Ask Joe Scarborough

Joe Scarborough Craig Blankenhorn / MSNBC / AP

As host of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," he interviewed and analyzed (and accidentally cursed) his cable news show into second place in the morning ratings race over the course of the 2008 elections. Now the former Republican Congressman from Florida is edging his way into first — he's even got a plug from Oprah. Use the form below to submit your questions for Joe Scarborough, then look for the upcoming interview in TIME Magazine.

NOTE: Submitted questions may be edited for length or clarity. Your first name, last name, and location are required and may be published along with your question in print and online. Your information will not be used for any other purpose.

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Submit your question to Ask Joe Scarborough (111 other responses).

Posted by Drew in Charlotte:
Do you look back on your days as an early congressman and part of the "New Federalist" group with any regrets? And why have you decided to no longer represent the people? We need you.
Posted by Travis Hornsby in Pensacola,FL:
Do you feel you have moderated your political views to be a news anchor?
Posted by Kenneth Nash in Pensacola,Fl:
Are a lot of Republicans blinded by Abortion issue? That can turn off people if they have more pressing concerns at the moment.
Posted by alaskanturkey in :
Complete this sentence: MSNBC is to Fox News as __________ is to _______.
Posted by sebrina greene in Washington,DC:
Joe,

My mother and I watch you every morning. I must admit that I watch you mostly to disagree with your positions and argue with the TV because I am a progressive. Anyway, my question is with regard to the sitting president's foreign policy. I heard you say today on Morning Joe that you believe history will judge President Bush to be a better president than is widely viewed now. After my head exploded, I started to think about this assertion. Do you believe that the President bears a huge responsibility (the buck stops with him) for taking us to war? Do you believe that it was a war of choice or necessity? Regardless of the intelligence, the President was the one who ultimately decided. This decision has made Iran more powerful in the region because Iraq was a check on that country's power. I believe that Iran was and is sponsoring more terrorists than Iraq did.
Posted by Todd Betanzos in Dallas,TX:
I watch your show regularly, and as a moderate Republican I appreciate your willingness to call balls and strikes evenly when critiquing members of both parties, campaigns, etc. Many of my more conservative friends, however, don't apprecaite you the same way I do. That has made me wonder: Do you feel that you've suffered any backlash from the Republican party as a result of your work on Morning Joe?
Posted by Stan Black in Nashville,TN:
How do you feel about sharing a first name with VP elect Biden?
Posted by Larry Dreiling in Hays,Kansas:
I ask two and you can pick one.

1. Can MSNBC still be in the tank for Obama now that Hillary Clinton is poised to be secretary of state?

2. Do you REALLY need that seven-second delay? Can you control your f-bombs? After all, you were a member of Congress.
Posted by Rajwinder singh in Mississauga:
What does Cnn stand for?plzz write back!
Posted by Thomas Braun in Minneapolis,MN:
Joe,

During the campaign you often made fun of Mika for being "in the tank" for Obama. Does your previous stint as a Republican Congressman require you to tamp down partisan feelings while on the air?
Posted by Andy Green in ClintonIA:
What part of your life do you prefer, the congressman part, or the news anchor part?
Posted by Virginia Lucas in hillsborough,n.j.:
I am a Democrat and voted for Barack Obama in the election. I enjoyed the banter and guests on your morning show until after the Republican convention. I felt your commmentary became very biased as it appeared that the McCain/Palin ticket began to fall behind. You made tremendous excuses for the hate speech that Palin expoused on the campaign. I stopped watching your show and received my attention coverage from CNN. That said, Do you believe that a morning news show should have so much bias and did you choose to portray yourself as biased or was that what the producers asked of you?
Posted by Quan Ha in Denver:
Do you think Don Imus was justifiably fired? Remember there is no "Morning Joe" without "nappy-headed..."
Posted by Alex Cordas in Carrolton,TX:
Do you see the Republicans in congress set up the Democrats on the platforms the Dem's & esspecially Obama on the won the election on. Hammering them over their heads of Senators up for election next time?

Can the Democrat's think first and responding in anyway or will they shoot themselves in the foot?

