Joe Scarborough: “The Most Conservative Guy At A Liberal TV Network”

by Steve Krakauer | 9:24 am, August 19th, 2010

» 29 comments

MSNBC’s resident former GOP congressman Joe Scarborough is the subject of a lengthy, glowing profile in this month’s GQ. Tagline: “If everyone on television were like MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough, television would be a much more civilized place.”

But what may be most interesting is how he describes his employer – the “liberal TV network” MSNBC.

It’s clear from the outset that Lisa DePaulo is a fan: “To really understand Joe Scarborough, to understand why he’s the conservative liberals suddenly think is swell, to understand why Morning Joe has become the best and most buzzed-about political show on television…”

But the most significant quotes come from Scarborough himself:

I’m the most conservative guy at a liberal TV network. And believe it or not, they considered me to be a liberal guy on my radio network [ABC]. Where Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity work. They actually told me, ‘We never had a liberal working for us before. It’ll be interesting selling advertising.’ And I sat there thinking, ‘I want to shut down the Department of Education and send all the money back home to the states. Who’s more conservative than me?’

Commenters – your thoughts? Obviously, Scarborough’s independent streak, on display for three hours a day on MSNBC, has turned some conservatives against him and some liberals thinking he’s turning a corner. Still, he says he’s proud of “the fact that I have survived at MSNBC. For seven years. It has been a tough ride.”

There’s also an interesting section about Hillary Clinton, who Scarborough’s staff says he has a crush on. “If I do have a crush on her, that means I’m turned on by competence,” he said.

Finally, to get a good idea of what it’s like in a live TV control room, here’s a description of one morning and Morning Joe EP Chris Licht. Hide the kids:

Then CNN is slow to release Hillary, who is supposed to be live on Morning Joe—like, now. “I’m gonna fucking punch John Roberts myself,” says Licht. “Fuck, they’re giving it to us a minute and a half late. Fucking assholes.” He instructs another producer to tell Fox News, where Hillary is going next, that she may be a bit late, “because unlike CNN, I’m not a douchebag!” Then he starts flipping out because there’s only one feed from Haiti and it’s going to the freaking Today show.

(photo by GQ‘s Finlay MacKay)

GQ, joe scarborough, morning joe, msnbc

NORBIT

What did they redact “RADICAL”? – lol!!!
NORBIT

Actually, Joe makes that the best show on msnbc – almost FAIR & BALANCED enough to make it a FOX show!!
Some_Dude

Two thoughts:

1. Of course MSNBC is a liberal network, this shouldn’t be a shocking revelation by any means

2. The fact that Scarborough is even considered somewhat liberal should be a clue that the the other side of the media aisle is extreme in their practices and coverage
http://apostrophejones.com Apostrophe jones

Hey Joe , still waiting for the new , improved Joe and Mika radio show . Coming back soon ?
JimBob

I don’t know. I am a die hard conservative. I am not sure what Joe is.
Most of what I have seen and heard on Morning Joe the few mornings
I forgot Imus was no longer there and tuned in by mistake , is Joe and Mica making goo-goo
eyes at each other and trying hard not to be obvious, Joe interupting everyone constantly
in a very LOUD and me know it all manner, Barnicle pretending he is intelligent and having
a very hard time pulling that feat off! Willie acting goofy as always! I am not sure Joe fits MSNBC at all except for his low ratings.
The Real Royal King

NORBIT said:
Actually, Joe makes that the best show on msnbc – almost FAIR & BALANCED enough to make it a FOX show!!

No. Joe actually does some news. No place for that at FOX, as last night clearly demonstrated.

IF NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS
FOX HAD SUCH A GREAT NIGHT,
NO NEWS WAS REPORTED
NO NEWSMAN WAS IN SIGHT.
The Real Royal King

I tend to find Joe is big gas bag most of the time, but he does have some commentators and guests who can be very good at times. I thought Buchanan’s take down of the Newt, essentially for being a Nazi obsessed xenophobe was classic. Perhaps, the best thing on morning television since Speedy Gonzalez.

