Scarborough Tells Mika 'A President That Cannot Control 45 Backbenchers...Is Too Weak to be President'
Joe Scarborough on Tuesday told his "Morning Joe" co-host an inconvenient truth that she and most of her colleagues in the media just can't handle.
"A president that cannot control 45 backbenchers in the opposing Party in the House of Representatives is too weak to be President of the United States. It is that simple" (video follows with transcript and commentary):
JOE SCARBOROUGH, CO-HOST: [Obama’s] a mediator. And he sits and, “What do you think? What do you think?”
MIKA BRZEZINSKI, CO-HOST: Well.
SCARBOROUGH: “We’ll go halfway.” He…
BRZEZINSKI: Look.
SCARBOROUGH: He doesn’t understand, Mika, he controls the world stage. He has a power with that bully pulpit that nobody else has and he will not use it.
BRZEZINSKI: He controls the world’s stage unless the Republicans say they will not negotiate on anything.
SCARBOROUGH: That’s just not true. That’s just not true.
BRZEZINSKI: I want to read from Joe’s piece on Saturday.
SCARBOROUGH: That is just not true.
BRZEZINSKI: Hold on.
EUGENE ROBINSON: Just to interject quickly, when he drew a line, when the President drew a line in the debt…
BRZEZINSKI: Yes.
ROBINSON: …in the debt ceiling debate, and when he said, you know, this and no further, I, it’s got to be a longer-term deal that gets us past the election, he got it. He got what he wanted.
SCARBOROUGH: Right.
ROBINSON: When he used the bully pulpit, he swayed public opinion.
BRZEZINSKI: Who he already negotiated on way down in the House.
ROBINSON: Exactly. Yeah, no that’s true.
Wow. So after months of haggling, the only thing the most powerful man in the world got was a deal that kicked the can further down the road until after the election, and Brzezinski as well as Robinson, ever the dutiful shills, see that as a huge victory.
Scarborough didn’t:
SCARBOROUGH: A president that cannot control 45 backbenchers in the opposing Party in the House of Representatives is too weak to be President of the United States. It is that simple. Lyndon Johnson would have eaten these people up for breakfast and spit them out before lunch.
BRZEZINSKI: Okay. These people though are the very people that I think don’t care…
SCARBOROUGH: Ronald Reagan wouldn’t put up, I mean, a strong leader doesn’t put up with it.
BRZEZINSKI: …about…
SCARBOROUGH: It doesn’t matter whether they care or not. You make them irrelevant to the process if you’re strong enough to do that.
Scarborough, who clearly is coming around to the obvious leadership deficiencies of this President, was spot on.
As much as I love the Tea Party, a huge part of their success stems from the weakness of Barack Obama. A minority faction in one chamber of Congress should not be wielding the kind of power this fledgling movement is.
Don't get me wrong, I am quite thrilled that this is the case, but agree with Scarborough that a Reagan, Johnson, or even a Clinton would have pushed back much more effectively.
Consider that the real legislative impact of the Republican revolution in the '90s didn't happen until after their second successful election in 1996. Clinton stonewalled their budget and tax cuts until 1997 thereby furthering his own reelection.
By contrast, Obama began caving to Tea Party demands in December weeks before any of them was sworn in. Now, eight months later, he has become almost irrelevant, a situation that as NewsBusters pointed out earlier has been enabled by his equally hapless fans in the media.
This of course includes Brzezinski and Robinson.
Maybe with more exchanges like this, they'll come around - but I wouldn't hold my breath.
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Comments
You Know
Submitted by JustAl on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 11:33am.
My memory isn't so good. Which article of the Constitution (you know, that pesky "problem" Cokie Roberts was bitching about) says the President is supposed to "control" anybody in any other branch of the government save the military? I guess His "O"lliness isn't the only one who wishes we were more like communist China.
Joe Scarborough,listen up, pay attention,man....
Submitted by lrgon on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 2:14pm.
Obama got everything he wanted with the "compromise." Mitch McConnel and John "run the gourmet tab up" Boehner handed the keys to the national treasury vault to Obama.
