About us Login Get email updates
Research
Print

Quick Fact: Scarborough baselessly claims criminal terror trials "extraordinarily unpopular in New York"

November 19, 2009 1:40 pm ET — 20 Comments

On the November 19 edition of MSNBC's Morning Joe, host Joe Scarborough baselessly claimed that Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to hold criminal trials for Guantánamo Bay detainees in New York's Southern District "is extraordinarily unpopular in New York."

Please upgrade your flash player. The video for this item requires a newer version of Flash Player. If you are unable to install flash you can download a QuickTime version of the video.

EMBED

From the November 19 edition of MSNBC's Morning Joe:

SCARBOROUGH: Well, let me ask you this, Mr. Mayor, because I love when you're on playing devil's advocate even when I agree with you and push you. I can't do that here because I really have -- the decision is unfathomable to me, so let me turn it this way. You have to admit: This is not in Barack Obama's political best interest. This is extraordinarily unpopular in New York. It's extraordinarily unpopular across the United States. So, you've got to give him credit for that. He's making a tough decision, but why? What do you think this is about? [MSNBC's Morning Joe, 11/19/09]

Fact: Poll shows plurality of New Yorkers support NYC trials

A November 17 Marist University poll found that "45% of residents think it's a good idea to have the trial in New York City while 41% believe it's a bad one. 14% just aren't sure." [Marist Poll, 11/17/09]

— T.A.
Support Our Work


Expand All Expand 1st Level Collapse All Add Comment
    • Author by congero6189599 (November 19, 2009 1:49 pm ET)
      7  
      Well he asked his friends. :-)
      Report Abuse
      • Author by smarshall1432997 (November 19, 2009 4:32 pm ET)
        2 1
        And we ALL know that Republicans will always back Republicans no matter what in EVERY situation. So, here we had Joe and Rudy both former Republican Politicians scaring Americans with Republican Talking Points. Nothing new, just two LOYAL Republicans pushing RTPs - LOL.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by southerngal (November 19, 2009 1:50 pm ET)
      2 8
      Why didn't MMfA include this poll? Because it didn't fit the narrative they like? Not so popular
      Report Abuse
      • Author by pongotwistleton (November 19, 2009 1:57 pm ET)
        3 5
        Why didn't MMfA include this poll?

        I know this one. It's because the bloggers/researchers here are disingenuous hacks.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by Max Credits (November 19, 2009 2:00 pm ET)
        7  
        Because Scarborough was baselessly asserting what he considers to be the opinion of New Yorkers. The poll Media Matters cites speaks to that and your does not.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by mk3872 (November 19, 2009 3:15 pm ET)
        7  
        That was a NATL poll vs. a poll of New Yorkers, which is quoted above and was the topic of the conservation. PAY ATTENTION!
        Report Abuse
      • Author by open_mind (November 19, 2009 9:08 pm ET)
        1  
        Why didn't MMfA include this poll?
        Well that is quite obvious. Your poll asks a different question:
        SUSPECTED TERRORISTS SHOULD BE TRIED IN…
        Open criminal court 40%
        Closed military court 54
        Here is the offending line from Scarborough:
        This is extraordinarily unpopular in New York. It's extraordinarily unpopular across the United States.
        The poll you cite is only for the entire US and it is not a question of approval/disapproval (like the one MMfA provided), it is a question of mere preference between two types of trials. If you ask me if I like ham sandwiches or turkey sandwiches, does my answer mean I oppose the one I do not choose? Personally I like both, but one more than the other. The question you cite obviously does not address that.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by Cheney2012 (November 19, 2009 2:10 pm ET)
      1 9
      When it is 45-41 -- just about statistically even -- then it's pretty darn unpopular.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by southerngal (November 19, 2009 2:13 pm ET)
        1 9
        Yep, the more accurate assessment would be it's slightly less unpopular in NY than the rest of the country.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Cheney2012 (November 19, 2009 2:18 pm ET)
          1 9
          Look at this way. If only 45 percent approved of George Bush, MMFA hacks would say he is unpopular. And they would be right!

          (Of course with Obama they might say he is just 'misunderstood')
          Report Abuse
        • Author by Max Credits (November 19, 2009 2:23 pm ET)
          8  
          So, since more NY'ers think the trial is a good idea than those who think it's a bad idea, Scarborough right to assert that having the trial in NYC is "extraordinarily unpopular"????
          Report Abuse
          • Author by southerngal (November 19, 2009 2:26 pm ET)
              9
            I wouldn't have used the term "extraordinarily", but it's kind of an extraordinarily petty thing to get on Scarborough about.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by Max Credits (November 19, 2009 2:30 pm ET)
              8  
              It's not petty for most NY'ers, especially those of us who watched the towers and bodies come down while breathing the toxins. Scarborough is wrong.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by southerngal (November 19, 2009 3:49 pm ET)
                1 3
                That is not what I meant and you know it. In any event, you will be surprised to find out that I think it's actually a good idea to hold this trial in NY, in criminal court as opposed to a military tribunal. I agree with Obama. There is no doubt this thug will be convicted and I think it will send a stronger message around the world that we are capable of dealing with these terrorists out open in our public judicial system, instead of some military court with a foregone conclusion.
                Report Abuse
                • Author by Max Credits (November 19, 2009 4:57 pm ET)
                  3  
                  Yeah, I know what you meant. You meant that Media Matters was being "extraordinarily petty" for calling out Scarborough's blatantly false statement about having the 9/11 trial in NYC.
                  Report Abuse
          • Author by DellDolly (November 19, 2009 11:22 pm ET)
            1  
            Man, RightON is just twisting in the wind now, isn't he? He's lost any shred of credibility he might have ever had. He only shows up (using this screen name) very irregularly nowadays, and I think we're about to lose him altogether.

            Oh, boo hoo.
            Report Abuse
      • Author by mk3872 (November 19, 2009 3:18 pm ET)
        7  
        The topic was IN NY. The poll you are quoting from is a natl poll. Pretty obvious, isn't it?
        Report Abuse
    • Author by spartanfan43 (November 19, 2009 4:31 pm ET)
      1 3
      Give it time. This decision was ridiculous and will prove to be a major MAJOR blunder for the Obama Administration. "Failure is not an option" - Eric Holder. Are you kidding me?!? Does anybody on this blog even remember the OJ trial? Oh sorry....most of you on here probably still believe he is innocent.
      Report Abuse

my.MediaMatters.org

Login  Sign Up

Push Back

Phone calls, emails and letters from the public do make a difference. Remember that to be effective you must be polite, and professional. Express your specific concerns regarding that particular news report or commentary, and indicate what you would like the media outlet to do differently in the future.