IF NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS
FOX HAD SUCH A GREAT NIGHT,
NO NEWS WAS REPORTED
NO NEWSMAN WAS IN SIGHT.
http://apostrophejones.com Apostrophe jones

JOE , MIKA , AND GOOD OLD WILLIE
DRINK COFFEE , ACT SILLY
DISCUSS THE ISSUES , TELL JOKES
………….FOX NO GOOD ……………..

Mika should smack Joe for all his interruptions and pontificating . Nobody sits still there for long . I figure they’re going to the bathroom , or just have had enough and have to walk it off .
Azarkhan

“And I sat there thinking, ‘I want to shut down the Department of Education and send all the money back home to the states.” Joe Scarborough

Nice plug for Sharron Angle. Thanks Steve!
RichardBraincase

Wow, how old is that profile that they quote him as having a radio show.
Moderate

” a lengthy, glowing profile in this month’s GQ.”

When a TV show is being pumped by the liberal media, it usually means they are about to crash and burn.
RichardBraincase

Moderate said:
When a TV show is being pumped by the liberal media, it usually means they are about to crash and burn.

That show is becoming increasingly harder to watch.
The Real Royal King

GQ is the liberal media? I thought it was largely fashion and lifestyle, particularly sex.

IF NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS
FOX HAD SUCH A GREAT NIGHT,
NO NEWS WAS REPORTED
NO NEWSMAN WAS IN SIGHT.
Constantly

The Real Royal King said:
GQ is the liberal media? I thought it was largely fashion and lifestyle, particularly sex.

IF NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS
FOX HAD SUCH A GREAT NIGHT,
NO NEWS WAS REPORTED
NO NEWSMAN WAS IN SIGHT.

None of which you have, eh?
redwriteblue

Joe Scarborough has written two interesting books about when he was a young Congressman and his interactions with Newt Gingrich, the then House Majority Leader. He is very critical about Mr. Gingrich who may be the Republican “establisment” favorite over Sarah Palin in the Republican Primary Elections in 2012.

In both of his books he does not reveal why Newt Gingrich quit his post as the House Majority Leader.

Joe Scarborough is a likeable morning TV host as he gets into mock “arguments” with the anti-doughnut co-host Mikka Bresinski and is one of those conservartives like Karl Rove, George W. Bush and Dick Armey that favor a “Immigration Reform” that provides a “Pathway to Citizenship” for the 20 million Illegal Immigrants working in the U.S, Click Link:

http://www.tcunation.com/profiles/blogs/changing-the-image-of
http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Gregory-Backus/615261184 James Gregory Backus

To the NeoCon Reich Wing Sheep that follow Fox – the World is Liberal and they don’t know how to stop it; so they “home school their children” or indoctrinate them into Jesus Camp, then Young Republicans (formerly Aryann Nation Camps), then to Jerry Falwell Liberty College (or Oral Roberts or any of the other non-credited “faith” Universities) to continue the brainwashing – they then of course, have to try and discredit science, history, truth, facts and light – for their world cannot exist in the open and on fact – but deceit, distortion, hate and anger, just like their predecessors the Nazi’s.

It’s quite disturbing how they cannot debate on fact – but only on party lines, in lock-step/goose-step with their morning talking point memos from Roger Ailes/Frank Luntz/Bill Kristol and the Ministry of Lies called Fox (aka News Corp.). Their cult of hate and fear (some might call them the New KKK) works – when frightening the elderly or the ignorant – the Reich-Wing Republicans cultivate ignorance – and they do not want to be educated for then they would have to question everything – and it’s just easier to be stupid and let someone think for them. It’s too bad the Republicans have been eaten by the underbelly of our society and good nature.

