President Scarborough? "Morning Joe" Would Be a Viable Threat To Obama in 2012

The ever-shrinking right-wing-nutjob base can have Sarah Palin. My early money for the Republican Party's next presidential nominee is MSNBC pundit and former Florida congressman Joe Scarborough.

In case you haven't noticed, this Joe has been more ubiquitous lately than a cup of Starbucks Java on a New York morning. He's everywhere these days, all dressed up (suits vs fleece) with only one place he'd probably love to go: the White House. And if he plays his cards right, he could give President Barack Obama a very difficult challenge in 2012.

Scarborough's been smartly playing the moderate card lately, which is not what we can say for some of the other 2012 "front-runners" like Palin, Newt Gingrich and Mike Huckabee. These guys are so fringe in their ideology that they could never appeal to the all-important middle.

So what does Morning Joe have going for him? To begin with, he has legislative experience, having served Florida's 1st Congressional District from 1995-2001. And, having the hometown advantage in this hotly contested state would be a huge asset in a run for the presidency.

He's also a shrewd operative and knows the issues. He's a fiscal and foreign policy conservative and, though it's been eight years since he was in Congress, where he was socially conservative as well, he's embraced the center, especially when it comes to the environment, immigration and human rights. He's extremely articulate, charismatic and telegenic with a warm squint in the eye and a winning grin. A straight-talking George W. Bush-basher who's savvy and calculating enough to sense he can capitalize on his party's incredible frustration and dissatisfaction with its past and current leadership, as well as tap the wave of disenchantment among Democrats and Independents. He's a young (46) Tonight-Show-ready guitar player who could be the closest thing ever to the GOP's version of Camelot. And, he has great national exposure through his morning television program as well as constant appearances on other high profile NBC shows such as Meet the Press.

Scarborough presents one of the biggest potential threats to Obama, who voters will be judging, one way or another, over his handling of Iraq, Afghanistan, the economy and health-care....and how far he's perceived to have shifted the country's politics uncomfortably to the left. To be sure, the president is facing many uphill battles while staring at precipitous declines in his approval rating. He has failed to connect with voters over his health-care reform bill; needs to stem the hemorrhaging of jobs; has been under attack for racking up massive deficits; needs to figure out a successful Iraq exit strategy; and is stuck with a difficult war in Afghanistan, which is getting worse by the nanosecond. He's going to have to be nothing short of a miracle-man these next 2-3 years if he's to survive politically and fend off challenges from viable opponents like "The Scar."

 

Comments

[Montani]

In your dreams, liberals. Sarah Palin is an honest, God fearing American patriot with great common sense. Liberals, who do not take time to listen to her, won't understand what beat them until it is over. They demean this fine lady because they are scared to death of her. No conservative wants Joe as a candidate. We want someone that is blunt and straight forward in their comments and honest. Sarah Palin is that person. Have you listened to her speech to the American press about their responsibilities to American voters? One line, "quit making things up" was a request to honor those who died to make sure we have a free press. You will never see a liberal say something like that. All Obama does is make things up. Look at the extreme radical socialists he has in his administration. Sarah Palin would never hire someone like Van Jones or befriend someone like Bill Ayers or Jeff Jones. She will have my vote if she wants it, not Joe.

[CJWebber]

ROFL, good one

[diggg]

You are the reason we are in such crappy shape as a party, neocon.

[pirateboy]

Joe come on. No chance.

[emagowan]

Scarborough was my congressman for some time, I found him uninspiring at best. He should continue as a commentator and stay out of office. Subsequent to his last re-election in NW Florida, he quit, saying he needed to spend time with his family. He knew he was planning to quit but wanted to be re-elected so he could pick his successor. Don't get me wrong, he's a fine man and entertaining, but far from presidential material.

[Lawyer822]

She isn't crazy, well chris19046 you are for believing anything that woman has to say. Most of the information she puts out there are LIES... Let her start another party. We'll see how far she gets. No democrat will follow her. She will never win the presidency. She's a QUITTER. She couldn't handle being governor what makes you think she could handle the Presidency. Go ahead and keep wishing.

[chris19046]

You seem to forget no one watches MSNBC so no one would even know MSNBC pundit and former Florida congressman Joe Scarborough.

Since being on MSNBC he no longer has any credibility as a conservative.

Sarah Palin is going to start a new party to put the republicans & democrats in their place. She won the argument of the "death panels" so isn't too crazy is she?

If she wasn't a threat to your world you would stop talking about her. The more you talk about her proves you are afraid of her power.

Only time will prove i'm right.

