Missed the beginning of Morning Joe but

[helpisontheway]

about 40-something minutes in they started talking about what they are hearing behind the scenes. Halperin now saying elites on both sides are telling him that Obama might eek out a small win. Then the Politico guy said that what scares the Republicans is that a single poll might be wrong but all polls can't be wrong. He also said that the President's leads have been small but consistent. Towards the end of that segment Halperin looked down like he might cry. No smug look on that @sshole's face! Oh and he said something about people like George Will will have to figure out what they will do with their columns because they will freak out if they have to deal with 4 more years of the President (can't remember the exact words). Oh and Joe was NOT there during the segment that I watched. Perhaps he stepped away for that segment or maybe he is not there today.

[bigdarryl]

1. I don't know why any DU'ER would watch that bullshit his ratings are horrible

But you wouldn't know it

[DrDan]

3. because of the guest lineup

I watch it daily - not embarrassed to admit it

[NatBurner]

9. ^this is always the 1st reply in the MJ posts

like, damn near every time
iono why but that's fascinating to me

[OKNancy]

2. I saw the first part

Richard Wolffe was on and restated the numbers ( 78% approval of PBO's handling of the Sandy events)
and how it was really good for Obama. Without Joe on this morning, it's not a bad show.

[nenagh]

4. Note to MSNBC... jettison Joe, I like Mika in charge...

[helpisontheway]

5. Funny how she can actually string a sentence together when he is not there. When he is there she

relies on facial expressions. Oh gee...really? <roll eyes>. I KNOW it is all an act! I have watched her on other shows and she is not dumb. Not sure why she would want a job where she has to pretend to be clueless.

[PearliePoo2]

6. She is totally different when Scar is gone.

More assertive, somber, professional and in control. I think the biggest difference is she asks people for input and then actually lets them finish a sentence and thought!

[AlinPA]

10. Note to MSNBC: Shitcan the whole show including the airhead Mika and the other jerks.

[Mike Daniels]

11. Everyone is better when Joe is off set...

When Joe's in command the show has a morning zoo/frat house vibe where there's no control or structure. Joe repeatedly breaks in over Mika during her news report, they'll spend 5-10 minutes talking about sports or some inane trivial culture bit, everyone talks over everyone else, etc...

When Mika or Willie are in command everything seems more reigned in and mellow. Guests get to talk, questions are asked and answers are given and journeys into pointless side topics (does Joe really think people care about his opinions about music, movies, Mad Men, etc...) are minimal.

One has to wonder what the effect would be if Joe were to move on and someone else take over hosting the show while keeping the same political chat format.

[Jennicut]

12. Much better when Willie or Mika are in control.

No talking over people.

[VirginiaTarheel]

7. Only two more Morning Joe's before the Election

Not that I watch the show. I just hate hearing about it here.

[Cosmocat]

8. The usual bullshit minus Scar being the abusive father figure

Halperin and one of the other corporatist republican hacks were trying SO hard to downplay where the race is.

Halperin tried to mitigate the positive impact for the President's campaign from Sandy in general and specifically from the Christie stuff, diong the "it only matters to the elites ...' bs and Deutch cut him off and said it has to help him.

Scar has a habit of being MIA when things are not going how he would like.

Not having him did free up Mika to be tolerable, and Duetch to not be leashed like he is by Joe as often.

Richard Wolfe is not normally as intimidated.

[barnabas63]

13. At the end of the show during the wrap-up Halperin said...

...that Obama's chances looked "very good."

[Jennicut]

14. Obama looks in a stronger position ahead of the election and even Halperin has to admit it.

Romney's "surge" and "Romentum" were stopped by Biden in the VP debate and then Obama in the 2nd debate. By the time the third debate came, Obama was dominant and it stopped Romney completely. The BS about Romney having momentum was only partly true. He had some after that first debate but then chose to ride it out not doing anything to help himself. No specifics ever introduced in any of his plans. The state polling is really not looking good for Romney right now aside from Rasmussen.

[PsychProfessor]

15. I didn't get the same impression on Halperin

I think his statement was pretty huge. He basically admitted that insiders in both campaigns have admitted that it is quite possible the President "has this". This was extraordinary as yesterday he was the one carrying the water for the whole "too close to call" "Romney momentum" true believers. So, this was quite a turn around. He also admitted that the "narrative" about moving into other states because Romney is sure of a win in Ohio is clearly fictional, that what they are trying to do is desperately find a way in an impossible electoral college situation. He kept adding "this is not necessarily MY opinion" but he was stuck dealing with reality. He was absolutely cowed. It was awesome. Also, as he spoke about the next 4 years, he said that republicans have a choice between freaking out and then continuing to just stand in the president's way or freaking out and then actually working for the good of the country, actually getting something done.

The George Will column was hysterical. I have no idea who George Will thinks he is writing for, as my impression is that most dyed in the wool Romney supporters will not understand most of what he was saying. I guess when George Will freaks out some small portion of his brain that acts as an instant thesaurus just kicks into high gear! He is spouting spelling bee/Balderdash words! It was like he was about to slip into Olde English. Ah! George, get hold of yourself!

[yellowcanine]

16. George Will had his usual smarmy column in the WP this morning.

For some reason Will clings to the notion that Obama is intellectually lazy. He cites no evidence, just asserts it. I put it down to projection. If anyone is intellectually lazy it is Will, with his insipid use of big words to substitute for cogent arguments. He hints at a big loss for Obama but doesn't quite say it, maybe because he is trying to hedge his bets.

[faithfulcitizen]

17. Seeing Halperin eat crow made my morning! ...and Joey being absent a close 2nd.

[barnabas63]

18. Can't wait for next Wednesday....!

Schadenfreude tastes so good in the morning.