 As Donald Trump was securing the Republican Party nomination for President, Joe Scarborough (and Mika) found many opportunities to act as a spin-doctor (a master manipulator of interpreting events to surreptitiously influence opinion) for Donald Trump. Following Trump’s nomination and continuous misstatements, Joe’s spinning for Trump slowed considerably. Besides their personal relationship, Scarborough’s spin for Trump seemed based on a desire to stop Hillary Clinton at all costs and the belief that the Republican Party needed a boost of populism to be viable in future election cycles. Following some of Trump’s more racist statements, however, Scarborough distanced himself from Trump, and refrained from spinning for him. As Hillary seemed about to break away from a tie with Trump, however, Scarborough would again begin Spinning for Trump. |
| Scarborough’s off and on spinning for Trump may be more strategic than ad-libbed. Ensuring a close contest between Trump and Clinton also increases audience interest in the election, brings in ad revenue to MSNBC, and presumably, increases Scarborough’s bonuses. More importantly, a close contest between Trump and Clinton makes it more likely that voters may split vote for Republicans in the down ballot elections, regardless of their vote for President. Alternatively, if Clinton wins by more than 6 or more points, there may be less ballot splitting and the Democrats are more likely to take the Senate. |