Riffing off a clip of Ted Cruz welcoming Marco Rubio followers to his fold, Mika Brzezinski went on an extended critique of Cruz's mannerisms on today's Morning Joe.
Steve Schmidt joined in, accusing Cruz of "oozing insincerity." Joe Scarborough pretended not to know what the others were talking about, facetiously wondering "what are you talking about? You didn't think that was from the heart?"
What do NB readers think about Cruz's delivery? Is it simply passionate exposition by the son of a preacher, or something else?
Note: the screencap below shows Mika mocking Cruz getting into character.
TED CRUZ: Let me say a word about Marco Rubio. Marco is a friend; he's a colleague. He ran a strong, optimistic, positive campaign. To those who supported Marco, who worked so hard, we welcome you with open arms.
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: It, it just --
JOE SCARBOROUGH: What's wrong?
MIKA: He seems like a cartoon character.
JOE: Did you not feel the love?
MIKA: I'm sorry, that's probably not very nice to say but isn't it so obvious to everyone? It's so exaggerated and fake.
JOE: What are you talking about?
MIKA: His delivery. Is it okay to say? Steve Schmidt, is it okay to say?
JOE: You didn't think that was from the heart?
MIKA: No.
JOE: Really?
STEVE SCHMIDT: He's both the most articulate candidate in the race at some level --
MIKA: And the most comical.
SCHMIDTl But he is also the one who oozes the most insincerity.
MIKA: Yeah, okay.
JOE: You think so?
SCHMIDT: Maybe it's not polite to say so, but I think it is.
MIKA: He oozes insincerity.
JOE: Willie, I think that they would say that --
WILLIE GEIST: Sometimes it looks a little rehearsed.
MIKA: If I said to you [adopting dramatic tone] "Willie Geist, we welcome you to our party."
WILLIE: Yes.
JOE: I don't know who you guys are looking like.
WILLIE: Sometimes like a Shakespearean actor delivering a line, I would say. But smart guy, going to be in the race for a long time, so get used to it.MIKA: I'm just saying, we talk about Hillary Clinton's voice and sternness, and this and that: let's look at the guys, too. He seems really insincere, in fact, oozes with it. That's all.
JOE:I think it might come from right here, Mika [points to his heart.] Right from the heart.
MIKA: No it does not. It does not. It's like, let me get into character. All right: I'm ready to speak.
JOE: I don't buy that.
