Joe Scarborough a conservative?
I have long said that anyone can be a Republican or a Democrat. Party affiliation or loyalty is something we all have a right to determine for ourselves. You can be a conservative Republican or a liberal Republican.
Even a person like Congresswoman Liz Cheney has a right to say she is still a Republican even if she has spent the past year doing everything possible to defeat Republicans. Party affiliation is just a matter of how a person registers to vote.
Being a conservative, however, is quite different. Conservatism is a philosophy of governance. It has a set of generally accepted principles – such as adherence to the text of the Constitution, limited government, low taxes, maximum personal freedom, and the individual right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” If you do not believe in those principles – and the policies that grow out of them – you are not a conservative.
One of the most egregious examples of a person flying a false philosophic flag is MSNBC’s morning host, Joe Scarborough. He often begins a remark by saying, “As a conservative …” In some instances, he underscores it by saying, “I really am.”
In emphasizing that claim to that degree, one might conclude that Scarborough knows his credibility on that issue is very low. If you really follow Scarborough on a daily basis, you will recognize the utter dishonesty and ridiculousness of his claim.
He might have had credibility calling himself a conservative when he was a Florida Republican Congressman – although he might have been better described as a moderate. But today, there is no doubt of Scarborough’s philosophic leaning.
In the early days of “Morning Joe,” Scarborough was presented as a conservative counterpoint to the very, very liberal Mika Brzezinski. That did not endure.
Over time, Scarborough evolved into a classic New York progressive. Arguably, it was the influence of his co-host – and now wife –that spun Scarborough to the far left. I previously suggested that she took him to “progressive obedience school.”
Being a conservative is about what you believe and propose. It is not about merely what you call yourself. By any fair measure, Scarborough is NOT a conservative. He talks, walks, and quacks like a duck with only a left wing. Ergo …
Saying it – even over and over – does not make it so, Joe.
So, there ‘tis.
He was somewhat conservative before he married the blonde bimbo. Now he’s pussy whipped
I really am not in touch with Morning Joe nor Joe Scarborough. But how about that recent article criticizing Kamala Harris for playfully talking about the big yellow school bus. Gosh it criticized her as being ridiculous and that she is kept isolated because she really can’t seem to talk issues intelligently. Yet when she tries to discuss issues such as border security, or abortion, or women’s and transgender rights, she gets blasted. So what is left to talk about besides the big yellow school bus and how the wheels go round and round! Larry, did you take a big yellow school bus to school when you were a kid? If so, you have something in common with Kamala!!!
Tom …. No I had t walk a mile and a half one-way — in rain or snow. And it was uphill … both ways. Actually, Chicago dos not have hills, but it my story and I am sticking to it. I agree the yellow school bus is a petty deal … but it works because it is juxtaposed to her NOT talking about things like the border — which She is charged to deal with. Her only real subject is women’s issues. Nothing about crime … drugs …. inflation … etc. You can probably find a rare comment on other subjects, but they are not on her basic talking points.
Ah, sissy stuff. I did that in Buffalo….
In HS; Dad gave me a lift in, got there at 7 am. Hitched hiked home or wait till 6 pm. 15 miles. Just to go to school in Kanvenaugh country school instead of country school. That’s why I can see him doing it, saw a number of examples of that shit. A few years post my time, coulda taken the metro!
Going to have to start calling her “dark cloud“. Don’t stand too close or you may get hit by the lightning.
We need to prioritize yellow buses for people of color as long as they don’t use them to cross the border… my mom was a working class mother who put me on a yellow school bus… This poor lady can’t get a break. I guess she thought being hired by Biden after totally insulting Biden would be a great job…
Face the facts. Kamala is extremely stupid. She allowed herself to be used as a token.
Larry,
By your definition of the conservative philosophy, do you think former President Trump fills that billing?
On your first characteristic, honoring the Constitution, Trump is clueless as to that document’s importance.
You have opined on Trump about his behavior and policies. The first you don’t appreciate, but the second you do appreciate. Many Republicans have similarly agree about Trump. When I ask for clarification specific to the policy question, Republican friend answer in generalities.
What is it about Trump distinguishing him from other Republicans who better exemplify good character and conservative policy? Although, no one comes to mind from the current crop in leadership. While the term leadership seems problematic.
AcE … Great question. I think the Trump administration pursued a lot of very good conservative policies — as some good actions that may not have a clear philosophic label — such as the new Space Force. But in terms of Trump personally being a principled conservative, I would not place him in that category. I think he is too self-centered to be a consistently anything. I see him as a right-leaning pragmatist — who did some good stuff for conservatives. He was very much the conservative when he selected Suprema Court Justices … cut taxes … pushed school choice … etc. Not so much when he imposed tariffs … negotiated with the Taliban .. etc.. That is one of the reasons why I will not support him in a Republican primary. I think the GOP has better candidates. I will be writing more on that topic in the future.