Sometimes you just want to shake the TV and say "enough with the cutesy facial expressions, already: spit it out, Mika!" Morning Joe mavens will know what I mean: Mika Brzezinski has the annoying habit of letting a series of sighs, raised eyebrows and facial tics substitute for a clear articulation of her position on a given issue.
There was a prime example of the phenomenon on today's show, when after rolling a clip of Bibi Netanyahu criticizing the prospective Iran deal, Mika announced that she would "reserve" comment, satisfying herself yet again with dramatic pauses, grimaces, etc. [see example below].
When pressed for some literal language, Mika let it be known she thought Bibi should wait for deal terms to be announced before criticizing. Really? Doesn't it make eminent sense to express objections while the parties are still at the table and can do something about it, rather than waiting to be confronted with a fait accompli?
You can read the transcript below, but readers are urged to view the video in order to fully appreciate Mika's non-verbal rendering of her thoughts. Could facial expressions and sighs be the refuge of those unable to articulate cogent arguments?
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: Andrea [Mitchell] says without new obstacles emerging, officials are expected to announce a deal soon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is meeting with John Boehner in Israel [dramatic pause]. The Prime Minister launched [adopts saracastic tone] a pre-emptive strike as a deal with Iran appears within reach.
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: Iran is accelerating its campaign of terror, subjugation and conquest throughout the region, most recently in Yemen. The concessions offered to Iran in Lausanne would ensure a bad deal that would endanger Israel, the Middle East and the peace of the world.
BRZEZINSKI [opens mouth as if to speak, stops]: Mike Barnicle? I -- [stops].
MIKE BARNICLE: The entire region is in flames. We got an entire section of the globe at war with each other. The idea that the White House would deny that the linkage between new weapons releases to Egypt has anything new with what's happening in Yemen or the rise of ISIS is preposterous.
BRZEZINSKI: I'm stuck on the Netanyahu-Boehner press conference. But I'm going to reserve at this point.
BARNICLE: Why?
BRZEZINSKI: You know, because I think I made my point clear. And they just continue to dig deeper. Really? Can you wait a few hours and see what this deal looks like?
BARNICLE: They don't even know what the deal accomplishes.
BRZEZINSKI: Oh, no they do. They know. He says it's terrible. So he must have had it faxed [sighs]. Come on.
