Joe Scarborough, secretly referring to himself: "I think Paul Ryan's message, not his budget, put in the right hands of the right candidate, does get people excited". And then he takes the message and runs with it.

If not you, Joe, who?


If not now, when?

Seriously.


If not you, who?

If not now, when?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

GOP Strategist Mark McKinnon on Joe Scarborough joining the 2012 GOP Presidential Race: "He'd light up the boards immediately if he were to take the step (of running) and I encourage him to do so"

Just imagine the parade of party insiders that would rush to a Scarborough campaign.


People (and donors) like a winner.


Unlike the losers currently running for the 2012 GOP nomination.

Huffington Post's Andy Ostroy: "Daniels Out. Time for Scarborough?"

One trial balloon up.


Will others follow?


Joe Scarborough's a smart fellow.  I hope he's keeping the door open.  Because it's WIDE FLIPPING OPEN right now.  Waiting for a white horse to ride through.


Here's Ostroy:

Back in September 2009 I wrote a piece on why MSNBC's Joe Scarborough would be a viable threat to President Obama in the 2012 election:

"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."

Those words ring even truer today as the pack of Republican hopefuls still primarily comprises either the most radical group of Tea Baggin' loons like Gingrich, Palin, and Michelle Bachmann or snoozers like Tim Pawlenty. Mike Huckabee, Donald Trump and Mitch Daniels are out of the race, leaving the supposed front-runner status to Mitt Romney. But he has several major obstacles to overcome, including his Mormon faith, his own ObamaCare-like program while Massachusetts governor, and the fact that he's already lost once before. And while the GOP is desperate to have "attractive" candidates like New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie or former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. run, the ground clearly remains quite fertile for an outsider like Scarborough to toss his fleece into the ring.

The word on the street is that Huntsman's the GOP's best bet. Also a Mormon, he was appointed by Obama and served as U.S. Ambassador to China from 2009 to April of this year. He's a fiscal conservative who backed Obama's economic stimulus, and has moderate views on civil unions, immigration and the environment. But the mountain he has to climb is quite steep. He has zero name recognition, lacks major charisma, worked for Obama and is seen by many in the party as too "liberal." As the Conservative Daily News wrote, "What did Jon Huntsman, Jr. forget, you ask? Simple, he forgot conservatism. Huntsman has mastered the art of pandering to his inner liberal. He maintains a sterling record in fiscal matters but has a nasty habit of straying from conservative principles."

This tepid support from the right to the current GOP pack should convince Scarborough that the party faithful is waiting for a skilled politician with personality and name-recognition to enter the race. Someone who is centrist enough to attract independents without offending the base, and tough enough to face an incumbent president whose popularity is growing.

Joe Scarborough says Huckabee was the only candidate (in the current field) who could have beaten Barack Obama. Another hint that he's going to have to enter the race himself, to get 'er done?

It's kinda fun, knowing what we know. So when you see a video like this one, in the back of your mind you're thinking - 'he knows. he knows he's going to run, and he's framing it so that when he enters, it'll be because he HAD to do it, for the good of the country'.

Enough with the tease Joe.

Get in.

It's time.

And you know it too.

"I think Mike Huckabee could have beaten Barack Obama.  I don't think there's anybody else in the (current field) that I can say that about today" - Joe Scarborugh, May 16, 2011

AP: Cable talk show host Joe Scarborough throws wrench in 2012 GOP presidential nomination field - announces exploratory committee for presidential run. Seen as favorite to win nomination by GOP insider.

NEW YORK, NY - Former Republican house member and current MSNBC morning show host Joe Scarborough today surprised the still-assembling GOP field by announcing the formation of an exploratory committee for the 2012 GOP nomination - the prelude to a run at the presidency.

"It's well established that the country is currently on the wrong track, even though I have a firm belief America's best days lie ahead," said Scarborough, announcing his run via a YouTube video upload this morning.  "If the Republican Party is going to unseat Barack Obama in 2012, we're going to need to get back to our core values - limited government, pro-business, personal responsibility, low taxes, balanced budgets, rational foreign policy, and above all an undying optimistic view that America truly is a shining city on a hill," continued Scarborough.

Republican political operative and former McCain advisor Mark McKinnon said today on Fox News that Scarborough immediately became the person to beat.

"Joe Scarborough is a centrist, clear-thinking and well positioned mainstream candidate, throwing his hat into a ring made up of lightweights, hypocrites, profiteers, ideologues and frankly unelectable losers and misfits," based McKinnon, to the apparent displeasure of Fox & Friends host Steve Doocy.  "He has two things the others don't - he's likable, and he can win".

Scarborough, 48, represented the Florida first district from 1995 to 2001.  He currently hosts "Morning Joe" a news talk show on cable network MSNBC.  His future appearance plans on that program was not addressed in today's statement.

