Joe Scarborough Walks Off MSNBC's "Race To The White House" After Exchange With Rachel Maddow

Update from MSNBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines to Huffington Post:
"Joe didn't walk off. He chose not to participate in the final couple of minutes of the discussion because he felt the conversation didn't fit his role as a political analyst."

Previously:
Did Joe Scarborough walk out of David Gregory's show "Race to the White House" Thursday night on MSNBC? It seems that way by the video below. Joe was a panelist on the show along with Air America's Rachel Maddow, CNBC's John Harwood and former Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford, Jr.

The panel was discussing the effect of Sen. Obama's personal and professional relationships on his campaign when Rachel and Joe disagreed. Joe started to challenge Rachel's argument that relationships only become an issue when a political opponent makes them an issue, but she cut him off, "Let me make my point and then you can dismiss me." She then finished with an example of a McCain campaign co-chair in Florida's bathroom activities.

After a commercial break, Joe prefaced his rebuttal to Rachel's point by saying "I don't engage in Crossfire-type debates and certainly I don't want to talk about what people do in bathrooms." When he finished speaking, and after David Gregory had shut Joe vs. Rachel down, John Harrow came on camera. Then, viewers can hear Joe taking off his microphone (2:47 into the below video). When the panel picture came back, no Joe.

Watch Rachel and Joe make their points, hear Joe unplug, and then (after a jump) see the panel after Joe has gone:

Pictures of before and after:

Comments

[brend]

You go Joe, your my man.

[RoboA2008]

I want to get this out to the mainstream media about how Fox news and others have been guilty of a gross injustice to Rev. Wright.

Subject:* Fox caught red handed. Made false video and lied about Obama's
pastor.
*
Fox news doctored and falsified the video of Obama's pastor Wright. Wright
did not preach those words himself. He was quoting a White Man.; Ambassador
Edward Peck. And he is a retired, white, career U.S. diplomat who served
32-years in the U.S. Foreign Service and was chief of the U.S. mission to
Iraq under Jimmy Carter. The complete video below will show that Pastor
Wright is telling his audience that "I will tell you what a white man named
Ambassador Peck said". And then he will quote Mr. Peck. And he ends by
reminding his congregation "A white man said this, I didn't say it". Fox
didn't show that because they wanted people to think it came from Pastor
Wright.*

Fox news is the bottom of the barrel; Full of hate and thoroughly racist.

Here's the evidence.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQ&feature=related**

[americanwhocares]

How cute: the wacko right wing nut "pundits cannot stand the heat when they get out of their controlled element in their studio’s, they cry and whine and act like little babies and proclaim they will take their ball(s) and go home (crying all the way home to Mommy). Bill O'Rielly had a hissy fit when someone blocked his camera at an Obama gathering; Bob Novak left in a huff during a show when someone questioned him and the pathetic Joe Scarborough had his poor feeling hurt and walked out like a little kid during an show. Right wingers are a pathetic group of people and they prove it every day. I just wish people that listened to their lies would show that that have two or more brain cells that function and stop watching/listening to these clowns.

[aquarius2001]

Joe is a mysoginist. Ever hear how he speaks to Mika (his co-host)? I love Rachel for not backing down to him and getting her point across...whether he liked it or not!!!!

[Fan035]

Rachel Maddow is classy, intelligent and witty. She's probably the best thing about Gregory's new show. As for Joe Scar., he needs to swallow his pride and participate like a gentleman or stay off the show for good.

[lenoirlady]

Amen to all the above! Ad beautiful and you have it down chapter and verse.

[joetrade]

If you are tired of all the BS on the MSM I urge you to get Dish TV and tune in to "Democracy Now".This is the most refreshing news program on TV where you won't find the multi-million dollar spin artists .

[PACRAT]

What is with the MSNBC male wimps?

Joe loves to hear himself spout "wise "observations - so does Chris and now even Keith is starting to do the same. Do these characters spend too much time together, or what? These people should be more knowledgeable than the rest of us because they have staffs to screen the news and then write their comments for them - as thought they have original thoughts - the trouble starts when they add their own opinions as though they are factual and we are too dumb to know the difference.

We no longer watch Joe or Chris - and are getting pretty tired of Keith. They all want their guests to agree with them! Ah, the power of the on/off switch!

Time to bring on some new folks soon - maybe they are just burned out by this endless campaign!

[Rita1]

There is a large clump of agreement here that Joe is spoiled and can not tolerate Rachell speaking, on any subject, without getting prickly with her. Joe maybe has some personal issues and needs to get a grip, or leave permanently, but to stage a walk-off during a commercial break from a live broadcast is usually grounds for firing. Something must be going on with Joe.

