"If Hillary ran, I'd have to run against her,"

June 13, 2002 3:01 PM

"If Hillary ran, I'd have to run against her," proclaims Dr. Laura Schlessinger. Interviewed for the new print publication of the right-fringe Newsmax.Com, Schlessinger describes Hillary (and Bill) as "perverse, disturbed and destructive … and immoral." and says that if Clinton throws her hat into the ring for a 2004 presidential bid, she will feel it necessary to follow suit. There aren't really words...
posted by Dreama (46 comments total)

There aren't really words...

but there are pictures.

google it yourself. i'm not going to.
posted by lescour at 3:07 PM on June 13, 2002

ugh. and I thought Gore or Bush were painful choices...
posted by stifford at 3:10 PM on June 13, 2002

Yes, well...she can run...but are the Republicans really going to put her up as a serious candidate? Come now. Think they're gonna toss Dubya just to get Dr. Laura? Not bloody likely. And she wouldn't stand an icecube's chance in Dallas of winning a Dems spot. So, it's all just hyperbole...something to sell magazines. But still, I'm just amazed she hasn't gone away yet. Aren't her 15 minutes up?
posted by dejah420 at 3:18 PM on June 13, 2002

Ah, Hello kettle. This is the pot speaking.

This coming from someone who is hypocritical, has posed for nude pictures, and gone through a divorce while cheating on her husband.

People who ride the moral high-horse make me sick. People who do it while they've been less-than-stellar morally themselves makes me sicker.
posted by aacheson at 3:19 PM on June 13, 2002

Oops, the link for "posing for nude pictures" was wrong. And it's not to the pictures...
posted by aacheson at 3:20 PM on June 13, 2002

oh, i don't know...how does Schlessinger/Rush 2004 sound?
posted by th3ph17 at 3:25 PM on June 13, 2002

"how does Schlessinger/Rush 2004 sound?"

Like a landslide Democratic victory.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 3:30 PM on June 13, 2002

oh, i don't know...how does Schlessinger/Rush 2004 sound?

Why would Limbaugh take the #2 job behind a woman who is well on her way to having an audience of exactly zero by the end of 2002? That's like asking the Beatles to open for the Dave Clark Five.
posted by ljromanoff at 4:08 PM on June 13, 2002

Like a landslide Democratic victory.

Wow, do you think they would as Democrats?
posted by billman at 4:11 PM on June 13, 2002

Like a landslide Democratic victory.

Wow, do you think they would as Democrats?
posted by billman at 4:11 PM on June 13, 2002

That's like asking the Beatles to open for the Dave Clark Five.

Or David Bowie to open for Moby.
posted by crunchland at 4:41 PM on June 13, 2002

dr. laura should go into comedy. she can be real funny sometimes.

i would LOVE to see her get her ass kicked by Hillary.
posted by tsarfan at 5:07 PM on June 13, 2002

What's with the Hillary hate? Was she ever caught doing anything wrong? Where are these immoral dirty pictures or whatever sexual hang-ups the GOP likes to project on her. Its one thing not to like someone's politics but its another to just come up with fabrications.

Newsmax and Dr. Laura? So deserving of each other, its not even funny.
posted by skallas at 5:15 PM on June 13, 2002

I'd love to see her get her ass kicked by anyone. That's the trouble with these people, they're far too gutless to engage in public debate without their fat fingers hovering over the 'Hang Up On Caller' button.

That awful Bill O'Reilly is another example. I just can't watch ... it might be an interesting issue, for which 'conservative' and 'liberal' thinkers actually have something useful to say to each other, but O'Reilly spoils it every time. I just want to grab the guy and shake him and scream "SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO WHAT IS BEING SAID TO YOU!" in his sneering, vulgar, self-righteous, pig-ignorant face!

But debate isn't why he's on TV. He's there to preach to a choir, not to convert anyone who doesn't already nod along to whatever crap he spins. Same goes for the rest of 'em.

