Mika Brzezinski Embraces Opinions: Objectivity "A Very Safe And Lazy Place To Be"

Mika Brzezinski doesn't mince words about what happened when CBS dropped her as a correspondent two years ago.

"Nobody wanted me," she says. "I spent a year looking for a job. You spend 10 years at a place, you gave your heart and soul and blood for it, and all of a sudden it's over? I was 40 and, quote, fired, and I'm sure people were thinking, what's wrong with her?"

No one is asking that now. Brzezinski has parlayed her role as co-host of MSNBC's morning show, with Joe Scarborough, into a syndicated radio show with the former congressman and a brand-new book deal. She is, for the first time, bursting with opinions.

"I've been in a box as a journalist for 20 years," she says. "That is a very safe and lazy place to be. You can hide behind objectivity. It is much harder to put yourself out there."

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[Moka11]

I am battling with myself over who's more of a pointless bore....Mika or Howard Kurtz.

I guess it's a tie and I'll move on now.

[NYCforObama]

Mika should try to talk over Joe Scab a little more. "Boring Joe" is an embarrassment.
Joe's a sexist, arrogant jerk and Mika cannot keep her gob shut.

They should give the programme to Barnicle.

[NoSandwiches]

This woman has no opinions, nor facts to command. She regurgitates whatever seems the most emotional response that the press is pushing, and she only has gut instincts to anything new that comes up in conversation. She is an embarassment--but the only one who tries to talk Joe down.

I have 50 times more respect for Joe and his opinions, because they are on the whole at least reasoned out and based mostly on things he is able to intellectually defend. I don't agree with 85% of what Joe says, but at least I can respect his opinion and occasional meander from the Republican marching line.

Please, oh please, find us someone with bona fida credentials who can actually carry on a real discussion -- a real arguement with Joe!

It doesn't have to be a "Racell Maddow" but should at least be someone who wants to do a little research beyond listening to talk radio on the way into work.

[Chumleysmom]

Hey! Kurtz! If you want to see a savvy, articulate, opinionated and independent thinking newswoman you'll have to watch Maddow's show.

The few times I've endured more than a couple of minutes of the show where Mika works, I've seen mostly passive white noise that passes for know-your-place 'co-hosting'. I find nothing admirable in her tolerance for Joe's opinions, manners and his complete disregard for anything she says.

[notreallyabadguy]

I agree with you 100%. Having Rachel on the show would serve the public interest because she has the skills to counter Joe's spin. Joe wouldn't stand for it, he has to have someone he can bully. Rachel would run him off the set in frustration every day. I think it was Hardball where she actually ran him off the set.

Mika gets a word in here and there but Joe easily dominates and shuts her down. He bullies everyone on the show.

[ECB]

I Agree.

It was "Race to the White House" which is now "1600 PA. Ave".

[Ramus]

He doesn't bully Chuck Todd. And I think Mika holds her own. Scarborough is sort of s dim bulb but he was smart to hire Mika. She does stand up to him. Women with lots of brothers know how to stand up to guys.

[solarian]

I think mika comes from stepford facory #5

[horsey]

I believe that, she certainly doesn't have very strong opinions of her own to make.

she's more like the cheese cake part of morning joe.

[cinemaven]

Yes Joe, no Joe, Oh Joe are not opinions.
I've watched as time and time again she's backed away from a stance when challenged and then come back the next day with an entirely new view that's more in line with what she was told. It's embarrassing to watch her.

[jonjon66]

how arrogant/idiotic....with same "guest" who never differ from Southern Comfront Joe

[lmab]

These two are way too close. When will Joe come clean and cut the wife loose. Mika coos like a lapdog around this creepy guy.

[ECB]

Get The FOH - Joe is tapping that ?

[lmab]

I have no proof....but I know Mika wears no shoes on the set and Joe smiles a lot. Careful, though. I know of at least one stiff in Joe's office, that was never explained.

[Beantownbadboy]

I" wouldn't" with yours. She's the biggest dimwit on the morning shows.PERIOD. If her name was Mika Smith, she'd be flipping burgers.

[bikerdude]

What a creepy, disgusting innuendo. I hope people who know you spread like rumors in an attempt to ruin your little life.

[lmab]

Hey Bikerdud...if you have a thing for Joe, come out and say it.

[nanton29]

Maybe its just me, but I like their chemistry. Mika keeps JS honest. I do not agree with those who think she is a pushover. Needless to say that she exudes sexy good vibes. Hey, but that is my opinion.

[bby328]

" . . . and I'm sure people were thinking, what's wrong with her?"

BULLSEYE.

[ebanks84]

Mike, drop the zero and get a hero for a change. You deserve better than that. Every woman does!

[ebanks84]

Mika is what I meant, .....

[jatoner]

Objectivity is a myth that is losing its power- Someone always determines which facts get on the air and which do not. Too often TV news objectivity means giving the truth, giving the position that is contrary to that truth (and usually has a financial stake in suppressing the truth) and letting the viewers sort it out. In the 1930's physicist realized that they were changing the result of experiments by their presence and measurements-Objectivity was replaced by relativity precisely because it became meaningless and useless in the ream of nuclear physics- popular culture needs to catch up to this scientific reality

[blythe9131]

I love Morning Joe and I love Joe and Mika. I enjoy listening to opinions that are very different from my own, that's how I figure out what REALLY, REALLY believe in. They had an awesome discussion about same sex marriage with Jonathon Capehart and Pat Buchanan this morning and I think that did more to enlighten me and anyone who was listening about the issue of equal marriage rights for all. And Joe was quick to make sure that Capehart did not feel attacked about his opinion of same sex marriage. And he actually argued the same sex marriage side to make sure that both sides were equally represented. That's the part I think most people miss about both Joe and Mika. I'm 100% sure Joe is still a republican, but he can argue both sides of an argument and often does.

[dmspeech]

The National Enquirer had the following blurb (I"m paraphrasing). What foul mouthed host on MSNBC is having an affair with his good looking cohost? Joe???? Mika???????

[BryantG]

Anytime Joe speaks over her she stops mid-sentence and often doesn't finish the thought, which is always sad to watch.

[ebanks84]

He's so disrespectful to her that it makes me cringe. That's why I have no need to watch that show.

[RJII]

I couldn't read the entire article. I have little respect for this woman's creditials and displayed marginal talent. Her father's connections have paid off well for this insignificant voice. She does a disserrvice to her field and the general public when she flutters from subject to subject on TV.

[IQ]

....ALAN COMBS in HEELS

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

Yes.

[whatisthemeaningofthis]

YESSSSS! and much more attractive...sorry combs