Trump to Mika: Don't Ask Me Anything Too Hard

Wow!  Sarah Palin was right, it is the lamestream media.  How wonderful that there is such a thing as live mics:

Newly leaked audio confirms common accusations that the mainstream media is deliberately pandering to and colluding with Donald Trump in their incessant quest for ratings. While it’s been obvious for quite a while now that conservative blowhard Joe Scarborough and his compliant partner, Mika Brzezinski are very fond of Trump and constantly have him on their show to answer softball questions, these new revelations show Trump asking them specifically to “take it easy on him” before last week’s “town hall,” where he was faced with questions about his poll numbers and “why he wants to be President,” instead of any questions about his absurd policy proposals or inability to give substantial details about any of his ideas.

Do you not want me to do, the um, the ones with, um, deportation?” asks Mika, “We really do have to go to some questions,” adds Joe. “That’s right. Nothing too hard, Mika” responded Trump – to which Mika agrees. No questions about his proposed mass deportations were asked. The audio also reveals this telling exchange:

TRUMP: “I watched your show this morning. You have me almost as a legendary figure, I like that. You, you get great ratings and a raise. Me, I get nothing. This will make us all look good.”

SCARBOROUGH: “Exactly.”

It is absolutely shameful how the mainstream media has abandoned any pretense at journalism in their rush to cover the carnival of Trump. He’s been given so much free airtime that he doesn’t need to purchase any airtime, giving him a powerful advantage against his equally reprehensible rivals. 

http://www.occupydemocrats.com/2016/02/22/leaked-tape-catches-trump-begging-mika-dont-ask-me-anything-too-hard-audio/

I saw this on Facebook and was disgusted, but it's not going to change any Trump supporter's mind.  I've tried watching that Morning Joe show a few times in the morning at the gym and they always seem like a private little clique giving each other knowing glances.  I guess the woman is supposed to be more liberal, but she just bites her lips a lot and makes faces reflecting an unshared internal dialogue.  I didn't get it, but now seeing they are pals of Donald Trump that makes more sense. I guess.

No one wants to ask hard questions for fear that he won't return.  Chuck Todd alluded to this awhile ago as well.
    http://www.politicususa.com/2014/12/28/chuck-todd-defends-challenging-republican-lies-meet-press.html

Has Trump been on Fox at all lately?  Maybe the whole campaign is a joke and he's helping to prop up msnbc.

What will Fox do if he's the nominee? They can't back the Democrat, obviously...

TarheelsInNj said:

What will Fox do if he's the nominee? They can't back the Democrat, obviously...

Rupert Murdoch will be the decider.

"Cruz bets uniting white conservatives/evangelicals enough, Meanwhile Trump appealing across party lines. Surely the winning strategy," Murdoch tweeted Friday night.

"24 hours and many influential Republicans see Trump inevitable and get ready to switch. United by horror of Hillary whose campaign staggers," Murdoch tweeted.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/16/politics/rupert-murdoch-ted-cruz-donald-trump/

Used to be a MSNBC watcher -- and then Trump decided to run and not drop out so I'm an infrequent watcher. Don't do Morning Joe anymore or Hardball. They appease Trump and handle him like fine crystal. Even my Boston brother Mike Barnicle seems unable to give an honest view point on Trump w/out Scarborough whining his way to mind changing. I no longer see Capeheart on there anymore. Maybe he got sick of playing nice for Trump? Viewers are at the mercy of the ratings monster and the monster's name is Trump. To be fair, it's not his fault that MSNBC kisses his ass for ratings. MSNBC is a different network entirely. The only shows worth it are Maddow and Last Word. 

BG9 said:

TarheelsInNj said:

What will Fox do if he's the nominee? They can't back the Democrat, obviously...

Rupert Murdoch will be the decider.

"Cruz bets uniting white conservatives/evangelicals enough, Meanwhile Trump appealing across party lines. Surely the winning strategy," Murdoch tweeted Friday night.

"24 hours and many influential Republicans see Trump inevitable and get ready to switch. United by horror of Hillary whose campaign staggers," Murdoch tweeted.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/16/politics/rupert-murdoch-ted-cruz-donald-trump/

I think/hope/pray he is vastly overestimating Trump's appeal.

kibbegirl said:

Used to be a MSNBC watcher -- and then Trump decided to run and not drop out so I'm an infrequent watcher. Don't do Morning Joe anymore or Hardball. They appease Trump and handle him like fine crystal. Even my Boston brother Mike Barnicle seems unable to give an honest view point on Trump w/out Scarborough whining his way to mind changing. I no longer see Capeheart on there anymore. Maybe he got sick of playing nice for Trump? Viewers are at the mercy of the ratings monster and the monster's name is Trump. To be fair, it's not his fault that MSNBC kisses his ass for ratings. MSNBC is a different network entirely. The only shows worth it are Maddow and Last Word. 