[diggg]

Folks- this is the new neocon game plan.

Neocons realize that the Republican base is no longer buying their brand of b*llsh/t. Over the next couple of years there will be a battle between neocons, the libertarian members of the party supporting Ron Paul, and the moderates who have been looking for somebody to rally behind. (Enter Joe.)

The neocons realize they will be on the loosing end, and like all spoiled children, have decided to take their ball and go home. The problem is that that ball represents significant financial contributions. The neocons would rather sink the Republican Party than loose control of it.

Many HuffPo readers will think, so what? With them gone, we can pass whatever we like. But it will be to the long term detriment of all of us. One party in control, no matter who it may be, with no effective opposition will be bad for America.

Only time will prove I'M right.

[Carsy]

I think Joe is going to stay where he is, I think he likes television. He can give his opinion and then go home at the end of the day. Besides, he is far too sensitive to run for President, as many of you have pointed out he gets mad and storms off when he doesn't get his way, as he did with Rachel. That is something a petulant child does not a presidential contender. If Joe would decide to run, that clip would haunt his campaign.

[EminemsRevenge]

Good THEORY...but the great white hope appears to be Glenn Beck!!!

I've always caught him mid-rant when channel surfing, but checked him out on the Fox "news" site yesterday from the beginning and he is SCARY because he convincingly [if you didn't KNOW better] builds up to those rants. And since the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine, and Team Obama too scared to re-enact it, the Democrats are already a party in decline.

[abc16live]

the trouble with this country is that most of the people are stupid. how else would bush and cheney reached the white house.

[abc16live]

joe is one of the reasons the country is in such a mess. just like the rest of the republicans!

[concernaboutnow]

I thought I was the only one who realized what Scarborough was doing. The rat is waiting and using the medlia that he has to undermine President Obama. Scarborough will not get my vote but he may get votes of others who do not understand his conniving and underhanded ways. President Obama needs to pay more attention to his show because he is really using it to help spew the trash that is being said about the President. And his guy thinks that he knows everything. He uses his show to try and run the Obama presidency. It is like Rush but tamer.

[Mygirl]

I am convinced Joe and Mika belong on Fox.

[kylie]

They don't just "belong on FOX"--they are FOX.

[steeleri64]

anyone on msnbc that has an opinion of his/her own certainly belongs somewhere else.

[mythoughtsxactly]

I really like Mika. I pray that one day she doesn't come to work with a Louisville sluggar and just give that Joe character some real business. That is one patient, understanding, tolerant, mature, professional, and lovely woman.

[dzent1]

What in the name of Google does Joe Scarborough have to contribute to solving the nation's Republican-caused woes? He can't even comment intelligently on them on television. His vision is the same old myopic, un-inspired, greed-based and driven drivel that brought us to this sorry state.

On second thought, he's probably their best shot. Sad, ain't it?

[Bon1042]

Yes, it is sad. I noticed way back before or during 2008 primaries he was moderating at times on issues, but then would say he was being hammered by the base. Chris Matthews interviewed him recently on his book (makes you think he is running, he has a book out). I'm not sure if it was on the abortion issue or not, but his rationale and reasoning is cockeyed. Yes, I remember, it was abortion. He thinks it should be returned to the states, in other words, women's control over their own bodies is a states right issue. Just GREAT ! Chris couldn't pin him down on it and he laid out his thinking. It made me feel as though my brains were scrambled, my synapses were short circuiting and bouncing off each other !

[dzent1]

I would imagine women will set him straight on that account. No more will men in this country tell women what they can and can't do with their own bodies. That cat is long out of that bag.

[simplesense]

If government starts running healthcare, you won't have ANY control over your own body.

[steeleri64]

But he is intelligent enough to know our "woes" came with a democratic congress and the trend continues!

[dzent1]

I can only assume that you were born after the last eight years of the disastrous Bush Administration.

[NavyVet2008]

I say let him run.

It will be a short race though.

[kylie]

Scarborough "can give Obama a tough fight in 2012".
When pigs fly.

[mythoughtsxactly]

All he's doing is running his mouth and sounding stupid. Can you get anywhere doing that? Oh, yeah, Bush....the early years. Okay, let him have a shot.

[ckfan]

I think Joe wants to be president. He wants to run. He's so full of himself. Obama would wipe the floor with him.

[steeleri64]

Those Obama poll numbers would give him a big edge in floor wiping.

[foxbat]

With Mika, Joe, and Willie in the morning on MSNBC, the best thing about waking up is hitting the snooze bar and catching the Daily Show repeat at 9:00 am.