Forget this nonsense about trying to portray Obama as a weak leader. Obama came out smelling like a rose because Mitch and John betrayed the Tea Party freshmen who were elected to balance the budget and sided with a big spender just like them.
Boehner and Stenny Hoyer in the meantime continue to feast at gourmet coffee houses and restaurants running up the tab courtesy of the taxpayer to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars.
CNS News follows that story >>>http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/boehner-paid-16176-tax-dollars-2010-food
Obama wanted the title, the
Submitted by Kenyon Schraeder on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 11:40am.
Obama wanted the title, the spotlight, the attention, the accolades, the adoring masses, the fancy office and the big fancy jet BUT he really never wanted to actually BE the President. Past the podium and teleprompter, he is well short on real leadership and devoid of any useful life experience for what lies ahead. In the midst of all that has and is happening, the best he can do is pontificate from behind the podium. That's of little comfort to the majority of people feeling the crunch.
And now, he's not going to get the Congressional respect that a true President deserves simply because he never ever divulged "his plan" while the debt debate was raging. He would have to become a totally different Obama to earn respect from Congress going forward.
And that, folks, "jes ain't a gonna happen". The 2012 elections will encourage the Congressional members from within his own party to save themselves first.
He's a narcissist
Submitted by Galvanic on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 12:21pm.
Obama ascended to the Presidency in large part because voters projected on to him traits that just aren't there. He was like a new car that's never been test driven; he looks nice and sounds nice, but once you start driving it, you realize it's a lemon. As the public is awakening to the error of its judgment, many are abandoning him, while others remain . . . well . . . hopeful.
Now, as criticism of his obvious lack of leadership grows, the Narcissist in Chief is all about blaming everyone and everything else. He's obviously not comfortable in the role of President -- his first job in which he is held accountable for results, and probably the first time he's ever had so many people abandon him. He's probably not aware of the fact that the more he talks, the less he has to say, and the more the disappointment grows.
But the real lesson to be learned is ours as a nation. Can we see through the hucksterism of our own politicians, or will be always fall for the images?
The economic disaster that won't go away is bringing us closer and closer to the decision.
"Fledgling movement"?
Submitted by Texndoc on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 11:43am.
Come again?
Scarborough and Mika have embraced and exaggerated their worst flaws so I really can't watch anymore. She sits there and muggs like a goon, and he is as pompous and self-congratulatory as ever. The bile in his mouth when he speaks of Rubio or DeMint or Perry or Palin or Tea Party, oh yeah Joe we know you were Mr. Financial Conservative of All Time. We know. We know. They're such amateurs and will never be you.
Obama is not-was not-fit to hold office
Submitted by JIMMY1660 on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 11:45am.
BHO's background readily shows he is a fish out of water. has nothing to fall back to figure out the next move around the hurdles.
He has said all the words-and they are without substance.
LOSER/LIAR?THIEF
Barack Obama thought he could
Submitted by marpel on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 11:51am.
Barack Obama thought he could come in to the White House and be a community organizer. Running a country doesn't work this way. You need to know how business works and how government works. He's in way, way, way over his head, and I hope it will start to dawn on the American people who elected him.
As for Scarborough, I'm so sick of listening to his self importance, I want to puke.
"Deep within my heart lies a memory. A song of ol' San Antone..."
Coinservative opinion
Submitted by alvin on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 12:09pm.
From the Washington Post's ombudsman:
"Conservative 'opinion' does not need to be true; it does not need to adhere to the traditional journalistic standards of this or any other conservative newspaper. It merely needs to keep conservatives happy
Opinions are neither true nor
Submitted by motherbelt on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 12:19pm.
Opinions are neither true nor false. That's why they're called "opinions" not "facts."
Synergistic effect
Submitted by Cactus Kurt on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 12:18pm.
Joe Scarborough is a putz. Mika Brzezinski is a ditz. Together, they raise stupidity to a new level. Unwatchable.
Looks like a very special boy is headed for Red Lobster.. again!
