On the January 29 edition of MSNBC's Morning Joe, co-host Joe Scarborough introduced an interview with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani by saying: “Let's go right now to former mayor, former America's Mayor -- I guess once you're called America's Mayor, you stay America's Mayor -- and also Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani.” Media figures have repeatedly touted Giuliani's reputation as "America's Mayor" following September 11, 2001, despite criticism over his actions before and after the terrorist attacks.
Media Matters for America recently released a video compilation of references to Giuliani as “America's Mayor” by Fox News anchors, correspondents, and contributors.
From the January 29 edition of MSNBC's Morning Joe:
SCARBOROUGH: Hey welcome back to the B-Line Diner right here in Orlando, Florida. We are at the center of things, center of the political universe.
MIKA BRZEZINSKI (co-host): Yes we are, with a big primary tonight and the Republicans, especially two of them, battling it out, neck-and-neck in the polls.
SCARBOROUGH: Well, they're neck-and-neck in the polls, but again, if you listen to what Tom Brokaw said to us after New Hampshire, you let the voters go first. Especially in a state like Florida where you've had almost half a million people vote early.
BRZEZINSKI: And, you know, there's someone else who might say that too.
SCARBOROUGH: Exactly. Let's go right now to former mayor, former America's Mayor -- I guess once you're called America's Mayor, you stay America's Mayor -- and also Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani. Thank you so much, Mr. Mayor, for being with us. How are you feeling today?