Entries from Jul 2015
For The Daily Beast: Our Cynical Politic...

In Mike Barnicle’s latest column for The Daily Beast, he describes the Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015 and the jubilant, all-too-rare example it provides of seeing the world coming together for a common good. Mike reminds us that the greatest disability is fear: “…there were the Iraqis and the Americans, the French, and athletes from Congo, India, Canada, Mexico, Japan… a world of people with intellectual disabilities who seemed to understand the concept of togetherness, inclusion, equality, diversity, fearlessness and courage far better than those who loudly proclaim their own partisan views and narrow politics that have so divided this country and others too.” Read the entire column here.

Our Cynical Politicians Could Learn a Lot From Special Olympians

https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/26/our-cynical-politicians-could-learn-a-lot-from-special-olympians.html

Mike Barnicle on Willie Geist’s upcoming appearance on Spike’s show Lip Sy...

“Tonight…you could be watching something great or you could be watching the demise of a promising young man’s career,” says Mike Barnicle of Morning Joe’s Willie Geist and his upcoming appearance on Spike’s show Lip Sync Battle. Watch a preview of Willie Geist performing Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” in a battle against Bravo’s Andy Cohen. Lip Sync Battle, produced by Jimmy Fallon and hosted by LL Cool J, airs Thursdays at 10 PM on Spike. Check your local listings.

Mike Barnicle on the bond between former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. B...

On MSNBC’s Morning Joe, TIME Magazine’s Editor Nancy Gibbs and Washington Bureau Chief Michael Duffy discuss their recent cover story on the unlikely bond between former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. “Unsurprisingly, part of this relationship has its roots in the temperament and good nature of 41, George H.W. Bush, and a note that he left for Bill Clinton in the Oval Office,” says Mike Barnicle, bringing the focus back on the significance of former President George H.W. Bush’s initial comments towards President Clinton: “By the time you read this, I’ll be rooting for you.” Watch the discussion on the relationship and how it impacts Hillary Clinton’s and Jeb Bush’s current presidential campaigns. Read the TIME article at https://ti.me/1Lxwyet.

Mike Barnicle with Senator Tim Kaine on Iran’s deals with the IAEA

Continuing the conversation on Iran’s deals with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Morning Joe’s Mike Barnicle asks Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, about details of the bipartisan Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, which requires a 60-day congressional review of any comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran. Listen to Sen. Kaine’s description of the rules here. Only on MSNBC.

Mike Barnicle with Senator Tom Cotton on “side” deals between Iran and the IAEA...

Following revelations of the existence of “side” deals between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, talks with Morning Joe’s Mike Barnicle about attempts to review those deals before voting on the pending U.S.-Iran nuclear agreement. “What would you expect to happen if after a closed session with Secretary John Kerry he does not outline what is in this agreement with the IAEA?,” asks Mike of Senator Cotton. Listen to Sen. Cotton’s response here. Only on MSNBC.

Mike Barnicle talks with Rick Santorum on Morning Joe

Former U.S. Senator and Republican Presidential candidate Rick Santorum joins MSNBC’s Morning Joe and talks with Mike Barnicle about his views about the upcoming Fox News Republican debate. Listen to Sen. Santorum’s thoughts on national polls here and why he thinks he should be included in the debate.

Mike Barnicle, aghast at Senator Rubio saying President Obama has “no class”

“What is wrong–? I don’t get these people!,” says Mike Barnicle, aghast at Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) claim on Fox News’ Fox & Friends that President Barack Obama has “no class” and that we must “restore dignity and class to the White House.” Says Mike: “You are correct to be speechless.” Watch the Fox News clip and the reaction on MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

Mike Barnicle on Donald Trump’s chances as a candidate for the presidency

Amid the persistent conversation on Donald Trump, Mike Barnicle and Joe Scarborough try to get to the bottom of what his presidential candidacy means in the long run. “I think Donald Trump has zero shot of getting that nomination. But, do you think that what Donald Trump is doing now on the public stage—and we’ve been talking about him for 15 minutes here—has the potential of really hurting the Republicans’ message and branding?,” asks Mike. Watch the Morning Joe debate between Mike and Joe on Trump’s chances as a candidate for the presidency. On MSNBC.

