Joe Scarborough Quotes

Powerful Joe Scarborough for Daily Growth

About Joe Scarborough

Joseph Cobb Scarborough, popularly known as Joe Scarborough, is an American cable news host, attorney, and politician who has made significant contributions to media, politics, and literature. Born on April 9, 1963, in Atlanta, Georgia, he grew up in Pensacola, Florida, where his political interest was fostered by a family that valued public service. Scarborough studied at the University of Alabama and later graduated from the University of Miami School of Law. After law school, he practiced as an attorney in Florida before entering politics. In 1994, he was elected to serve as a U.S. Representative for Florida's 1st congressional district, a position he held until 2001 when he decided not to seek re-election. In 2003, Scarborough transitioned into media, joining MSNBC as a political analyst. His popularity grew with the launch of his own morning talk show, "Morning Joe," in 2007. The show, co-hosted by Mika Brzezinski, has become one of MSNBC's most successful programs due to its dynamic and often controversial discussions on politics and current events. As a writer, Scarborough has authored several books, including "Rome Wasn't Burnt in a Day: The Real Deal on How Politicians, Bureaucrats, and Others Are Screwing Up America" (2004), "The Last Best Hope: America in the World War We've Only Just Begun" (2008), and "Super PACs: The Upstart Start-ups Reshaping American Politics" (2013). These works reflect his insights on politics, history, and American culture. Scarborough continues to influence public discourse through his work on television and in literature, offering a unique perspective informed by his background in law and politics. His career serves as an inspiring example of a successful transition from politics to media, and his work remains influential in contemporary political discussions.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"In this business, you don't have to be a partisan hack to lose your objectivity."

This quote emphasizes that being partisan or biased can compromise one's ability to maintain objectivity in their professional work, particularly within the media industry. Scarborough is suggesting that adhering too closely to a specific political viewpoint can cloud judgment and prevent fair reporting or analysis, ultimately leading to a loss of impartiality.


"Truth isn't the newest thing, it's the oldest thing in the world."

This quote emphasizes that truth is not a fleeting or transient concept, but rather an enduring, eternal one. The "newest thing" typically refers to trends, ideas, or information that are current, modern, or novel. In contrast, the "oldest thing in the world" signifies something timeless and unchanging, such as truth. In essence, Scarborough's statement underscores the idea that truth has been consistent throughout history and will continue to remain so, regardless of changing trends, fashion, or cultural shifts. This quote encourages us to seek and value truth above temporary phenomena, emphasizing its importance in our pursuit of wisdom and understanding.


"The job of the free press is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable."

This quote by Joe Scarborough emphasizes the role of a free press as a safeguard for justice and transparency in society. By "comforting the afflicted," it refers to providing support and empathy towards marginalized or oppressed groups who are suffering injustice, while "afflicting the comfortable" means challenging those in power by exposing their wrongdoings or shortcomings. In essence, a free press serves as both a comforter and a conscience for society.


"Democrats and Republicans have to learn again that it's not enough to simply attack each other, that governing requires working together."

This quote emphasizes that political parties - in this case, Democrats and Republicans - must recognize the need for cooperation beyond merely criticizing one another. To effectively govern, they should prioritize finding common ground and collaborating on issues instead of solely focusing on opposition and attack. In essence, it suggests a more unified and cooperative approach to politics is necessary for the benefit of society as a whole.


"Sometimes you have to speak truth to power. But more often, you have to speak truth against power."

This quote emphasizes that speaking the truth isn't always a matter of confronting those in power, but also standing up against them when necessary. It suggests that sometimes, the truth may not align with the interests or perspectives of those who hold power, and it is important to courageously express these truths even if they challenge the status quo or established authority. In essence, it encourages us to prioritize honesty over conformity, especially when it comes to issues of importance.


They'd rather see Scooby Doo or Spongebob than Daddy talking about the latest Wall Street Journal editorial. You do what you have to do to get your kids ready for school.

- Joe Scarborough

Rather, About, Editorial, Journal

I don't want to return to the past. I don't yearn for when I was 18 years old. I was in high school then. I had acne. I had a terrible hairdo. I'm sure I was sporting polyester pants.

- Joe Scarborough

Past, Pants, Sure, Polyester

I went to Alabama, so I'm still very devoted to Alabama football and the SEC.

- Joe Scarborough

Very, Still, Devoted, SEC

I'm not a car guy. The subway gets me where I need to go efficiently and cheaply, and I don't worry about traffic.

- Joe Scarborough

Worry, Need, Cheaply, Traffic

In Washington, I found myself as a 31-year-old in a room with the president, vice president, and secretaries of state and defense, and I was unfazed by it. But get me around a rock star I grew up with and I have trouble completing sentences.