I have to agree, I always felt that Morning Joe offered, for the most part, a fair and balanced political opinion.   However, Mika hates Hillary - HATES her, and they have pretty much ignored Bernie from the beginning -  so the fair and balanced is gone and has been replaced with a Trump love fest.   Jeb Bush was right - Trump doesn't have to pay for ads and brochures, the media does it all for him for free.

soorlady said:

kibbegirl said:

Used to be a MSNBC watcher -- and then Trump decided to run and not drop out so I'm an infrequent watcher. Don't do Morning Joe anymore or Hardball. They appease Trump and handle him like fine crystal. Even my Boston brother Mike Barnicle seems unable to give an honest view point on Trump w/out Scarborough whining his way to mind changing. I no longer see Capeheart on there anymore. Maybe he got sick of playing nice for Trump? Viewers are at the mercy of the ratings monster and the monster's name is Trump. To be fair, it's not his fault that MSNBC kisses his ass for ratings. MSNBC is a different network entirely. The only shows worth it are Maddow and Last Word. 

I have to agree, I always felt that Morning Joe offered, for the most part, a fair and balanced political opinion.   However, Mika hates Hillary - HATES her, and they have pretty much ignored Bernie from the beginning -  so fair and balanced is gone and has been replaced with a Trump love fest.   Jeb Bush was right - Trump doesn't have to pay for ads and brochures, the media does it all for him for free.

And NBC a/k/a the Today Show and Chuck Todd Trump Fan Club has gotten obnoxious to the point where I stopped watching them too.  If I continue to boycott everybody who falls head over heels for Trump, I'm down to watching HGTV and Travel Channel......

We need someone like Tim Russert again.    

At this point I think Tim's son would do a better job than Chuck.

jamie said:

We need someone like Tim Russert again.   "> 

At this point I think Tim's son would do a better job than Chuck.

Totally agree.  I was shocked when Chuck Todd was elevated to that position.

mumstheword said:

soorlady said:

kibbegirl said:

Used to be a MSNBC watcher -- and then Trump decided to run and not drop out so I'm an infrequent watcher. Don't do Morning Joe anymore or Hardball. They appease Trump and handle him like fine crystal. Even my Boston brother Mike Barnicle seems unable to give an honest view point on Trump w/out Scarborough whining his way to mind changing. I no longer see Capeheart on there anymore. Maybe he got sick of playing nice for Trump? Viewers are at the mercy of the ratings monster and the monster's name is Trump. To be fair, it's not his fault that MSNBC kisses his ass for ratings. MSNBC is a different network entirely. The only shows worth it are Maddow and Last Word. 

I have to agree, I always felt that Morning Joe offered, for the most part, a fair and balanced political opinion.   However, Mika hates Hillary - HATES her, and they have pretty much ignored Bernie from the beginning -  so fair and balanced is gone and has been replaced with a Trump love fest.   Jeb Bush was right - Trump doesn't have to pay for ads and brochures, the media does it all for him for free.

And NBC a/k/a the Today Show and Chuck Todd Trump Fan Club has gotten obnoxious to the point where I stopped watching them too.  If I continue to boycott everybody who falls head over heels for Trump, I'm down to watching HGTV and Travel Channel......

Not everybody.

'Sen. Marco Rubio racked up a slew of establishment endorsements on Monday, days after one of his top competitors exited the presidential race.

Former Sen. Bob Dole, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, along with three senators and a coterie of members of the House all endorsed Rubio just two days after former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush ended his bid for president, after a poor showing in South Carolina.'

http://www.wmur.com/politics/tim-pawlenty-endorses-marco-rubio/38122270

I am aware that 'establishment' support for Rubio strengthens Trump's position.

I am also aware these endorsements come from super delegates.

Do any of those endorsers appear on HGTV or Travel Channel?

ridski said:

Do any of those endorsers appear on HGTV or Travel Channel?

Not that I've seen.....but if they do, I'll switch the channel fer sure!

TV Stations are in the entertainment business. Trump is entertainment.

mumstheword said:

ridski said:

Do any of those endorsers appear on HGTV or Travel Channel?

Not that I've seen.....but if they do, I'll switch the channel fer sure!

To be honest those are the only two channels I really watch these days anyway unless I'm slumming it down in Regular D where I'll watch H2 or American Heroes Channel for research.

ridski said:

Do any of those endorsers appear on HGTV or Travel Channel?

No, but they do appear at the convention with a delegates vote.

BCC said:

ridski said:

Do any of those endorsers appear on HGTV or Travel Channel?

No, but they do appear at the convention with a delegates vote.

The discussion was about television coverage of the campaign.

However if you want to change the subject I would suggest that the recent endorsers have only a handful of votes. They are endorsing to try to influence voter opinion. The problem is that the entire basis of Trump's support is rejection of the establishment. These endorsements will just fire up his supporters.

Marco Rubio seems to have the support of everyone but the voters.

BCC said:

ridski said:

Do any of those endorsers appear on HGTV or Travel Channel?

No, but they do appear at the convention with a delegates vote.

As the convention would be covered on TV channels boycotted by mumstheword  because of "everybody who falls head over heels for Trump" I have a feeling mumstheword (and myself) may still need to boycott those channels.

kibbegirl said:

Viewers are at the mercy of the ratings monster and the monster's name is Trump. To be fair, it's not his fault that MSNBC kisses his ass for ratings. MSNBC is a different network entirely. The only shows worth it are Maddow and Last Word. 

