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

[mesuki]

Joe's wife would have to be a saint to put up with him. He's an arrogant self centered bastard!

[aofh]

She makes a good point. He's saying that political "silly season" is the norm, and endorses it. If the bathroom story wasn't about a McCain supporter, he probably would have stayed on the set.

We are long overdue for a new way of doing politics in this country.

[crease]

Rachel could kick sissy boy Joe`s butt anytime anywhere, she knows what she is talking about and is smart as hell. She is going to become one of the best in the political arena for a long long time.

[Vige]

Rachel has a brain and is a Rhodes Scholar. Joe is no match for her.

A graduate of Castro Valley High School in Castro Valley, California, Maddow later obtained a degree in public policy from Stanford University in 1994. She then received a Rhodes Scholarship in 1995 and used it to obtain a D.Phil. in political science from Lincoln College, Oxford University. Her political activism has focused on AIDS and prisoners' rights, especially the prevention of the spread of HIV and AIDS in prisons. She is also an outspoken advocate for gay and lesbian issues.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Maddow

[samson24]

A Randy Rhodes Scholar?

[ron071]

Is that the best from samson24 who deals with a factual biography with a stupid joke?

[BDHUH]

Saw Joe (Morning BLOW) on Bill Maher - he bogarted the discussion - interrupting repeatedly. When Bill tried to control him (gently) he leaned into the other guest in an unambiguous power move. He's got no game.

[BlackmaninAmerica]

That's funny. Joe was taken aback by Rachel's knowledge of a potential McSame scandal.

[ninthlevelmonk]

I'm glad he wasn't condescending. He might have come across as a real jerk.

[alltwisty]

Hee!!!

[larose501]

Poor lil baby, If he can't stand the heat he's got to get out of the kitchen

[pithymaxim]

do you think he's clinically depressed?

[sandiaview]

He doesn't like being whipped about the ears by a girl...Mr. Macho is a real cry baby. He likes to pull "fact" out of his rear and how dare anyone question him.

[jwsub28]

I was watching Tim Russert show this morning and he had Chuck Dodd and David Gregory on. David was defending ABC saying it was not fair for people to be upset about the nature of the questions. I am really getting sick of these so called journalists. Especially David, he is really rubbing me the wrong way lately. Tim Russert will do the same thing, week after week. They take something and beat it to death.
Chris Matthews had McCain on his college tour, that was a joke. Where was the substance questions? Ask him about his waterboarding bill? Ask about the war and the millions of people displaced in that country? What does McCain consider to be Victory? It was a complete waste of time. What would be the chance of a Fox News son getting to ask a question on Chris Matthews show? Geez, how did that happen?
I emailed over some questions for Georgie S. who is hosting McCain on his show Sunday, do you think he took NOTES?

[samson24]

I know what you mean. The so called real journalist need to stop asking Obama any questions.
I was hoping the Pope was coming th the US to anoint Barak Obama as the CHOSEN ONE. He did ,
didn't he?

[sandiaview]

Georgie Porgie will not be taking notes! All of the news guys and girls are trying to find some justification for this debate spectacle. Cynthia McFadden said that the questions were on target and that the audience's eyes glazed over when they asked the serious questions. She tried to say they did great work and gave the public what they wanted. Did she read any of the blogs or comments at ABC's website? How condescending!

[ron071]

The ABC " debate " was on a level appropriate to Cynthia McFadden.

[ObamaSuperDelegate]

I saw both also, and yes, Matthews did ask Barack tougher questions than he did McCain. Such a double standard. The media acts like they are afraid of McCain, always giving him a free pass. It has to end!

[Dansden]

Rachel Maddow-
the definition of a contemporary journalist with integrity, courage and sticks with the facts!
She needs her OWN SHOW! Methinks the 'Morning Schmoe' show will SOON need a NEW HOST.....
'A Cup of Schmoe' should be replaced with
'Rise and Shine with Rachel!

[missionimpossible]

No....then I won't be able to see the show if its in the morning!!!

[mamacat]

Joe to everyone else: "If you won't let me shout you down anytime I feel like it, then I'm not going to play with you."

[AceInTheHole]

Does this clown's (running away from a woman/girl) actions exemplify the old saying, "IF YOU CAN'T STAND THE HEAT ,GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN" now you see why none of these cowardly bullies, ever volunteered to go to the Nam, they are like all other cowardly bullies, they won't fight unless they think that they have an unfair advantage.
But IN REALITY, HISTORY HAS PROVEN OVER AND OVER THAT IN THE END,COWARDLY BULLIES, NEVER REALLY HAVE A DECISIVE ADVANTAGE AND NEVER WILL HAVE THE FINAL VICTORY even when they think that they can because IN THE END THEY WILL ALWAYS come out AS LOSERS. BECAUSE IT'S THEIR FATE, TO LOSE AND FATE IS THE ONE THING THAT NOBODY CAN EVER CHANGE, You can run but you can't hide from your fate because fate is final justice after evil has run it's course and is called to account. and to ante up and pay for all of the damage it has inflicted.

[newslamp]

Your CAPS LOCK is on.

[longnow]

It was a draw with the last word going to Scar. "Defining your opponent" is a euphemism for
dragging him down, lying, smearing, digging up dirt, twisting facts, questioning his manhood,
dragging down his family, guilt by association, Guilt by disassociation, blackmailing friends
and former friends, robbing and stealing, and in Scar's case murder.

[Jared137]

Love Rachel...s­o calm, cool and collected. She really knows her sh#t. Joey on the other hand needs to go back to journalism 101 and review his playing in the sandlot rules. What a flagrantly pompous fool.

[ron071]

How can he " go back " to a class he never took?

[timetorevolt]

MSNBC have a group of female journalist who are afraid to stand up to the bullies. Rachel Maddow is the exeception.

Joe bullies Mika evey morning which is why I stopped watching.
Buchanan told that black female journalist to shut up and she didn't retialte.
Imus harrased Contesa Brewer to tears every morning until she quit reading the news during his show. However, I have no sympathy for Contessa because just last week I heard her claiming McCain comment on staying in Iraq for 100 years was being taken out of context. I didn't hear her do the same about the Rev. Wright story.

MSNBC isn't going to do a damn thing about the all white male bullies unless the women demand they are respected. Don't be afraid because the only one with balls is Olbermann.

Rachel has busted the one ball Joe had. Good for her..

[missionimpossible]

So....wher­e is Joe's other ball?

[mcthorogood]

it never dropped

[DefeatAllNeocons]

David Gregory is MC Roves backup singer, watch the youtube. I think that's what his show is all about, too. Democratic candidate destroyer. He's a neocon mouthpiece. But Rachel rocks!

Rush Limbo: "Has anybody ever heard of Rachel Maddow?

[vat6948]

Poor Joe, is the polish rubbing off your star at MSNBC? Dear Joe, you'd fit right in at FOX.