Scarborough: 'Certain Networks' Would Maul 'Boss Hogg' Barbour In Run Against Obama

August 19th, 2010 8:10 AM

Gee, I wonder which network Joe had in mind . . .

Joe Scarborough likes Haley Barbour.  But he doesn't like the "optics" of the southern governor running for president against Barack Obama.  Scarborough's worried that "certain networks" would "maul" the man Scarborough referred to as "Boss Hogg." [H/t reader Ray R.]

Interestingly, both the Politico's Jim VandeHei and Tina Brown of the Daily Beast were able to see more of an upside for Haley.  VandeHei described him as best among Republicans at articulating conservative principles, while Brown saw the hands-on governor's potential as the "un-Barack."

Also revealing was that in praising Barbour, Scarborough focused solely on Haley's willingness to stand up against the "crackpots" in the Republican party.  

Watch as Joe tiptoes his way through the minefield of MSNBC's internal politics.

My two cents: should Haley really be worried about being slimed by the likes of Matthews/Olbermann/Maddow?  I don't think so.  First, they are simply not that influential.  Second, he would wear their scorn as a badge of honor in most of America.