Blog note - I find the current headlines boring, and waiting for Joe Scarborough to do the right thing is trying my patience. So from time to time, I'm going to feature some "virtual reality" posts - headlines and articles ripped from future newspapers on Joe Scarborough and his run for the presidency in 2012

First Read Report on GOP: "2012: Not exactly a 'Field of Dreams'"

Actually, they're being kind.

The current 2012 GOP Presidential field is a joke.

A joke.
 
A joke.

But alas, change is coming... 2012 will see a big, BIG surprise. GOP insiders are working the phones, corralling the donors, making the deals. They know their current lineup of losers has no shot - no shot - at upsetting Obama. And they know the one candidate who can win (even though the Tea Party will splinter off). And they're gonna get their man.

Joe Scarborough.

It hath been foretold.


2012: Not exactly a 'Field of Dreams'

“The first Republican debate of the 2012 presidential race could be defined by who wasn’t there,” The Hill writes. “Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will be the biggest name attending Thursday night’s gathering in South Carolina, and even he is unknown to most voters.”

Philadelphia Inquirer "GOP desperately seeking a viable candidate for 2012". Yes, indeed, they are. And the most obvious, best positioned possibility is waiting for the call. It's time for the Joe Scarborough trial balloon.

Interesting state-of-affairs view from Philly, with a trial balloon for Fred Karger (who?).

Forget that one - how about the real zinger.

Someone in the MSM please send it up.

Joe Scarborough.

Here's the view from Philly:



Their nomination process is orderly; they generally gravitate to a front-runner, someone who tried and failed before (Ronald Reagan in 1980, George Bush senior in 1988, Bob Dole in 1996, John McCain in 2008), or someone with stellar insider connections (George W. Bush in 2000). Not this time. Romney is usually on top, drawing roughly 20 percent of the likely Republican primary voters - the worst posting for a Republican front-runner since Gallup began tracking the party contest in 1952. And when Republican voters were asked in mid-April, by the New York Times-CBS News pollsters, to cite the candidate they were most enthusiastic about, 57 percent couldn't name anybody.

The void is so huge that even Rudy "9/11" Giuliani said Tuesday that he's keeping "the door open" for a presidential bid. Yeah, he's exactly what the restive Republicans are looking for. The first time he ran, in 2008, he spent $60 million and won exactly one delegate, which strikes me as the polar opposite of fiscal conservatism.

So why the void? For starters, it's no easy task to confront an incumbent who figures to raise and spend $1 billion. Second, many of the likely '12 aspirants are having trouble raising sufficient early money, because donors are holding back. And they're reluctant for the same reason that the Republican base is ill-disposed: The '12 hopefuls have more baggage than an airport carousel at Christmas.

Romney is a human weathervane who's still trying to deny his moderate gubernatorial record in order to pander rightward. Pawlenty is going the same route, having renounced his belief in man-made global warming. Huckabee ticks off the party's antitax zealots because as a governor he raised taxes. Huntsman, who will soon step down as U.S. ambassador to China, is tainted because he (gasp) worked for Barack Obama. Gingrich and Bachmann are fun on the stump, but the only way either of them will get to the White House is with a visitor's pass.

And Trump? He seems like a passing spring squall. Conservatives who love his birther bilge will sour on him once they learn about his liberal past, notably this line from one of his books: "We must have universal health care."

Just for fun - here's the video of Seth Myers destroying (yes, destroying) Donald Trump

Joe Scarborough has to be watching this thinking, 'this guy's leading the pack?'. I mean, seriously? Seriously?

Actually, it is a bit delicious. America is laughing at the current GOP field. It's a joke - the entire lot of 'em. When they're looking for a change, they get a joke.

Well, Scarborough ain't no joke. If he runs, he wins. It hath been foretold.

Enjoy The Donald's destruction. That was easy.

Well played Seth and Obama. Well played.

Joe Scarborough named to Time Magazine Top 100, and a glowing write-up from possible VP nominee Michael Bloomberg

Again, this is all going to seem so obvious in a few months - at least to the few privileged readers of this tiny little blog...

• Lousy GOP nominee field - check
• Need for a centrist candidate who can win - check
• Nominee with high name recognition - check
• Someone who can carry Florida - check
• A candidate who appeals to Reagan Democrats, independents, soccer moms and GOP mainstream - check
• Hated by the lunatic rightwing nutjobs - check

Here's Michael Bloomberg, telling it like it is.  If Chris Christie declines the nod, Bloomberg will be Joe's man.

