Scarborough to Brzezinski on Morning Joe: "[D]on't make me backhand you"

On the January 30 edition of MSNBC's Morning Joe, host Joe Scarborough said to co-host Mika Brzezinski, "Mika, don't make me backhand you." Scarborough made the comment after telling CNBC chief political correspondent John Harwood: "I, actually -- I don't endorse anybody because, as you know, I'm a journalist," prompting Brzezinski to laugh. Brzezinski responded to Scarborough's "backhand" remark: "Oh, lord."

From the January 30 edition of MSNBC's Morning Joe:

HARWOOD: I think, Joe -- I know you were holding back, but I think that [Florida Gov.] Charlie Crist [R] endorsement might have had even more juice than a Scarborough endorsement. What do you think?

BRZEZINSKI: I think so.

SCARBOROUGH: I, actually -- I don't endorse anybody because, as you know, I'm a journalist. However, there's no doubt, there are two things --

BRZEZINSKI: [laughing]

HARWOOD: I get it.

SCARBOROUGH: --that hurt -- Mika, don't make me backhand you. Mika is --

BRZEZINSKI: Oh, lord.

SCARBOROUGH: -- in a very bad way this morning because she's a big McCain fan, her brother works for McCain, so she's very excited.

BRZEZINSKI: Well, I'm happy for my brother.

—M.G.