Why doesn't MSNBC use the weekend as a time to teach and help us learn? Lock-up has one teaching subject, don't go to prison. And about preditors who chase little girls, that is disgusting. Why not teach civics, American History, Goverment Scandals, history and biographies. PLEASE PLEASE Show MSNBC the light.?????
Posted by Alexander in StonyBrook:
Why did you get into the news business?
Posted by Larry Kelly in Wadsworth,Ohio:
If you had to pick one or the other, whom would you rather sit next to on a three hour bus trip: Keith Olbermann or Chuck Todd.
Posted by Got a question for Joe Scarborough? « Inside Cable News in insidecablenews.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/got-a-question-for-joe-scarborough/:
[...] a question for Joe Scarborough? Time.com wants to hear from you… As host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” he interviewed [...]
Posted by Mark Stevenson in Lansing:
Do you ever miss doing Scarborough Country?
Posted by Don Micheal in TampaBay:
I know you're a Republican and that you even try to be objective sometimes. However, I think you sometimes bully some of your guests, either to your opinion or bully them to not even give their own opinions. My question is this; Why don't you try to be more objective when it comes to politics? (i.e. Chuck Todd, David Gregory or the late Tim Russert) You are obviously extremely intelligent, don't you think your show and possibly your career would improve immeasurably if that were the case?
Posted by Jacob Reses in Linwood,NJ:
Do you think it's appropriate for MSNBC to have three shows on in primetime with liberal hosts (Olbermann, Maddow, Matthews) given the fact that there are no primetime conservative counterweights? Does the channel skew left for the most part?
Posted by Veronica Hodges in Philadelphia:
Why are you so rude and arrogant toward Mika. It's not amusing and makes you look like a chauvinous pig. You constantly interrupt her and trivialize her comments. You talk about your days in congress ad nauseum, and I'm sick of hearing about them.
You'd fit nicely at FOX.
Posted by Walter F. Davenport in McDonough:
Why are you so blatantly partisan and divisive?
Posted by Peter SPOREA in CoralSprings:
Mr Joe...are you ready....?...this is big thing...it's the 21st Century biggest Discovery...

...Patent # 7,451,726...."Peter SPOREA's Rotary Motor"
...the dream searched for 50 years by many car & engine makers...today from 11/18/2008 is true...
(just go on United States Patent.com....and you will see it for real...)

Mr Joe...be the first who go in front of the Senate & Government...and present the Project...and request the necessary funds for the SOLUTION of 21st Century
...of the USA...

(Peter SPOREA...(954) 753-5267 or (954) 856-1139 cell)

Are you ready for the biggest Automaker Industry bailout...? But what are we going to get in return....?

Here is the solution...at a fraction of investment...
New Rotary Motor (Engine)...30 to 50 % lighter
...with a Rotor & Stator...which rotates like turbine ...but is not a turbine...it's still a motor with compression, with pistons, which just rotates ...like a "donut inside a dish"...like a UFO...but it's the best American Dream
...the Discovery of the 21 century...the solution for new and less fuel consumption motors...

Mr Joe...$ 25 billions for an Industry with no solution for future...no new motors
...just with hybrids which cost 30% more on the cars...where 30% from the electric powers charged (saved) into the batteries just carry the additional weight of the battery & electric motors
...no...no...no...only $ 2 billions investment into this "Peter SPOREA's Rotary Motor" Project...will give USA a new MOTOR...and new plants ready to built millions of the new MOTORS for all the industries in need of them...millions of jobs for millions people...the new future of the USA....

GOD BLESS USA...GOD BLESS the AMERICAN PEOPLE...into the 21st century...
Posted by Ernest E. Kunkle in Omaha,NE:
Would you have voted Republican if the ticket hd been Dick Cheney and Sarah Palin? Does the George Bush experience illustrate that there are limits on where you will follow your party?
Posted by David Veigel in VirginiaBeach:
Can the Republican Party return to its roots of true Conservatism and fiscally responsible spending?
Posted by Richard Tucker in ColoradoSprings,Colorado:
Is there a big chance that the Big 3 Auot Makers will be in the same boat next year if they get this Bail Out?

PS: Please put my vote in for "NOT BAILING" them out. If they hadn't been so greedy in the past and had built cars with better fuel economy they wouldn't be in this mess. Serves them right for getting in bed with the oil companies.
Posted by Tania Jones in LosAngeles:
Are you and Mika having an affair?
Posted by Lisa in Raleigh:
I know that your family is a very important part of your life. How does your family life impact your current role as a host on MSNBC?
Posted by John Korchynski in Whitby,Ontario,Canada:
Joe,

When will you stop referring to Barack Obama in a denegrating manner as "your guy" and give him the respect that he is due.

What would you call Senator McCain, ... "my guy".

John Korchynski
Posted by paul bagus in hamiltonontario:
what have influenced your opinions the most over the past years?
Posted by kathleen vogel in columbus,ohio:
Dear Joe,

Don't you get a say in who comes on your show? I don't get to watch you everyday because I am a part time GED teacher. (I would gladly take on more hours, but I've been cut, and adult ed is at the bottom of the list.) ANYWAY, on the several random occasions I have watched, I have unfortunately had to watch Peggy Noonan on your show. There are smarter right wingers than that one. I just can't forget the show when she was deriding Obama, liberals, etc., and talked about poor mothers, " don't they (liberals) all have two-headed babies you could use for bowling balls," and they "always have their feet on fire"....something totally horrid.
Please tell me you don't approve....WSJ must have someone else.
Posted by Suze Camo in Marlboro,NewJersey:
Do you think that the Republican Party has a future after the 2008 election? How can the Republican Party resurrect themselves? How can Republicans attract more Hispanics, Asians, Blacks, etc.?