Submitted by SickofLibs on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 12:22pm.
"Nice to see you again so soon, Sir. Will you be having the usual?"
I'm generally not one to brag, SoL...
Submitted by Jer on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 2:23pm.
but after twenty years of patronizing the restaurant "serving the ocean's bounty--from our freezers to your stomach" we have been honored with our own private table conveniently located between the fire exit and the "facilities".
Jer
A box full of Stupid
Submitted by Free Stinker on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 12:34pm.
We have finally found something dumber than a Box full of Joe Bidens. A box full of Joe and Mika.
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
Delete duplicate
Submitted by Free Stinker on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 12:37pm.
Delete duplicate
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
So insightful, worth reading
Submitted by ex buff e-dub on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 12:40pm.
So insightful, worth reading twice! ;-)
Men Who Never Grow Up – The ‘Puer Aeturnus Complex
Submitted by ex buff e-dub on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 12:42pm.
Puer Aeturnus is Latin for ‘Eternal Youth’. It is a concept from the psychology of Carl Jung and applies to those men who, even though they’re in their 30’s, 40’s or 50’s have retained the emotional characteristics of an adolescent. Many of these men, referred to as Puers from now on, had fathers who were partially or totally absent. Others had fathers who were weak and passive, which left the upbringing to the mother. All Puers have an inappropriately strong tie to the mother, positive or negative. If there is no essential differentiation from the mother, there is no masculinity. A sense of masculinity has to be won by struggle; it is not a birthright!
http://drpetermilhado.com/puer_complex
cajun is confused again*
Submitted by cajun2 on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 12:48pm.
I thought those 45 backbenchers answered to their constituents, not the President. What part of REPRESENTATIVE does Joe not understand?
cajun...allow me to unconfuse you
Submitted by Jer on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 1:37pm.
Joe has been a huge cheerleader for those backbenchers all throughout the debt ceiling debate. There may have been some mild criticism on a couple of occasions, but it was far outweighed by gushing praise for their efforts. It almost made me physically ill to listen to it.
Jer
Those 45 House 'backbenchers' are the only ones that deserve...
Submitted by Dave. on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 12:53pm.
...to be returned to Congress next year.
The rest need to get the boot, as they helped the dems get us downgraded.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Dave - I never voted for a "backbencher" in my life...
Submitted by Grumpy in Arizona on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 2:00pm.
... I voted for people who I hoped would represent me to the best of their abilities... loudly and strongly! I am in full agreement with your sentiment that the 45 need to be returned next year and the Halls of the Legislature" need more conservative "backbenchers" that will challenge the status quo!
- Grump :o)
held hostage
Submitted by Tjexcite on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 3:06pm.
You make them irrelevant to the process if you’re strong enough to do that.
If you are strong enough you are not held hostage by a "their words" fringe group that no real plan. Like the Tea party and not bow to them. This attack was from the left as O should not have caved and all part of the meme that the tea party won the debate yet they don't like it and they where the ones to vote against it but they won against the weak president.
Wow. Joe earlier in the show
Submitted by amyshulk on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 3:33pm.
Wow. Joe earlier in the show articulated what I said election night - that Pres. Obama would be a "Charlie Brown" and NOT a leader!!!
I think what everyone is ignoring is the fact that we either accept that we ALL {mostly - I'm sure there are some who don't use credit} have been "Keeping up with the Joneses" and that that just isn't possible anymore, or we hope the NEXT bubble expands and saves us so we can bury our heads in the sand for yet another generation.
I think "Eat your Peas" was an in-artful way of saying "Look, gov't. has been living beyond its' means for decades, but so have *most* people, and we all have to face up to it, accept the contraction, falling house prices, and lower pay"
The problem though? The stimulus was designed to keep the gov't. workers in the life they were accustomed to, and in the meantime, the economy would expand the NEXT bubble to give the illusion that this ponzi scheme of paying gov't workers too much, the lie of SSA, and Medicare was OK as long as we got ours. Geez, even our "poor" would be middle class in *most* Nations!!!