[Rocky4356]

Joe is a Wimp. Really love these patriotic wimps. They wear flags made in China on their chest while other folks kids go and fight and die. Joe is a bitter sexist. What happened is Rachell didn't play the Mika stooge he has everyday. Having a woman stand up to the wimp is like someone say I will not allow the bully to bully me anymore. Joe ran out like the little girl he is.

[Collielady]

You have accurately characterized so many Republicans I know. From 2000-2006, they went around thumping their chests, but after the Nov. '06 midterm election, they've been doing a slow burn. Their world is imploding. The curtain has been pulled back, exposing their fears. Imagine! A female outsmarting him! Joe Scarborough is an angry, frightened little boy who would wet himself if he got anywhere near Iraq. He's just like all the other arm-chair Republican soldiers I know.

[elr50]

You denigrate women and little girls. I don't know any little girl who is not better than Scarborough.

[johnl22]

Did anybody actually listen to the substance of what's being discussed? Maddow's assertions are just plain wrong. The Reverend Wright issue was not brought on by any of Obama's opponents. Rather, video of the pastor was recovered and the media, recognizing how big a story it was, continually played the tape and discussed it. The Wright controversy did not become an issue because Clinton made it an issue - in fact she didn't comment on it until nearly two weeks after the tapes were released. Maddow is a far left Democrat on the Obama bandwagon that cannot be trusted for objective analysis.

[BarryChamplain]

Ah, another apologist troll, with a number after its screen name.

Inquring minds still wanna know: is that some sort of pay code?


FYI, the only people who use the epithet "far left" to denigrate inconvenient people, are paid propagandists. See also: "Bill O'Reilly". Just a friendly piece of advice: don't be tipping your hand like that.

[johnl22]

A couple of things.

First, you failed to address the reason for my post in the first place which was to say that Maddow's claims were factually inaccurate.

Second, Rachel Maddow is a very liberal, or far left Democrat just like many consider President Bush a very conservative, or far right Republican. The statement is not intended to be denigrating in any way but just to demonstrate that some of their views probably don't represent that of much of America - which is in the middle. The fact is it is hard to trust her supposedly objective political analysis when she and Olbermann rail against Clinton on a nightly basis.

[killlthekingg]

I completely agree. MSNBC is basically a platform for Obama cheerleaders .. maybe you wouldn't go as far to say that but its true. Take the Gallup poll as an example, when BO was ahead by 11points majority of MSNBC commentators/analysts swore by that poll but when HC trounced over that lead & went ahead they never mentioned it yet threw that new newsweek (considering the obvious bias of there print I wouldn't trust those numbers) poll where BO is ahead by 20points all over their programs. As for the quinnipiac PA poll they used plenty of times, they continually mislead the public by saying BO diminished her lead of 11points to 6points however she increased her lead of 6 to 9 in just these past few days.

[Beka13]

What she was simply asking was why hasnt the media made more of a big deal with this guilt by association thing with McCains Florida Campaign chair who was soliticing for sex in a public restroom. That is what he got so upset about and walked out...seems its a hole in the very soft armor of McBush.

[BlackWidowPilot]

Johnnyboy, what planet are you on? Oh, sorry, I forgot that from the content of your post you're a true-believer Bushevik, a loyal partisan of the "party of family values." Lets' review the actual performance record of your vaunted GOP in this arena:

http://www.armchairsubversive.org

"Family values" like Caligula or the locals in THE HILLS HAVE EYES.

Your hero Scarface Joey Scarborough is just another corporate presstitute battling for the continued reign of blood and error of the "Gang of PEdophiles

[johnl22]

These responses are too funny. When in that post did I ever mention family values? And sorry to break the news to you, but I'm not a Republican. I just have the sense to realize when someone's right or wrong no matter what party they're affiliated.

[KarateKid]

When you look at Tucker Carlson and Joe Scarborough, you can see the bitterness on their faces and hear it in their voices. The people they supported turned out to be profligate spenders and hypocrites to the hilt, worse than the Democrats they replaced, and now they have nothing to do except try to sully the Democratic candidate most likely to win, Obama. So they talk about Hillary's virtuous fighting spirit when a few years ago, they wanted her hubby impeached.

Have some sympathy for Joe and Tucker, their party has been destroyed by Bush and they will be the minority party for a long time, and only have their whining left.

Rachel's kicking tail of the whiner Joe is only the beginning. I live in Denny Hastert's district and for the first time in memory in this very red district, a Democrat won. Rush, Sean, Coultergeist, Drudge et. al. will have plenty to whine about in the years to come.