^^Amen to that.

LOST said:

BCC said:

ridski said:

Do any of those endorsers appear on HGTV or Travel Channel?

No, but they do appear at the convention with a delegates vote.

The discussion was about television coverage of the campaign.

However if you want to change the subject I would suggest that the recent endorsers have only a handful of votes. They are endorsing to try to influence voter opinion. The problem is that the entire basis of Trump's support is rejection of the establishment. These endorsements will just fire up his supporters.

Marco Rubio seems to have the support of everyone but the voters.

MSNBC and Morning Joe have now become objects of ridicule, and no one, including me, objects.

I think the numbers constitute more than a handful,

'Out of 2,470 total delegates at the Republican National Convention in 2016, 437 are unpledged delegates, who play the same role as superdelegates. Of the 437, 168 are members of the Republican National Committee.'

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/3397397/posts?page=4

The establishment is as aware of how their endorsement will be received as are you and I. They have finally realized if they don't strike back, and soon, Trump could become unstoppable. Unfortunately Rubio, not Kaisich, has been the choice of backers of the 'establishment' candidate.

LOST said:

TV Stations are in the entertainment business. Trump is entertainment.

Yeah, but the news divisions are supposed to be sacrosanct.  I grew up in the television industry where you genuflected every time you walked past Black Rock (actually, Mr. Paley insisted on it).  I know, I know that was then, this is now.

mumstheword said:

LOST said:

TV Stations are in the entertainment business. Trump is entertainment.

Yeah, but the news divisions are supposed to be sacrosanct.  I grew up in the television industry where you genuflected every time you walked past Black Rock (actually, Mr. Paley insisted on it).  I know, I know that was then, this is now.

It's not even infotainment now. The chance of actually learning anything valuable off one of those channels is 325/1.

ridski said:

mumstheword said:

LOST said:

TV Stations are in the entertainment business. Trump is entertainment.

Yeah, but the news divisions are supposed to be sacrosanct.  I grew up in the television industry where you genuflected every time you walked past Black Rock (actually, Mr. Paley insisted on it).  I know, I know that was then, this is now.

It's not even infotainment now. The chance of actually learning anything valuable off one of those channels is 325/1.

I have to say (as someone also said up thread), except for Rachel and Lawrence O'Donnell (he almost always just boils down the BS and gives you the facts).  I keep repeating his mantra:  Donald Trump is leading in the polls with 46%.   That's 46% of Republicans, which leaves 55% of Republicans not voting for him.  When you throw in the Independents and Democrats, it's a lot smaller audience for Mr. Trump (of course, I'm paraphrasing).  I'm sticking with that thought.

mumstheword said:

ridski said:

mumstheword said:

LOST said:

TV Stations are in the entertainment business. Trump is entertainment.

Yeah, but the news divisions are supposed to be sacrosanct.  I grew up in the television industry where you genuflected every time you walked past Black Rock (actually, Mr. Paley insisted on it).  I know, I know that was then, this is now.

It's not even infotainment now. The chance of actually learning anything valuable off one of those channels is 325/1.

I have to say (as someone also said up thread), except for Rachel and Lawrence O'Donnell (he almost always just boils down the BS and gives you the facts).  I keep repeating his mantra:  Donald Trump is leading in the polls with 46%.   That's 46% of Republicans, which leaves 55% of Republicans not voting for him.  When you throw in the Independents and Democrats, it's a lot smaller audience for Mr. Trump (of course, I'm paraphrasing).  I'm sticking with that thought.

Nice thought and I hope you're right, but Clinton won in 92 with 43% of the vote and less than 50% in 96. Nomination is still at least a 3 way race and no telling what can happen in November.

BCC said:

 Unfortunately Rubio, not Kaisich, has been the choice of backers of the 'establishment' candidate.

Unfortunate for the Republicans. To me Kasich is a much stronger General Election candidate than Rubio.

BCC said:

mumstheword said:

ridski said:

mumstheword said:

LOST said:

TV Stations are in the entertainment business. Trump is entertainment.

Yeah, but the news divisions are supposed to be sacrosanct.  I grew up in the television industry where you genuflected every time you walked past Black Rock (actually, Mr. Paley insisted on it).  I know, I know that was then, this is now.

It's not even infotainment now. The chance of actually learning anything valuable off one of those channels is 325/1.

I have to say (as someone also said up thread), except for Rachel and Lawrence O'Donnell (he almost always just boils down the BS and gives you the facts).  I keep repeating his mantra:  Donald Trump is leading in the polls with 46%.   That's 46% of Republicans, which leaves 55% of Republicans not voting for him.  When you throw in the Independents and Democrats, it's a lot smaller audience for Mr. Trump (of course, I'm paraphrasing).  I'm sticking with that thought.

Nice thought and I hope you're right, but Clinton won in 92 with 43% of the vote and less than 50% in 96. Nomination is still at least a 3 way race and no telling what can happen in November.

I can't take credit for the thought:  it's Lawrence O'Donnell's.  

Clinton won with percentages of the votes.  Trump right now is winning with percentages in polls.  Hopefully that's the difference.