Re: the financial meltdown: Why didn't the Bush Administration put more restrictions on the Derivatives Trading and Credit Default Swaps trading that went on and helped to implode our economy? Why didn't the SEC do anything? Why isn't anyone being held responsible for what went on in the Financial Markets? Bush & Co. were AWOL, why didn't they warn the American people of what was going on for years with subprime mortgages being turned in securities which were traded as AAA securities? Also, the Democrats were complicit, they encouraged Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac to buy up all of the sub-prime mortgages. The ratings agencies did not report what was going on either. Why isn't Alan Greenspan being held accountable for not blowing the whistle on what was going on on Wall Street, etc.?????? The reporting on the cable news is lacking, to find out what went down you have to read financial newspapers, Time, or watch Saturday Night Live.
Posted by Suze Camo in Marlboro,NewJersey:
Would you consider running for Political Office again??
Posted by Wendy Washington in MorenoValley:
Joe,
Why do you continue to pump up Sarah Palin as if she has the credentials to become President in 2012 or 2016? She is and will always be a joke to half of the american people who watched her perform. You need to come off your high horse and quit bullying
your guest. Yes,the show is call "Morning Joe" but I actually enjoy
watching more when you have a day off. You and Pat were a sad sight when you believe that when Sarah Palin was on SNL or giving a interview people were watching because she was liked............not
We only watched to get a good laugh, now it's on you. You scared me when it didn't matter to you that Sarah would have been a heart beat
away from the Presidency. You wanted to win.......no matter what. Shame on you and Pat..thank god the American people knew better.
Can you finally admit that you and Willie were sick at heart and gasping at any poll which showed McCain tied?? Your viewers
saw right through you. I loved every minutes watching you and Willie
looking pitiful as Obama numbers soared !! Have a good day
Posted by Neldra Glasper in trotwood:
Trotwood, OH – There are over 7,541 families at risk of loosing their homes in Montgomery County and surrounding areas. Helping Hands provides free foreclosure mitigation, homeowner's education, social and human services referrals, counseling services to families who are in the foreclosure process. Will you come and speak at this event or come cover it? Ohio is struggling with the automakers shutting down, DHL laying and homeowners are losing there home.

Helping Hands will work one on one with each family to help understand their financial situation, develop a budget, an action plan and to work with lenders on their behalf. Helping Hands is an affiliate of Mission Peace National Corporation an intermediary partner across 15 states.
Posted by Jonathan Brown in Decatur,Georgia:
How can a former Republican congressman stay employed at a network with an intentional left-wing bias?
Posted by Michael Radtke Jr. in SterlingHeights,MI:
With Colmes leaving the show, do you have plans for a new liberal stooge you can shout over?
Posted by Stephen Vivona in AnnArbor:
What's your biggest surprise about the 2008 election season?
Posted by John V. Kelsch in Fairbanks,Alaska:
Hi, I am writing to explain how this train wreck happened and how easy it would be to get us out of it...

It is common knowledge when there is war the price of oil goes up...
When there is a threat of war the price of oil goes up...
If you recall Saddam used the threat of war on a regular basis.

More recently... the price of oil drops from $150.00 per barrel to $50.00 per barrel and falling... the price hasn't even settled and Russia anounces they are installing a nuclear reactor in Venezuala

Our recession started about the same time the price of diesel hit $5.00 a gallon in Fairbanks, Alaska. Coincidence?
Everyone maxed out their credit cards the banks force fed them buying gasoline and heating oil.
They gave my wife credit cards and she does't even work! Think about it... an unemployed women with a pocket full of credit cards... I've never had a credit card... I use atm cards (cash in advance)!

Between the oil lords (artificial price inflation), the gas guzzlers (demand for luxury and power), the Wall Street and corperate glutteny (half executive bonus to go into company shares for all employees, the card pushers, $5.00 per gallon fuel, construction costs... The cost of doing business out paced the income! CRASH!

Coming into this election the market was already jittery (with two wars in progress and a new ) and with the threat of raising taxes on the rich! Until Pres. Elec. Obama talks about his tax structure you won't see any sustained gains in the markets! They better get it right the first time! If they get it right not only will the investers come back... it will be at record pace, never to be matched again! I expect foreign investors will be piling on U.S. markets which will be twice what it is now (within the first 18 months of the first term)...

So that takes care of the market...

Now about controlling the price of oil...
Everytime the price of oil goes up... match the increase with a consumption tax. Buy matching this increase... it will preasure consumption, thus creating inscentive to conserve! The difference being... at least half the increase will circulate in the U.S.!