[Beka13]

Yep Republicans were duped...poor elitist white men boo hooo they are losing their power because they have done such a bad job of taking care of the planet.

[nomobull]

dear mr gaines we are too smart to buy your explamation. he got a taste of his own medicine and he didn't like it. he exposed himself for the jerk he is.

[ElGore]

You know, that show really is awful. David has the worst timing, always interupting people midsentence. I give it a few more weeks. Perhaps, once the show is mercifully cancelled, Rachel "The Joe Destroyer" Maddow will get her own show. Did anyone see her audition on Keith's show? She can hold her own and isn't as meek as those yellow DLC fools.

[mrsbee]

I agree with everyone who is cheering Rachel on...Joe Scarborough is a chauvanistic jerk with a big mouth..that says nothing...i've suffered through many viewings of Morning Joe jsut to see the guests...finally stopped watching...Mika is either a masochist or is in it for the money...I can't stand David Gregory either...loves to hear himself talk more than he moderates his own panel...I've already written to MSNBC to give Rachel her own show to replace Scarborough's

[amira1201]

I also like rachel she has alot of carisma and she is straight forward and very informed about most topics. JOE SCARBOROGH IS AWFUL HE IS VERY RUDE WITH PEOPLE AND HE IS A KNOW IT ALL, HE HATES OBAMA, EVERYTIME I TURN ON HIS SILLY MORNING JOE I FEEL LIKE SLAPPING HIM.

[TERRYKEITH4]

Do like me and don't watch him anymore.

[virto]

I'll second that. In just a few years, Maddow has gone from hosting what was once a somewhat quirky and awkward radio show on Air America to one of the most incisive, gracious, and most watchable political commentators in this country -- on radio and TV -- and she does it all without resorting to sophistry or blatant distortions on which most of her peers rely so heavily.

She's a breath of fresh air.

[Leebot]

I LOVE that expression on Rachel's face in the video still above! She is a treasure and has quickly become one of my favorites. Agree with those who'd like to see her get her own show. I've become so weary of many of the pundits on TV, that I find myself gravitating toward the more thoughtful and articulate -- those who can make their points with intelligence, humor, confidence -- yet still remain gracious and respectful toward their co-panelists.

Whether Rachel was right or Joe was right in this particular exchange (which I saw) is beside the point. Courtesy still counts for something in my book, particularly in this increasingly acrimonious primary, and I have also become weary of the condescending one-upsmanship and the habit of interrupting/speaking over that seems to be Joe's M.O. (Pat Buchanan is equally obnoxious; I find myself reaching for the OFF button on the remote when everyone starts talking over each other. Well at least "Race to the White House" finally stopped playing all that driving music during the commentary, and it seems as though they have calmed the pace just a bit to allow their panelists to finish a thought.)

(As a side note: Gwen Ifill is a moderator I'd like to see handle the next presidential debate! I think she'd bring a lot more substance to the table than the goofballs on Wednesday.)

[JMEB]

Joe Scarborough is one of the mildest, calmest right-wing radio hosts.

If this got him riled up, it should be a sign to Democratic strategists to hammer at McCain's supposedly unassailable record (it's dirty, dirty, dirty).

Consult with Rachel Maddow if you're unclear on how to proceed.

[thewrldneedsobama]

Morning Joe is a show I can't watch ..believe me I try.Since a lot of people have responded to this post we should send a petition to MSNBC to give Rachel Maddow a show!! what you guys think? sound off.
MSNBC we want Rachel Maddow Show!

[amira1201]

I TOTALY AGREE WITH YOU MORNING SHOW IS HORRIBLE, AND THEY HAVE NO DISIPLINE, THEY (MICCA AND JOE) ARE SO CORNY AND THEY SEEM TO BE SO CONFORTABLE WITH EACH OTHER. I ALSO REALIZED THEY ARE PRO-HILARY AND MCAINE, BUT THEY ALWAYS ATTACK OBAMA ON THE SLIGHTEST THING HE DOES, LIKE: BOWLING!

I CANT WAIT TO SEE SOMEONE LIKE RACHEL MADDOW WITH HER OWN SHOW! SHE IS VERY TALENTED.

MORNING JOE SHOULD BE TAKEN OF THE AIR!

[Jjc2006]

This post is a joke right?? Mika is pro Hillary? That's laughable. Her father and one brother work for the Obama campaign and her other brother works for McCain. Your post is the perfect example of how blindly biased this site is.

[TERRYKEITH4]

We want Rachel! We want Rachel!