Ash.
posted by aeschenkarnos at 5:29 PM on June 13, 2002

we've got a stick of dynamite in one hand and a stick of dynamite in the other.
posted by Satapher at 5:33 PM on June 13, 2002

That's the trouble with these people, they're far too gutless to engage in public debate without their fat fingers hovering over the 'Hang Up On Caller' button.

Written like someone who has never listened to the man you are alluding to once in your life.

That awful Bill O'Reilly is another example. I just can't watch

Then don't. No one's forcing you.
posted by ljromanoff at 5:48 PM on June 13, 2002

Then don't. No one's forcing you.

Hmm. The one freedom we've got left...
posted by Kikkoman at 6:01 PM on June 13, 2002

I'm a Democrat, and I enjoy Bill O'Reilly. He's way more entertaining than a lot of the folks on the left (except Carville, I love Carville).
posted by owillis at 6:02 PM on June 13, 2002

If Dr. Laura ran, I'd have to run...her over. With my truck.
posted by picopebbles at 6:03 PM on June 13, 2002

Written like someone who has never listened to the man you are alluding to once in your life.

Do you have proof of that accusation? If so, let's hear it. If not, then keep it to yourself, please.
posted by rushmc at 6:46 PM on June 13, 2002

Written like someone who has never listened to the man you are alluding to once in your life.

Do you have proof of that accusation? If so, let's hear it. If not, then keep it to yourself, please.

Even better, how about he cite some evidence of the "hovering over the 'hang up on caller' button" attitude he's suggesting?
posted by ljromanoff at 6:48 PM on June 13, 2002

Lets see, if Laura runs for President in 2004 (3rd party?, Bush probably wouldn't touch her), she will draw fringe right wingers, and lots of "my kids mom"s from Bush, paving the way to a Hillary victory.

Dear God. I hope Jesse Ventura runs, he's the only one I could vote for in good conscience.
posted by insomnyuk at 6:49 PM on June 13, 2002

I drive alot, and often listen to Ms. Schlessinger (don't ask me to disgrace the title 'Doctor' by applying it to her) and Mr. Limbaugh just to stay awake. The arrogance, hypocrisy and stupidity that flows from their orifices absolutely amazes me. I'm swearing off citrical and Bosewave radios for the rest of my life. And at least it helps me stay awake.
posted by cheineking at 7:51 PM on June 13, 2002

Even better, how about he cite some evidence of the "hovering over the 'hang up on caller' button" attitude he's suggesting?

Yeah, I didn't think you did. Keep the personal attacks off the site, please, and stick to the issues.
posted by rushmc at 8:16 PM on June 13, 2002

Schlessinger certainly has her flaws, but in a two-woman race between her & Hilary, I'd vote for "Dr" Laura. While I disagree with her basis (religion), her advice & attitude are on-target in many cases. And as for harboring an "illicit" past -- many people do, but it's never too late to make amends and chart a better course.
posted by davidmsc at 8:42 PM on June 13, 2002

Schlessinger certainly has her flaws, but in a two-woman race between her & Hilary
This is the best case for a 'None of the Above' option I have ever heard.
posted by darukaru at 8:51 PM on June 13, 2002

Never before has the phrase "Damned if you do, damned if you don't" rung more true...
posted by esch at 9:34 PM on June 13, 2002

Yeah, I didn't think you did. Keep the personal attacks off the site, please, and stick to the issues.

One unsubstantiated claim deserves another. Bug off rushmc, unless you'd like me to hand my "Mother MetaFilter" trophy to you. Seems like your holier-than-thou attitude deserves it.
posted by BlueTrain at 11:42 PM on June 13, 2002

Schlessinger certainly has her flaws, but in a two-woman race between her & Hilary
This is the best case for a 'None of the Above' option I have ever heard.

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.
posted by nath at 11:51 PM on June 13, 2002

Let's see.....

Laura the Slu% for Prez
Rush the Flush for Vice
ljromanoff as campaign manager
blue train as publicist
Bill Bennett as official moralist in chief

We've got a real train wreck now folks!

