Mika Brzezinski, Ron Suskind Clash Over 'Confidence Men' Allegations (VIDEO)

Mika Brzezinski had a very frosty conversation with author Ron Suskind about some of the more explosive allegations in his new book about the Obama administration.

Suskind's book, "Confidence Men," describes a tense, difficult working environment for women in the Obama White House. Obama's former communications director, Anita Dunn, is quoted as saying that "this place would be in court for a hostile workplace. . . . Because it actually fit all of the classic legal requirements for a genuinely hostile workplace to women."

The administration has pushed back against many of the claims in the book. When Suskind appeared on Tuesday's "Morning Joe," Brzezinski treated him to one of her frostiest cross-examinations in memory. When he said that Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett supported the premise of his book, she stopped him.

"I actually don't think Jarrett would agree with your book," Brzezinski cut in. Suskind replied that Jarrett had, in fact, cooperated with him while he was writing the book.

"Do you think the White House is a hostile workplace for women?" Brzezinski asked. "I don't think it is, certainly now," Suskind said. He began to recount a section of his book, in which, he said, Obama met with a group of his female staff. Suskind referred to the women as "them."

"With 'them'?" Brezizinski said. "With the women," Suskind said. "Uh-huh," Brezinski said, putting an emphasis on the "huh."

The conversation moved on, but Brzezinski brought the discussion back to women. "Do you point out in the book that there are more women in high level positions than in any other administration?" she asked. "I say that he has a Murderer's Row of women in senior positions," Suskind said. Brzezinski started in again, causing Scarborough to react.

"Hold on a second, Clarence Darrow!" he said. "Why don't you ask about the book?"

"Are there any dates, quotes or statistics wrong in the book?" Brzezinski asked. Suskind said that there are always some minor errors in a first printing of a book, and that they were being corrected.

As the talk ended, Scarborough joked that, if Suskind returned tomorrow, "Mika Darrow" would have more questions. "Mika, let's grab coffee," Suskind said. "Why don't I get you a cup of coffee?" she responded.

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Comments

[email4kh]

11:35 AM on 11/05/2011

She's a pinhead. It's funny when she tells other panelists to stop talking about something, and when she makes facial expressions as if she actually understands what people are talking about.
What a poser. She's only on the cast so they can get easy access to daddy.

[cbsnwdc1]

11:28 PM on 10/23/2011

Oh my, didn't know Mika was smart enough to go down that road. But she and anyone is smarter than Joe. What a joke he is. And people really elected him to office. That must have been one desperate group of citizens

[teddyswims]

01:34 PM on 09/23/2011

The Palace guard dogs take umbrage at someone attacking their Master.

[smo1111]

11:21 AM on 09/23/2011

He titles his book Confidence Men and he claims to be an unbiased journalist??? Laughable.

[redsongia]

02:34 PM on 09/22/2011

She can glare at Suskind all she wants, she's still a doormat -- not because "women aren't respected" but because she, Mika personally, is intellectually incapable of forming a complex position and both defending it and challenging other competing opinions in a factual, intelligent way. Furthermore, 2 men were executed last night and one of the GOP frontrunners is a fierce death penalty advocate. Every other political talk show has coverage on the death penalty in America today, but not Morning Joe. They dodged this issue, no doubt because Joe supports it and Mika has no specific opinions of her own.

[matanzero]

12:27 PM on 09/22/2011

I watch Morning Joe every morning and I think it's a very well politically balanced talk show, where both sides are eloquently and intellectually very well represented. I think Mika is smart and appears to hold her own very well with the men. Neverthelss blindly defending President Obama when Mr. Suskind is documenting fact after fact does no good to her credulity as reporter. Even after this critique, I think this show is the best political and current affairs talk show in the air today.

[maxro89]

03:35 PM on 09/22/2011

how about Pat Buchanan, very well politically balanced talk show?

[LogicalMathMan]

11:25 AM on 09/22/2011

If this show wasn't on at 3am PST, I would watch it and Mika.........yowzer!!!!!!

[Marnel Herbert]

11:22 AM on 09/22/2011

I love, love Mika Brzezinski.

[Joshnstl]

10:43 AM on 09/22/2011

MIKA RULES!!!!

[robroy30]

09:49 AM on 09/22/2011

He should have just blown her off. She has a big mouth and says a lot of stupid things. She is not worth his time.

[IcedTee63]

10:48 AM on 09/22/2011

Not married are you?

[robroy30]

01:43 PM on 09/25/2011

Happily married for 28 years

[deborahjoybrat]

12:31 PM on 09/22/2011

She is one hostile, scary woman. She needs to get laid.

[driverstest]

09:04 AM on 09/22/2011

Didn't realize Mika's job was to interview, I thought she just read the news.

[matanzero]

12:30 PM on 09/22/2011

Mika is the Liberal foil to Joes Conservative views...she is NO news reader...that's what Willy is there for...LOLOL..

[redsongia]

02:36 PM on 09/22/2011

The way she thoughtlessly spouts her superficial opinions makes all women look bad. She's the perfect emotional, uniformed airhead blonde she keeps insisting she's not.

[rebel9999]

09:02 AM on 09/22/2011

Mika is sooooooo hot.

[Matt12]

11:07 PM on 09/21/2011

Love, love MIka!!!!

[robroy30]

09:49 AM on 09/22/2011

I would love, love Mika to go away.

[jazz41]

06:32 PM on 09/21/2011

Who cares what Suskind writes or thinks?

[Mitch Johnesee]

08:11 PM on 09/21/2011

Apparently Darrow does...

[maxro89]

11:19 AM on 09/22/2011

You don't like the true, do you? just hiding in your mind created by Fix News and RBush.

[matanzero]

12:41 PM on 09/22/2011

Apparently the folks that give out the "Pulitzer Price" think that intelligent,well adjusted and informed people should read and listen to his opinion since they gave him the 1995 Pulitzer Award in literature. But you go ahead and continue reading Mickey Mouse & Pluto.

[jazz41]

05:37 PM on 09/22/2011

Regardless ...it is just another political book. You go ahead and read & believe.

[ANTGNE]

06:31 PM on 09/21/2011

Hey Mika, You being on that show is like going slumming. I hate it and bulbous nosed Scarborough too. He's pompous and talks down to you. Don't you get that? It's embarrassing to watch. Here you have a brilliant man's daughter working with someone who belongs on faux. You should host that show at least. I've moved on and turned this show off and spend my time doing other more productive things, thank God. Good riddance.

[matanzero]

12:31 PM on 09/22/2011

Just happen to watch it today ...did ya?