Mike Barnicle on Senator Lindsey Graham’s “How To Destroy Your Cell Phone” video...

“Apparently, he is not aware that all you have to do is change your phone number,” jokes Morning Joe’s Mike Barnicle of Senator Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) “How To Destroy Your Cell Phone” video, which was his comedic response to Donald Trump disclosing his phone number on national television. Watch clips from Sen. Graham’s viral video here. On MSNBC.

Senator Lindsey Graham talks with Mike Barnicle about the ongoing battle against...

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a Republican presidential candidate, joins MSNBC’s Morning Joe and talks with Mike Barnicle about the ongoing battle against ISIS inside Iraq. “Last week—because of all the Donald Trump and political news—we sort of brushed over as a country in the news business the fact that the U.S. has just sold some more F16s to Iraq and several hundred MRAP vehicles. In light of the fact that we have lost so many of them to ISIS as the Iraqi army has collapsed on us—especially the MRAPs—what would your thinking be now on inserting more American troops as part of our strategy?,” asks Mike of Senator Graham. Listen to Sen. Graham’s response here and why he thinks there should be 10,000 American boots on the ground in Iraq.

Mike Barnicle and Glamour magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Cindi Leive on “Train...

“Trainwreck,” comedian Amy Schumer’s latest film, becomes the subject of discussion on MSNBC’s Morning Joe for its updated depiction of the lives of young women and the uncomfortable conversations sparked between parents and teenagers. “What these movies are—and they’re done with a purpose and direction—is basically 110-minute-long versions of social media conversations. That’s why they’re so popular,” says Mike Barnicle. Watch the conversation with the Morning Joe panel and Glamour magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Cindi Leive here.

Mike Barnicle on the traditional presidential candidates’ low favorability...

On MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Mike Barnicle assesses the sentiment behind low favorability ratings toward traditional presidential candidates in the 2016 election. “The estrangement from the [political] process extends beyond party lines. I think Hillary Clinton’s candidacy is a casualty of this estrangement …and it’s partially responsible for Donald Trump’s rise in the polls. You ask people today if they are a Republican or Democrat and they say: ‘I’m neither, I’m pissed.’ Mike goes on to say the sentiment is not party specific but that Republicans and Democrats are tired of rising taxes and no bang for their buck, and the polarization of politics. Listen to the rest of Mike’s comments here, including his take on why Hillary Clinton’s campaign continues to struggle. “She simply does not wear well,” he adds.

Mike Barnicle talks with Brian Sullivan about possible changes in the oil indust...

Following the enduring rise of Chinese companies on Fortune’s Global 500 list, Morning Joe’s Mike Barnicle talks with CNBC’s Brian Sullivan about possible changes in the oil industry. “What impact, if any, will the release of the lessoning of sanctions on the Iran deal have on the growth of oil companies in countries like France, China, and Russia?,” asks Mike. Listen to Sullivan’s analysis of the situation here. On MSNBC.

Mike Barnicle on Barry Bonds not getting into the Baseball Hall of Fame anytime ...

“Unfortunately for Barry Bonds, and baseball in a sense, he is not going to get into the Baseball Hall of Fame anytime soon,” says Mike Barnicle following news that the U.S. Justice Department dropped what was left of their criminal case against the career Major League Baseball home runs leader, Barry Bonds. Known for his All-Star performances with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Francisco Giants, Bonds stood accused of obstruction of justice for denying he received steroids or human growth hormones from his former trainer. Watch the story here. Only on MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

Mike Barnicle talks about the influence of television in Donald Trump’s campaign...

