Morning Joe and Fox & Friends both applaud moderate Democrats after 2nd debate


A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
MSNBC's Morning Joe and Fox News' Fox & Friends were in agreement on Wednesday morning, with hosts on both shows happy with the presence of moderate Democrats on last night's debate stage.
MSNBC's Joe Scarborough, a former Republican congressman who is now an independent, was downright shaken the morning after the first debate in June, declaring it a "disaster for the Democratic Party" while blasting candidates' "free-for-all immigration policies" and more. But he was a lot happier with this one, expressing gratitude on Wednesday that Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) were "flanked on the wings by some moderates" who had a more "practical" and not an "overly utopian approach."
"Any Donald Trump supporter that saw this debate stage might not have as many easy targets moving forward as they did after the last round of Democratic debates," Scarborough said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In particular, Scarborough spent much of this segment criticizing Democrats who he views as going too far to the left with their health-care proposals, blasting the idea that ObamaCare was "somehow too conservative" and arguing that former President Obama "pushed America as far he could possibly push them." Later in the show, Scarborough again wondered how some of the more liberal Democrats' policies will play with Trump voters. "Let's get real for one second, politically," he said.
Meanwhile, Fox & Friends had a similar take, with Brian Kilmeade saying that "the biggest benefit to the Democrats last night were the moderates that pushed back on some of these wild policies before Donald Trump gets a hold of them," per Media Matters for America's Bobby Lewis. Ainsley Earhardt also praised former Maryland Rep. John Delaney for his attitude of, "Look, you've got to talk about what you can really pass," with Earhardt also saying Warren is like a candidate for student body president who promises, "'to put snack machines in every classroom.' It's not going to happen!"
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Brendan is a staff writer at The Week. A graduate of Hofstra University with a degree in journalism, he also writes about horror films for Bloody Disgusting and has previously contributed to The Cheat Sheet, Heavy, WhatCulture, and more. He lives in New York City surrounded by Star Wars posters.
-
Today's political cartoons — September 30, 2023
Saturday's cartoons - Trump's poll numbers, the Hunter Biden investigation, and more
By The Week Staff Published
-
10 things you need to know today: September 30, 2023
Daily Briefing Government shutdown looms after failed House vote, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein dies at 90, and more
By Justin Klawans Published
-
All about Zealandia, the Earth’s potential 8th continent
The Explainer The secret continent went undiscovered for over 300 years
By Devika Rao Published
-
Dianne Feinstein, history-making Democratic US senator, dies at 90
The Explainer Her colleagues celebrate her legacy as a trailblazer who cleared the path for other women to follow
By Theara Coleman Published
-
Will the cannabis banking bill get the Senate's green light?
Talking Point The SAFER Banking Act is advancing to the US Senate for the first time, clearing a major hurdle for legal cannabis businesses. Does it stand a chance?
By Theara Coleman Published
-
Biden creates White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention
Speed Read The office will be led by Vice President Kamala Harris
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Rishi Sunak lambasts China after allegations of spy in UK Parliament
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Judge denies Mark Meadows' request to move Georgia case to federal court
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson dies at 75
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Clarence Thomas officially discloses trips from billionaire GOP donor
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Judge schedules Trump federal election plot trial for crowded March 2024
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published