Joe Scarborough was exposed on Twitter Friday for his anti-gun control past, despite his current rhetoric on guns.
Weekly Standard writer Jay Cost tweeted:
Hi, @JoeNBC! Apropos of nothing, are you a fan of the Almanac of American Politics? I am. Big time. I’ve bought used versions going back to the 1970s.
I just grabbed two at random from my shelf. See –> pic.twitter.com/7fvGy7g9AL
— Jay Cost (@JayCostTWS) February 16, 2018
Let’s open to a random page, ok @JoeNBC?
Why look … it’s you! How fun! I bet being a congressman was awesome! pic.twitter.com/F4Viiy76lr
— Jay Cost (@JayCostTWS) February 16, 2018
And, @JoeNBC, one of the cool things about the Almanac was that Michael Barone recorded key votes to give you a sense of what the congressman stood for. Here’s yours from the 104th.
Er … wait what’s this? pic.twitter.com/011xWDbCud
— Jay Cost (@JayCostTWS) February 16, 2018
Why @JoeNBC it looks as though you voted to repeal the assault weapons ban back in the 1990s. That can’t be so, can it, Joe? You are just so filled with righteous indignation today that I assumed you were consistent on this issue. pic.twitter.com/3o8bO3pusD
— Jay Cost (@JayCostTWS) February 16, 2018
Hey @JoeNBC I’m kind of freaking out here because here you are in the 2002 Almanac again. And here’s your voting record again. pic.twitter.com/eiapHbjIMn
— Jay Cost (@JayCostTWS) February 16, 2018
According to the Almanac, you voted AGAINST gun-show background checks in the 106th Congress, @JoeNBC. pic.twitter.com/yGNNqLFNgz
— Jay Cost (@JayCostTWS) February 16, 2018
Why, @JoeNBC, it looks as though when you had actual, real political power, you were with the NRA.
Now that you don’t have any power, you’re talking about politicians finding the courage to stand up to the NRA.
I’m so confused, because I know you to be a man of principle.
— Jay Cost (@JayCostTWS) February 16, 2018
My whole worldview is being rocked here, @JoeNBC. I’m starting to wonder if maybe your moralism is a schtick, and you’re an opportunistic preener. But that couldn’t be! I’m sure Barone and Cohen just consistently misreported your voting record.
Yeah that’s gotta be it.
— Jay Cost (@JayCostTWS) February 16, 2018
I am kind of freaked out by all this cognitive dissonance, @JoeNBC. So I’m gonna go chill to one of my favorite tunes. https://t.co/GEmsk2E0AM
— Jay Cost (@JayCostTWS) February 16, 2018
After a mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida this week, Scarborough went all-out to promote gun control on MSNBC. (RELATED: MSNBC’s Scarborough Labels Opponents Of Gun Control ‘Domestic Terrorist Enablers’ And ‘Useful Idiots’)
Scarborough, presumably in response, tweeted Friday:
As I have said publicly for years, while in Congress I was one of the 2nd Amendment’s strongest proponents. And even though the NRA worked nonstop to defeat me in my first campaign, they supported me after because I was always an unyielding advocate for gun rights. I still am.
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) February 16, 2018
As I said publicly in speeches, and TV and in columns, Newtown made me re-examine many of my views. I still support gun rights, carry laws, and Scalia’s view of the 2nd Amendment. But Newtown changed my thoughts on background checks and assault-style weapons, as did Heller.
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) February 16, 2018
For those frothing at the mouth thinking they just broke open Al Capone’s safe, stop humiliating yourselves publicly. I’ve been straightforward about my views on for years. I addressed it head on the Monday after Newtown.
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) February 16, 2018
I was one of the most unyielding advocates for gun rights in Congress. The fact that I still strongly support gun rights but am now pushing back hard against extremists who are damaging the cause as mass shooting become an American epidemic only proves my point more.
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) February 16, 2018
The 5 deadliest mass shootings in American history have occurred since I left Congress. Anyone with a conscience and a little common sense would re-examine their views before more blood is spilled in children’s classrooms, in church pews and at country music concerts.
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) February 16, 2018
“When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?”
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) February 16, 2018
You can’t argue facts.