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03 Jul 2011 12:42

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Politics: Looking back: Why Mark Halperin’s quip is really par for the course

  • It would be nice to think that the rapidity of the official reaction had to do with legitimate disapproval. Actually, it is a reflex quickened by practice because what cable news now calls political journalism is set up to produce just this kind of ‘television moment’ and its attendant swirl of attention-getting faux controversy.
  • L.A. Times columnist Tim Rutten • Offering a room-clearing take on the whole situation with Mark Halperin and “Morning Joe.” To put it simply, he doesn’t think it’s actually any sort of controversy of the real kind, but instead an opportunity to create a conversation-of-the-day moment. (Which Halperin’s quip successfully did, by the way.) It’s an idea that started with Fox News but has kinda expanded from there. There’s even a site dedicated to this idea. And well, you know, he’s right. But it makes good TV, and that’s all that matters, right? source

12 Dec 2010 00:25

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Politics: “No Labels”: The center, annoyed by the election, goes Tea Party

  • You screw over the moderates, they’re gonna organize. That appears to be the message of “No Labels,” a new citizen-focused political group that includes such spurned political figures as Michael “Moderate God” Bloomberg, “Morning” Joe Scarborough, Mike “screwed by Christine O’Donnell” Castle, Charlie “screwed by Marco Rubio” Crist and Evan “I’ve had enough of this crap so I’m quitting the Senate” Bayh among its ranks. Each of those guys will be taking part in the webcast the group will use to launch its platform: “Not left. Not right. Forward.” We expect the partisans (on both sides) to dismiss this crazy idea in 3 … 2 … 1 … source

19 Nov 2010 22:14

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Politics: Joe Scarborough gets Olbermann treatment; world yawns

  • three number of candidates Keith Olbermann donated to, which led to his recent two-day suspension
  • eight number of candidates Joe Scarborough donated to; he’ll also get suspended for two days source
  • » Standards and stuff: It’s probably good to note that this double-standard between MSNBC and Fox remains bizarre. Fox News hosts (most notably Sarah Palin, who regularly endorses candidates and runs her own political action committee) don’t get treated this way. Honestly, we think that MSNBC has to loosen their standards for their political commentators. This is going to eventually come to a head in a more public way than either of these incidents. Know why we know this? Because Joe Scarborough is considering running on a presidential ticket with Michael Bloomberg in 2012. You think this crosses a line? What if that happens, guys?

18 Nov 2010 11:02

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Politics: Never too early: Here’s the first round of 2012 presidency news

  • obvious Sarah Palin, whose last two years have essentially been a dry run for the presidency, says she could possibly beat Obama in 2012.
  • spiffy In recent days, there’s been talk of Michael Bloomberg and MSNBC host Joe Scarborough running together on a moderate ticket.
  • vain In recent weeks, Donald Trump has been making a stink about running in 2012, too. Thing is, he brings this up every presidential cycle.

14 Feb 2010 22:41

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Politics: Max Headroom: Joe Biden’s smile kinda weirds us out a little


  • No second-guessing Dick Cheney’s daughter is gay, so his take on this might be different from many conservatives, but he’s willing to trust the military’s judgment on allowing gays in the military, calling it a “generational thing.” Good show, Dick.

  • Biden gnashes Cheney “Let me choose my words carefully here.” After being asked on about Dick Cheney’s take on Obama’s security, Joe Biden basically rips Cheney a new one, noting the underwear bomber was treated just like the shoe bomber.

  • Eye-rooooool A mini-war broke out between Fox News and MSNBC over Chris Wallace’s eye-roll after showing Sarah Palin’s interview on Fox News last week. Wallace quickly compares Joe Scarborough to “Son of Sam,” which is awesome.

14 Jun 2009 18:39

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Politics: Max Headroom: Sunday talk show recap for June 14, 2009

  • Health care heart attack On “Face the Nation,” Sen. Mitch McConnell brings out the doom and gloom of the possible nationalization of the health care system. Just like Canada.

  • Drama doesn’t helpOn “Meet the Press,” Joe Scarborough suggests that the recent Republican drama – against Sonia Sotomayor and David Letterman – might cost votes.

  • Fire the bastardSpeaking of, New York Republican Brian Kolb thinks CBS should fire David Letterman, according to this interview on “Fox & Friends.” Wow. That’s drama.