- Joe Scarborough

Star, Rock Star, Vice, Vice President

There are 435 members of Congress. There's one 'Morning Joe' show. Hopefully, we can keep hammering the argument that you can disagree with other people and have debates but remain civil.

- Joe Scarborough

Argument, Other, Joe, Debates

When I was in Congress, I worked with Joe Kennedy to rename the Justice Department for Bobby, and when I retired, Teddy Kennedy sent me this Roy Lichtenstein print of his brother, inscribed: 'Bobby would have been proud of you.'

- Joe Scarborough

Congress, Been, Joe, Roy

We're going to look awfully stupid if we give income tax relief to people who do not pay income taxes.

- Joe Scarborough

Stupid, Give, Income, Relief

Do not miss your children's childhood. Do not be away 200 nights a year as I was. Do not put strains on your marriage or family.

- Joe Scarborough

Childhood, Year, Away, Strains

Unfortunately, I've gotten so conditioned, it's hard to sleep past 4 a.m.

- Joe Scarborough

Sleep, Past, Gotten, Conditioned

The Republican Party needs to reform or die. President Bush did three things. He destroyed the Republican majority, he crippled the American conservative movement and he weakened the country.

- Joe Scarborough

Die, Country, Needs, Crippled

I'm serious about this. The Republican Party needs to reform or die. President Bush did three things. He destroyed the Republican majority, he crippled the American conservative movement and he weakened the country. That's a hell of a trifecta.

- Joe Scarborough

Die, Conservative, Country, Crippled

This is all about a media war that continues to rage between the old and new media. Unfortunately for our soldiers, these brave Americans are caught in the crossfire.

- Joe Scarborough

New, Old, Caught, New Media

When I'm in town on Sundays, I sometimes go down to the Central Bar in the East Village to watch English football. But my natural inclination now is to get in the car with my wife and kids and get out of town.

- Joe Scarborough

Down, Sometimes, Out, Sundays

Just because everybody else is engaged in a group hug with Barack Obama doesn't mean that somebody doesn't have to tell the truth.

- Joe Scarborough

Tell, Everybody, Engaged, Hug

I got to do something I never do, which is go to Starbucks and read 'The New York Times' until 7 a.m. I took my daughter to school on the East Side, which was a lot of fun. And I admit I played Call of Duty, one of those war video games.

- Joe Scarborough

Got, Video, Lot, New York Times

I see it all the time in politics. If a candidate gets caught in a lie, he quickly tries to change the subject by throwing more mud at his opponent. The mud keeps flying until some of the slanderous material sticks.

- Joe Scarborough

Politics, Caught, Tries, Mud

I'm not an angry person. When I write, the lawyer in me tries to make it as easy to read as possible.

- Joe Scarborough

I Write, Tries, Read, Lawyer

For eight years Republicans worked around the clock to delegitimize Bill Clinton. For the next eight years, Democrats tried to delegitimize Bush. Now Barack Obama is enduring the rage of his conservative opposition.

- Joe Scarborough

Conservative, Next, Enduring, None

Look what's happened to Barack Obama over the last two years or George Bush for eight. It's a blood sport. But at some point I may feel the need to run for office again.

- Joe Scarborough

Some, Bush, Obama, None

Ronald Reagan knew who he was. Barack Obama is still working through that equation politically.

- Joe Scarborough

Through, Still, Reagan, None

My wife always tells people, 'He's not going to be able run to for anything because I'm not going to let him start a campaign.'

- Joe Scarborough

Wife, Always, Going, Campaign

Today they have proven once again that the mainstream media can't print enough bad news about our troops.

- Joe Scarborough

News, Bad, Again, Mainstream Media

I have three favorite politicians: Reagan, Truman, and Bobby Kennedy - Bobby for showing remarkable political courage despite being loathed by many on both sides.

- Joe Scarborough

Both Sides, Reagan, Sides

With my hours, I don't hang out with anybody. I work and come home to my Upper West Side apartment.

- Joe Scarborough

Hours, Hang, Side, Apartment

If Washington continues to fumble issues like taking care of the debt, getting the troops home, and rebuilding our economy, my wife and I may sit down and say, 'These are critical things and maybe we need to get back in the ball.'

- Joe Scarborough

Rebuilding, Critical, Maybe, Troops

I was always fascinated by politics, and I did not like the direction the country was going under Bill Clinton.

- Joe Scarborough

Politics, Country, Always, Bill

Washington is Hollywood for ugly people.

- Joe Scarborough

People, Ugly, Hollywood, Washington

I love the Upper West Side. I walk down the street all the time and am stopped by Democrats. I don't think they've ever actually met a Republican before.

- Joe Scarborough

Love, Think, Side, Democrats

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.