As the media frenzy over Donald Trump’s presidential campaign continues, Morning Joe’s Mike Barnicle talks with Joe Scarborough about the influence of television in his campaign. “The people in New Hampshire and South Carolina aren’t being prompted by the Nightly News to go out and see Donald Trump, but they are being encouraged to go see Donald Trump because he is a side show. They know he is never, ever, ever going to be President of the United States, but they might get a few chuckles in the middle of a hot summer by going out to listen to him,” says Mike. He also sums up the concern over too much Trump media coverage and points directly to Morning Joe: “We played a clip of a sitting United States Senator, Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and it was about a 15-second clip. We’ve been talking about Donald Trump now, and showing Donald Trump, for about 12 minutes. Trump is on overload.” Listen to the conversation here between Mike and the MSNBC Morning Joe panel on Trump comparisons to Italy’s Silvio Berlusconi and The Huffington Post’s decision to assign Trump-related news to the entertainment section.

Mika Brzezinski reads from Mike Barnicle’s column for The Daily Beast

On MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Mika Brzezinski reads from Mike Barnicle’s column for The Daily Beast, which highlights Secretary of State John Kerry’s outrage over Donald Trump’s offensive dismissal of Senator John McCain’s heroic military service. “Trump’s assault on McCain evoked immediate anger in Kerry because it resurrected feelings within him that are always there, certainly beneath a surface calm but always, always there: A long gone war called Vietnam…. A war that awoke him one more time because of a libelous slur uttered by a real estate man against a friend of Kerry’s who will line up against him on the treaty with Iran. But that didn’t matter because brothers in arms form a bond far stronger than politics,” writes Mike. Read Mike’s entire column at https://thebea.st/1HEibkq Watch Morning Joe here.

Mike Barnicle talks with filmmaker Doc King about his new documentary “Pro...

On MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Mike Barnicle and Mika Brzezinski talk with co-founder of Medicinal Missions/filmmaker Doc King about his new documentary “Project 22,” which seeks to raise awareness about the high rate of suicide amongst veterans—estimated in 2013 at 22 veterans per day—and offer hope and inspiration to brothers and sisters-at-arms. Watch the full segment and clips from the film’s 6,500 mile motorcycle ride here, along with a discussion between Doc and Mike on the isolation felt by combat veterans. More on the film at: https://medicinalmissions.com

For The Daily Beast: Trump Awakens Kerry...

In Mike Barnicle’s latest column for The Daily Beast, he shines a spotlight on Secretary of State John Kerry’s outrage over Donald J. Trump‘s charge that Senator John McCain is not a war hero. Quoting a conversation with Kerry, Mike writes: “John and I have some serious differences on a lot of things but he is nothing other than a hero and a good man. Where was Trump when John got shot down over North Vietnam? In school? At a party? Where was he?” Continues Mike: Trump’s assault on McCain evoked immediate anger in Kerry because it resurrected feelings within him that are always there, certainly beneath a surface calm but always, always there: A long gone war called Vietnam. Read the whole column here.

Trump Awakens Kerry’s Vietnam Anger With Slam On McCain

https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/19/trump-awakens-kerry-s-vietnam-anger-with-slam-on-mccain.html

Mike Barnicle on this year’s Primetime Emmy Award nominations

On MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Mike Barnicle and Joe Scarborough react to this year’s Primetime Emmy Award nominations, which include 34 nominations for Netflix. “Netflix’s Bloodline is great,” says Mike of the show Bloodline’s Kyle Chandler being nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Watch the rest of the Emmy nomination conversation here. On MSNBC.

“(Donald) Trump does not care. He’s not a politician,” says Mike Barnicle...

“(Donald) Trump does not care. He’s not a politician,” says Mike Barnicle during the continuing conversation on Morning Joe about Trump’s tactics against fellow Republican presidential candidates. Hear the conversation here. Only on MSNBC’s Morning Joe.