‘That Was Pathetic’: Morning Joe Co-Hosts End Interview With Florida Governor

By Mark Joyella 

Politicians avoid questions all the time, but on MSNBC’s Morning Joe Thursday, the Republican governor of Florida, Rick Scott, repeatedly refused to say if he agreed with Donald Trump that Islam hates America–and the show’s co-hosts cut the interview short as a result.

“That was weak, sniveling political wavering,” said Mika Brzezinski afterwards. “I would suggest if you’re the governor of a state, you should be able to answer that question…and if you can’t, you really shouldn’t be the governor of a state, especially Florida. That was pathetic.”

The hosts had asked Scott just two questions–whether he was endorsing Trump (he didn’t answer) and whether Islam hates America:

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SCOTT: Well, I can tell you what’s going on in Florida. We have —

BRZEZINSKI: No. That’s not the question.

SCARBOROUGH: No, no, I don’t want to know what’s going on in Florida.

SCOTT: So in our state we’re headed in the right direction.

SCARBOROUGH: No, no, no. I want to know what’s going on in your head, Governor. We’re friends. I want you to answer the question. Do you personally think that Islam is a religion that hates America?

SCOTT: So, Joe, what I can tell you in our state is we have a lot of Muslims that live in our state —

BRZEZINSKI: Wrap it.

Brzezinski gave Scott one more chance, saying “Rick, Rick, Rick. I know you and Joe are friends and this is kind of awkward. But can you answer the question or should we scoot?” He again declined to answer the question, and they scooted.

After a break, Scarborough and Brzezinski talked about the interview–and their decision to cut it short. “He was pathetic,” said Brzezinski. “He chose not to answer. He chose to be weak. And so we had him leave the show.”

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