Behar and McCain Clash in ‘Hissy Fit’ Over Democrat Amy Klobuchar’s Candidacy

'The View' co-hosts sparred during another painfully awkward segment on the air as they discussed the latest 2020 contenders

By Kathryn Blackhurst | February 11, 2019

ABC News’ “The View” co-hosts Joy Behar and Meghan McCain clashed awkwardly during a Monday segment in which they discussed Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s (D-Minn.) presidential bid — and Behar even accused McCain of throwing a “hissy fit.”

Klobuchar (shown above center) officially launched her 2020 presidential campaign on Sunday.

She formally made her announcement outside during a snow storm.

But Klobuchar found herself engulfed in controversy last week when reports portraying her as a temperamental and hostile employer circulated.

President Donald Trump took note of Klobuchar’s entry into the crowded Democratic field.

He tweeted on Sunday, “Well, it happened again. Amy Klobuchar announced that she is running for president, talking proudly of fighting global warming while standing in a virtual blizzard of snow, ice and freezing temperatures. Bad timing. By the end of her speech she looked like a snowman(woman)!”

Klobuchar punched back on Twitter.

She wrote, “Science is on my side, @realDonaldTrump. Looking forward to debating you about climate change (and many other issues). And I wonder how your hair would fare in a blizzard?”

Then she asked for campaign contributions.

Behar (above left) broached the topic during a segment on Monday’s show.

“She kicked off her presidential campaign in the middle of a blizzard, and Trump mocked her,” Behar said.

McCain (above right) interjected, asking, “This is real?”

That led Behar to gripe, “Can I get through this, please?”

Behar continued to set the scene as she pointed to Trump’s tweet and Klobuchar’s response.

“This whole thing is so stupid,” McCain said.

But before McCain could say anything else, co-hosts Abby Huntsman and Sunny Hostin offered their own takes.

“I think she’s trying to poke the bear. When you attack [Trump] physically, you know … that triggers him,” said Huntsman. “And if he attacks a woman for any physical appearance, that is when people cannot stand by that. I do wonder if it’s a smart strategy for her to do that, or if you’re more effective as a Democratic candidate to try and rise above it — rise above the bullying and criticism?”

Behar replied by paraphrasing former first lady Michelle Obama’s catchphrase, saying, “So when they go low, we go high? That whole thing? Or when they go low, we get high? That’s more to the point.”

Related: Behar Reportedly Threatens to Quit After Fight with McCain

Hostin, for her part, said Trump may have “met his match,” since Klobuchar “has a reputation for being a pretty tough woman, for having not the best temperament.”

“That’s what the country needs,” Huntsman put in. “We just need a slide to the bottom and just keep bullying each other. That’s what the country needs.”

McCain finally got a word in, asking, “Can I say something now? Is that OK?”

Behar replied, “Yes, go ahead. Yes, you may now.”

But McCain kept complaining, saying, “Can I have permission to speak now on Amy Klobuchar? We’re all good? OK.”

Shortly after McCain began speaking, she interrupted herself after apparently catching sight of Behar’s off-screen facial expression.

“Nope, by all means, keep going, Joy,” McCain said.

Behar fired back, “No, if you’re going to have a hissy fit, we can’t continue.”

After an awkward pause, Behar jumped to another topic without allowing McCain to offer an opinion on Klobuchar’s presidential bid.

This isn’t the first time Behar and McCain have clashed on the air by any means.

Behar reportedly threatened to quit the show following an explosive clash in early December, according to The Daily Mail.

The co-hosts were discussing the life and legacy of former President George H.W. Bush, who served as the nation’s 41st president from 1989 to 1993. He passed away at age 94 in his home in Houston on November 30.

Behar used Bush’s death to bash Trump by comparing the two presidents.

That didn’t sit well with McCain — who asked, “Can we focus on the president, please. I just — I don’t want to talk about Trump.”

“Well, I do for a second. So excuse me,” Behar retorted.

The two of them argued for a bit before McCain told Behar, “I’m not interested in your one-issue” voting concern.

An incensed Behar fired back, “I don’t care what you are interested in. I’m talking! Damn it!”

The two shouted over each other until co-host Whoopi Goldberg abruptly called for a commercial break.

Check out more in the video below:

This piece originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.

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