Part of this tax could fund research for alternative power supply (cold fussion) and possibly a tax deduction? this will all happen when our technology catches up... after all... we're still in the "Microsoft Windows" era which is why we still need fossil fuels!

As far as developing oil fields in Alaska... the best time to develope is now while infrustructure is in place! Develope it! Clean up on your way out!

As far as the bridge to know where goes... What outsiders don't realize is that many of our coastal comunities are pinned between mountains and water! Many communities need room for expansion thus you have to have bridges! Our state is young, as is our infrustructure! Alaskans are hard workers and very very resourceful!

For big problems you need big solutions... the treasury won't be able to boost the economy by itself. There needs to be insentive to re-enter the market! Simple (a no brainer)!

Instead of talking doom and gloom... you need too focus on the problems! There is a simple solution to every problem! Following it is a matter of lobbying!

If cigarettes are addictive... that makes them a narcotic and aren't all narcotics to be sold over the counter by a pharmisist?

John Kelsch
Groundhogs, LLC. General Contractors
Fairbanks, Alaska
Posted by Stuart Edelbrock in Omaha:
Why aren't we hearing more about the use of 20,000 troops in the states for law enforcment functions? There seem to be a great number of questions related to this and I hear very little.
Posted by Laura Taylor in Raymond:
Joe,

Do you believe as I do, that we as a country, don't need more homeless people.? If we're in agreement, then why is America allowing so many foreclosures due to the "greed" of others.

I believe it would be more beneficial to allow folks to stay in their homes and pay what they can until this mess!! we're in is straightened out somewhat. It's not going to benefit anyone by allowing homes to sit vacant, so why not have the financial folks and homeowners sit down and come up with some form of agreement to save homes. At least Ms. Bair from the FDIC is trying something.

These same folks want be able to rent housing, because their credit is going to be ruined due to the foreclosures and other things.

And what about the unemployment mess!!! God help us.
Posted by Brent Joaquin Sr in Belleview,Florida:
I really would like to knowwhy you won't take take your entire
show, whit the exception of Meka, and the other guess that you
have and go over too FOX. I truly believe thats were you want and
should be. And please take that lame music with you.

PLEASE,

Brent JOaquin
Posted by Jerry Fisher in WalnutCreek,CA:
Isn't confrontation the lifeblood of cable talk, and doesn't that
really promote division in this country rather than bipartisanship?
Posted by Rajaram Bojji in Herndon:
USA needs energy security. In US a new innovation Gravity Powered Rail, Road and Runways transportation systems" vide US Patent Application no 12184151 dt 07/31/08 is available, which uses gravitational force to run all existing railroads and also provide urban transport at 60mph, with average speed of 30 mph and 200mph intercity transportation, saving 70 to 90% of energy which we are currently using. The system of gravity powered rail is simple too to implement technologically, requiring no further acquisition of land, but follows existing shoulders of Inter-state highways . But it has vast implications of saving import of 8m barrels of oil per day by USA and prevent spewing of 3.5 b tonnes of carbon annually within USA. What is in your opinion the fastest method to get a policy initiative from government and implement the estimated $450 b green energy solution, needing no subsidies, but only a pro-active encouragement for private players to invest and implement, as it yields handsome profits too. Thank you, Sir.
Posted by Amy Sandberg in Columbus,Ohio:
Do you think you would have as much to talk about if McCain had been elected?
Posted by Amy Sandberg in Columbus,Ohio:
Has being part of the media made you more liberal? I feel as though you are pretty moderate for a former Republican Congressman.
Posted by Gary Billings in Scarborough,NY10510:
Joe, great show...topical, informative, provocative and entertaining. But, sometimes the rapartee beween you and Mika makes me uncomfortable. There seems to be an undercurrent of resentment. You want her to know her place. She wants to be respected as a a journalist. Do you agree? If so, what can you do to remove the tension? It can be tough to take with morning coffee.

Hope to get an answer.
Posted by David Hungerford in Lexington,KY:
Given the current economic crisis, do you think that Congressman Ron Paul's policies and warnings now seem a bit more credible, given that they seem to be bearing fruit? Is it time for another listen?
Posted by Steve Kusheloff in Sunbury,PA:
While all the polls and pundits were predicting a solid Obama victory over McCain, for the two weeks before the election, you insisted it was going to be close, citing polls that, according to Chuck Todd, had little or no merit, e.g., a 2-point Obama edge in New Mexico just days before the election. You were proven wrong, by quite a margin. My question: why did you insist the race was going to be close? You're an experienced observer of politics and elections? Were you just trying to keep your viewers interested? You came off like a sportscaster telling viewers the fourth place team really has a shot at the pennant even though it's mid-September.
Posted by Lisa Atkinson in Tamarac,Florida:
Why aren't you nicer to Mika and David Shuster?

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