The 2011 TIME 100

Meet the most influential people in the world. They are artists and activists, reformers and researchers, heads of state and captains of industry. Their ideas spark dialogue and dissent and sometimes even revolution. Welcome to this year's TIME 100

Joe Scarborough - by Michael Bloomberg

As a group, cable-television talk-show hosts are not exactly known for independent political analysis that is free of partisan favoritism, but that is exactly what makes Joe Scarborough, 48, so refreshing — and so important. Joe's approach to politics is the same as mine: call 'em like you see 'em, and even if people don't agree with you on every issue — and they won't — they will respect you for being honest. They will know you are not shilling for a party or an ideology. And they will do exactly what you would hope any voter — and any viewer — would do: listen with an open mind and come to their own conclusions.

On every issue, Joe speaks his mind without fear or favor, because he puts his country before his party. He served for seven years as a Republican Congressman from Florida, but he is a patriot before he is a politician or a pundit. That independence is what makes Joe Scarborough such a valuable voice in American politics. And it's what makes Morning Joe such a successful show. (That, and of course the real star of the show, Mika Brzezinski.)

Bloomberg is the mayor of New York City

Joe Scarborough picks his side in upcoming GOP civil war, as he destroys the televangelists

Joe Scarborough is smart.


He sees the upcoming GOP civil war, and he's chosen his side.


He's on the side of Marco Rubio and Paul Ryan. He's on the side of Chris Christie and Peggy Noonan. He's with the team of smaller government, lower taxes and the adults and intellectuals.


The other side? It's Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann, Donald Trump, Mike Pence, the Tea Party, and the Religious Right.


Let the battle begin.  The GOP can no longer hold both sides together, so time to split up.  GOP, welcome back.  Fringe Tea Party and Religious Right idiots - good luck with your 10%.


Scarborough was the first major Republican to call Sarah Palin what she is - a get-rich-quick conman. And here he is, the first Republican I can ever recall taking on the televangelists. Bravo. Bravo, bravo, bravo.



"Too many other televangelists still pollute the airwaves begging for money while preaching the glories of the prosperous life. Jesus’ emphasis on servant leadership and humility obviously never penetrated the mind of these foul creatures." - Joe Scarborough in Politico, April 2011

Potential Vice President candidate (running with Joe Scarborough on the dream ticket) on Morning Joe

This will all make sense to folks by Fall.

When will Joe Scarborough announce his bid for the 2012 GOP nomination? The correct answer - not until Fall 2011. He doesn't need to.

Here's Joe a few weeks ago, on Today:


"People that want to run think they can wait later"


OK. True that. And he already said that Iowa doesn't matter. And he knows he can win New Hampshire AND Florida easily - fluke of geography.


So... when will Scarborough announce?


My guess: Not until Fall 2011. After none of the announced GOP candidates gain traction, Scarborough rides in on his white horse, and says he has to do what's best for the party, and the nation.


And on to New Hampshire he'll go.  And he'll win.

Here's Joe on Iowa, if you're interested...

"In the past, Iowa caucus, have selected a lot of people that didn’t move past Iowa. Mike Huckabee last time. The religious right has a very strong foothold on the Republican Party. You’ve now got Mitt Romney saying what John McCain said four years ago, I’m just going to skip it."

Joe Scarborough on running for President: "You never know".

You know what's most encouraging about Scarborough running?


1) He's hated by the tea baggers and the right wing ignorant wingnuts who've hijacked his party
2) He's on MSNBC, not Fox News
3) He appeals to centrists more than liberals or conservatives
4) He's telegenic, interesting, media-savvy and someone you want in your living room (unlike the creeps, bores, frauds and weirdos running for the GOP nomination)
5) He's authentic, and speaks his mind, like it or not
6) He has the courage to say we need to cut entitlements, and balance the budget NOW
7) He has the courage to say we need to get out of Afghanistan and Iraq NOW
8) He appeals to women (unlike the scary creeps running for the GOP nomination)
9) He's unexpected, and his candidacy will throw a big wrench into an otherwise boring GOP race
10) He can win (unlike any of of the other GOP candidates)

Joe Scarborough calls Republicans cowards - "afraid of Barack Obama" and "don't think they can beat him"

It's one thing to call out other Republicans for being cowards.

It's another thing to do something about it.

Yes, the GOP field is afraid of Barack Obama. They don't think they can beat him. And that's why you have self-promoters and wingnuts running. They're not running to win. They're running to enrich themselves.

And then there's Joe Scarborough. If everyone else is a coward, what will be Joe Scarborough's true stripes?

I bet on Joe.




"...They are afraid of Barack Obama. They look at a President that's sitting at a 50 percent approval rating, 9 percent unemployment. He's been pulled to the...middle by the Republican victory in 2012. They just don't think - and if you look at the candidates that could beat Barack Obama they just don't think they can beat him in 2012."