The Republicans have been giving away liberties and freedoms for the past 30 years – starting with giving Australian propagandist Rupert Murdoch citizenship for money to Reagan (to distort and cover his “arms for hostages deal, to the Republican place Shaw of Iran, then Saddam in Iraq, and the Saudi’s that they still suck off. Tenants of the Republican Party since Reagan/Bush2: Propaganda, Torture, Wire-Tapping American Citizens, a stolen Election (appointed by a Republican USSC), election tampering by the RNC (Ohio/Florida), Illegal Wars based on intentionally false intel (Bush/Cheney); Worst Terrrorist attack against America in our history (Bush – Ignored his PDB); now want “Profiling” (AZ); the worst economy in nearly 100 years (Bush/Cheney); have pushed to allow corporations to have influence over elected officials (Citizens United a RNC PAC); and too many other negatives to continue – bottom line – The Democrats and Liberals that said Bush was more in line with the policies of Nazi Germany were correct. Propaganda, torture, profiling, wire-tapping citizens, smearing and attacking any dissenting views (Fox/Murdoch outlets) – is in line with Adolf Hitler. Discredit the facts NeoCons. You can’t, you will attempt to smear, lie and distort, but now that is becoming so well known, you’ll soon lose all credibility, if you have any left at all.
http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Gregory-Backus/615261184 James Gregory Backus

*(not proofed for typos – you get the gist).
lonestar77

James Gregory Backus says:
August 19, 2010 at 12:27 pm (Quote)
“a bunch of crazy stuff”

Okay, was that Glynnis or Tommy? Don’t be scared to post under your “staff” moniker.
Permatiltx

Apostrophe jones said:
JOE , MIKA , AND GOOD OLD WILLIE
DRINK COFFEE , ACT SILLY
DISCUSS THE ISSUES , TELL JOKES
………….FOX NO GOOD ……………..

Mika should smack Joe for all his interruptions and pontificating . Nobody sits still there for long . I figure they’re going to the bathroom , or just have had enough and have to walk it off .

Actually, nobody sits there for long because they block time out for their guests. Usually they have other shows to do. It’s tough to get a guy for a full hour in the morning. Heck, tougher to get people for three. So, no, not walking off in disgust. Actually, the show is quite good when it comes to debating the issues. I think Mika does want to slap Joe sometimes. You can see it in her eyes.
Azarkhan

“It’s quite disturbing how they cannot debate on fact – but only on party lines, in lock-step/goose-step with their morning talking point memos from Roger Ailes/Frank Luntz/Bill Kristol and the Ministry of Lies called Fox (aka News Corp.). ” James Gregory Backus

Sieg Heil, motherfucker!
writer

MSNBC is liberal? Damn, they’re hiding it awfully well.
Constantly

“The Most Conservative Guy At A Liberal TV Network” is that like “The Least Retarded Guy at the Special Olympics”?
Nachi

Joe is a joke. And another Born-Agin Christian malcontent. Have another sip of Jesus Juice, Little Joe! Yup.
StewartIII

NewsBusters: Joe Scarborough Puffed by GQ as the Sultan of Civility, As He Claims No One’s More Conservative Than He Is
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tim-graham/2010/08/19/joe-scarborough-puffed-gq-sultan-civility-claims-no-ones-more-conservati
Sambeaux

James Gregory Backus. What did you just say? Are you really Rev. Jesse Jackson? Rumbling, bumbling stumbling!!
http://gordonbloyershow.com gordonbloyershow

Latest P.U. poll on RRK. 36 thumbs down to 13 thumbs up.
RRK you are one hell of guy.
http://none pyrope

Kind of like saying Adolph Eichmann was the most humanitarian person in the Third Reich.
http://none pyrope

gordonbloyershow said:
Latest P.U. poll on RRK. 36 thumbs down to 13 thumbs up.RRK you are one hell of guy.

Gordo, I believe The Real Royal Knutjob is a masochist–he actually enjoys getting negative input to his purposely idiotic statements. It’s probably the only sexual release the poor creature has. Logic totally defies the possibility that anyone could be so utterly stupid and still be literate. I admit that others sometimes come close (BFD comes to mind), but TRRK is in a class all by himself.
dlauf87

Some_Dude said:
Two thoughts:

1. Of course MSNBC is a liberal network, this shouldn’t be a shocking revelation by any means

2. The fact that Scarborough is even considered somewhat liberal should be a clue that the the other side of the media aisle is extreme in their practices and coverage

I love how you guys throw out the word “extreme” like your some kind of adrenaline junkie. It’s not extreme when you endorse the opinions on the issues that are shared by a majority of the country.