This is the death knell. Too bad for Pres. Obama that there is NO bubble to make it *seem* he fixed things.
Ronald Reagan
ever noticed
Submitted by grammajane on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 4:24pm.
Ever noticed that since Mochelle Obama made the covers of vougue, good housekeeping, field and stream, time, newsweek, etc. with her bare arms, that Mika hardly lets a day go by, without her armless dresses. Kind of proves she follows, has no taste or opinion of her own, kind of like most libs who follow and say all the same remarks.
Morning Joe, You Just Plain Blow
Submitted by Motormouth KOS on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 5:37pm.
First, Barry Hussein doesn't know what he wants so he wouldn't know who to control and why. This empty-headed narcissist is still in disbelief that his toothy smile isn't getting him what he wants.
And I sense the beginning of the end...
Even though the lame stream media will still be licking his nub, the very earliest cracks in the Coalition of Enablers is starting to show.
I see the beginning of the end.
The Obamination... A crisis leading to a catastrophe..(please donate to MRC)
Why the hell is Bubbles Brzezynski on TV anyway?
Submitted by djwolf12 on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 6:28pm.
She is only good for 1 or 2 word answers, she constantly stares into the camera, and she is a host on a Morning Show???? I swear she is proving that someone can have an IQ in negative numbers
Three reasons why she has the gig and two are sagging........
Submitted by Tomorama on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 6:39pm.
Funny, the last few days there has been some, SOME backlash on this show against Sotero and the whole panel earlier in this show agreed that Obama indeed made a speech yesterday BUT SAID NOTHING and Meeeeeeka would have none of that and some lib asked "OK, what did he say then"..........
SHE PROCEEDED TO READ WHAT HE SAID WORD FOR WORD, meaning the nitwit, never was BIMBO didn't get it, "honey" he talked, BUT SAID NOTHING WORTH LISTENING TOO...
Do you understand now "honey" or does your socialist Daddy need to explain it to you?
Finally, something I agree
Submitted by deerjerkydave on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 7:57pm.
Finally, something I agree with Joe on. If Obama really wanted to maintain the AAA credit rating of the United States with S&P then he would have gotten it done one way or another. Obama is great in front of a teleprompter, but he has no idea what he is doing once it's turned off.
------------------------
"The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the Federal Government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State Governments are numerous and indefinite. -James MadisonA small group of people with integrity...
Submitted by Robert17 on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 11:27pm.
...is actually very powerful. Since Obama has none, he's in a bad way.
well, well, well?
Submitted by ironhead4099 on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 1:39am.
Well once again I'm convinced that Joe Scab is going to run for Congress again. He has been doing a lot of talking lately trying to get on the good side of republicans. Of course given who he works with, for and who is quest are, you don't have to be a Rocket Scientist to show some intelligence on his network.
You may have an excellent point
Submitted by Blonde on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 1:48am.
...and one I'd not considered.
He's more than tired of being in the basement of obscurity that is MSNBC.
Question is....WHERE does he base his campaign? Even though I'm a lifelong Floridian, I can't imagine we'd be nice enough to forgive him his transgressions (not to mention his DEAD STAFFER).
Can Joe say "Congressman from New Yawk"?
Nah, didn't think so.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Missing the point
Submitted by callamac on Wed, 08/10/2011 - 3:24am.
"As much as I love the Tea Party, a huge part of their success stems from the weakness of Barack Obama. A minority faction in one chamber of Congress should not be wielding the kind of power this fledgling movement is."
-I think you're missing the point....Barak Obama is not exactly weak…he still owns the drive-by media. Rather, he only seems weak BECAUSE the “fledging” tea party house members are backed by a STRONG segment of the U.S. population who are making sure that their voices are heard. Moreover, in my point of view, these same house members are STRONGER because of their constituencies own strength; which you can see through the effect their having on other republicans, who in the past have been wishy-washy, even spineless in their stances…who are now being FORCED to reflect a stronger sense of conservatism.
-This is a good thing.