host ended the segment by jokingly commenting that she had brought her two guests together because seeing them agree would be "unexpected," even though there's actually nothing "unexpected" about seeing a "conservative" and a liberal agree on MSNBC. Reid: "We did this segment specifically to get State Senate Lena Turner and Charlie Sykes to agree on TV because no one would be expecting that. So we do the unexpected here on AM Joy."
Below is a transcript of relevant portions of the Sunday, April 9, AM Joy on MSNBC:
JOY REID: There is a "draft Clarke for Senate" movement, Charlie Sykes. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported about outside political groups raising money to get him to switch jobs and run for the Senate or maybe even try to get into the Trump campaign. His travel schedule -- he's all over the country speaking, raising -- making -- lots of money as a public speaker. Do you see in Sheriff Clarke someone who still wants to be sheriff and, you know. let more people die in his jail?
(laughter can be heard in background)
CHARLIE SYKES, MSNBC CONTRIBUTOR: No, I -- it's a -- (pauses to chuckle) -- it's an interesting question because I'm sure they would like to keep wearing that uniform as a prop when he goes on Fox News.
REID: Sure.
SYKES: Which is about the only time that we ever see him around here. I mean he is awol. He's basically bailed on Milwaukee. So I actually don't see him running for reelection. I think that he thinks that he is bigger than the sheriff's job and he's really transformed himself into this mini Trump wannabe. And that's his career trajectory.
(...)
REID: And Charlie Sykes, as someone who was, you know, a long time in conservative talk radio, talk radio in the past was very supportive of this guy. But you just hinted at some of your change of heart, that you think that he's been awol. Would Republicans get behind him if he runs against Tammy Baldwin for the United States Senate?
SYKES: No, I think there's going to be a very, very crowded primary. They have a lot of quality candidates, and I do think that Sheriff Clarke in the last year has really sort of "beclowned" himself, and I refer to him as kind of "my Frankenstein monster." There was a time when Sheriff Clarke had some substantive things to say, but clearly the ego and the big hat, I think, have gotten the best of him. But I don't see that as a plausible path for him.
REID: Yeah. And, Lena Taylor, if he were to lose and not get a job in the Trump administration, is there a job out there in Wisconsin that a good old Sheriff Clarke could do? Could you think up some career options for him if he ends up unemployed?
STATE SENATOR LENA TAYLOR (D-WI): You know, I can't think of a job that I want him to have --
REID: Do you need a legislative aide?
TAYLOR: -- Joy, in Milwaukee County. I would never hire him, Joy, and I'm so glad to hear that Charlie Sykes and I agree that David Clarke is all hat and no cattle.
REID: We did this segment specifically to get State Senate Lena Taylor and Charlie Sykes to agree on TV because no one would be expecting that. So we do the unexpected here on AM Joy.
SYKES: It's a first.
REID: Thank you guys very much. Appreciate it.
