MSNBC's Joe Scarborough clashed with wife Mika Brzezinski during a debate about the current state of the Democratic Party.

Scarborough, 62, said the party has so far failed to stop the looming government shutdown due to a lack of talent.

Brzezinski, 58, argued the party is dealing with an administration that's playing dirty.

The awkward exchange occurred on Wednesday's Morning Joe at around 7am.

Former Hillary Clinton director of communications Jennifer Palmieri had just admitted the party needs to 'stop complaining.'

Brzezinski added: 'I also just don't understand why we're blaming the Democrats for Republicans lying at the highest level of office.

'They have the biggest megaphone. They have TV networks that repeat the lies and say things on those networks with no consequence. And the things they say are violent. Okay? So they're not only repeating the lies, but adding to this coarseness. 

'And there's no consequence to it. And we're blaming the Democrats? We're blaming the Democrats for this. What exactly are the Democrats supposed to do?'

Scarborough said: 'They're supposed to fight back!' 

The two proceeded to talk over each other. Joining the panel as a guest was MSNBC veteran Chris Matthews. 

'They're supposed to know,' Scarborough said.

'And lie as well? Know what exactly?' Brzezinski fumed. She had been referring to a post from the president the day before that falsely claimed Democrats were seeking to give healthcare to undocumented immigrants - a lie later repeated by Speaker Mike Johnson and Vice President JD Vance 

'No!' Scarborough - a former Florida Republican - said, before bringing up how progressives in the past have had powerful assets like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

'Bill Clinton just completely abused and used Republicans every government shutdown. I know. I was there. He was smart enough politically to do it. 

'Barack Obama knew how to always get the best of Republicans. All right? 

'We're not blaming Democrats for Republicans lies. We're saying the Democrats at some point have to figure out how to answer those lies. And that's not whining. The whining comes from Democratic leaders that still don't have an answer to Republican lies 10 years into Donald Trump's terms.'

Brzezinski deferred to Palmieri, asking for her opinion on the party's best path forward.

'One of the biggest problems Democrats have [is] in fighting. 

'People have believed for years and years and years, ever since Obamacare was enacted, that illegal immigrants are getting benefits under that,' Palmieri said.

“This is now a time to air it and say that is not true. You all just spent about 10 minutes saying that's not true. Great. More people think that's not true. When [House Minority Leader] Hakeem Jeffries is on television, he says, ‘That's not true. It is false.’ 

'That's a good fight to have, I think, in terms of where this shutdown ends.' 

A few hours earlier, Senate Republicans announced they had scheduled another round of votes designed to give Democrats a chance to switch sides. The vote is scheduled for Wednesday evening. 

The US government began the shutdown process early Wednesday morning.

Democrats have blamed the shutdown on Trump and the GOP. They say Republicans are refusing to protects millions of Americans' healthcare.

Democrats are demanding an extension of Obamacare and the Affordable Care Act be included in the funding bill. 

As Palmieri indicated, the party has been prone to in-fights after House Minority Leader Chuck Schumer cut a deal with Republicans back in March without making any concessions. 

The GOP has a 53–47 majority and need seven Democrats to vote for a resolution.