MSNBC's Joe Scarborough Blasts Rubio For “Nativist,” “Crass” Campaign Ad

Scarborough: “He's Doing This Nativist BS To Try To Appeal [To Trump Supporters]. It Is Such A Crass And Ham-Fisted Play”

From the December 22 edition of MSNBC's Morning Joe:

Video file

JOE SCARBOROUGH (HOST): “People who feel out of place in their own country” is the key phrase.

MIKA BRZEZINSKI (HOST): So, Joe, you tweeted -- I could tell that struck a chord with you. You tweeted pretty critical, “Marco goes full-on nativist. Says he feels out of place in his own country. It's such a crass play, it's offensive.” Plus, you also said, “To Marco (& movie stars promising to move to Canada if a Republican is elected), if that's how you feel about America, just leave now.” This morning, Joe, here's a recent Rubio fundraising email --

SCARBOROUGH: Oh good.

BRZEZINSKI: -- And I just think you might recognize someone's name in it.

SCARBOROUGH: I didn't get one.

BRZEZINSKI: His campaign claims his message is catching on and that Democrats, the media, and the political establishment on both sides know it and they're absolutely terrified.

[...]

SCARBOROUGH: Somebody sends me this and sends me a link to a pollster saying the top thing that somebody who's trying to appeal to nativist voters says is, “I don't feel like I belong even [in] my own country.” Now, here's a guy that flies around in private jets every day. And he has for years. Here's a guy that sits in luxury suites at Miami Dolphins football games and other football games around America. Here's a guy that got paid $800,000 by a massive, powerful Manhattan publishing company to write a book -- $800,000. More than most of the people he's shaking hands with make in ten years, he makes it for writing a book. And he's got the guts to go on and lift a line out of this nativist playbook. “I don't belong in my own -- I feel like I don't belong in my own country.” Because he wants to appeal to Donald Trump's crowd. This is a guy that does belong in this country. Because this is a guy whose father came over here, not the way Marco told us he came over here. But his father came over here. His family embodies the American dream. And he's doing this nativist BS to try to appeal. It is such a crass and ham-fisted play. Again, this is what a student government president does when he wants to get elected with the nativist vote.

Related:

Joe Scarborough Blows Up At 'Nativist' Marco Rubio Campaign Ad

Previously:

Will CNN Debate Moderators Ask Marco Rubio About His Shifting Position On Immigration?

CNN's Dana Bash Asks Rubio About His Changing Position On Immigration

Fox Gives Marco Rubio A Pass On Washington Post Front-Page Report Detailing Personal Profits From Political Clout