Carville for Prez! The transparency we need in politics and in short sentences the right wingnuts can understand too!
posted by nofundy at 6:21 AM on June 14, 2002

Bug off rushmc, unless you'd like me to hand my "Mother MetaFilter" trophy to you.

Useful contribution, BlueTrain. Thanks for playing.

GOODbye. You ARE the weakest link.
posted by rushmc at 6:52 AM on June 14, 2002

Boy, nothing starts the Mefi Two Minutes Hate like talk of Rush Limbaugh, with the possible exception of a mention of Reagan. It's good to see that some of you are well trained.

By the way, I'm still waiting for that evidence of the "hovering over the 'hang up on caller' button" attitude. I suspect I'll be in for a long wait.

And rushmc, you would do well to remember that no one appointed you principal of the line.
posted by ljromanoff at 7:39 AM on June 14, 2002

at one time, i respected lj.
posted by tolkhan at 8:10 AM on June 14, 2002

ljromanoff: you have a pretty narrow definition of evidence. Are you going to demand an affidavit? a deposition? a trial transcript?

Aeschenkarnos said: "That's the trouble with these people, they're far too gutless to engage in public debate without their fat fingers hovering over the 'Hang Up On Caller' button." In fact, both Rush Limbaugh and Laura Schlessinger make statements through media they control: radio, books, interviews with sympathetic press outlets. They screen their callers, can hang up on them, and can continue to comment after the caller is off the line. Not a lot of public debate going on there.
posted by subgenius at 8:20 AM on June 14, 2002

her advice & attitude are on-target in many cases

the same can be said of Hallmark cards, btw, but that doesn't mean they should be on the radio.
posted by tolkhan at 8:26 AM on June 14, 2002

Aeschenkarnos said: "That's the trouble with these people, they're far too gutless to engage in public debate without their fat fingers hovering over the 'Hang Up On Caller' button." In fact, both Rush Limbaugh and Laura Schlessinger make statements through media they control: radio, books, interviews with sympathetic press outlets. They screen their callers, can hang up on them,

"Can hang up on them" is not the same as "hovering over the 'Hang Up On Caller' button" which clearly suggests that Limbaugh is cutting off anyone who disagrees with him and hanging up. You don't have to agree with the guy about anything, but anyone who actually listens to his show knows very well that he neither cuts off those who disagree with him, nor hangs up on them. Anyone who makes that implication, it seems clear to me, is someone who is not even listening to the show they criticize.
posted by ljromanoff at 8:35 AM on June 14, 2002

ljromanoff, give it up. You're not going to convince anyone that screening everyone to make sure that they agree with you is different from hanging up on the caller. Six of one, half dozen of another. Both actions make Rush & Laura look even more insecure, narrow, and threatened by educated people who dare question them. If they were sure about what they were saying and knew they weren't spouting hypocracy and untruths, they might be more willing to engage in debate with those of differing opinions.

The problem people had with you on this thread was your attitude in jumping on someone wihtout provocation. You could have made your point without making it personal. How about you provide what you see as sufficient evidence that Rush and Laura don't "hover over the 'hang up on caller' button."
posted by aacheson at 8:59 AM on June 14, 2002

ljromanoff: Aeschenkarnos's statement, within its context, was that Rush Limbaugh and Laura Schlessinger avoid public debate and control what appears to be discourse on their radio programs. I don't think you refute his point by arguing that one of the two people doesn't control the debate because Rush Limbaugh doesn't hang up one people. If Rush's staff prevent him from having to hang up on people (i.e., by screening out well-spoken liberals, McCain supporters, etc.) he's achieved the same result.
posted by subgenius at 9:24 AM on June 14, 2002

ljromanoff, give it up. You're not going to convince anyone that screening everyone to make sure that they agree with you is different from hanging up on the caller.

It's completely different. And suggesting that Limbaugh screens out everyone who disagrees is another completely unfounded allegation.

The problem people had with you on this thread was your attitude in jumping on someone wihtout provocation.

I didn't jump on anyone. I asked for evidence for a claim. I could have additionally pointed out the cheap shot of name calling (i.e., "fat fingers") but didn't bother.

You could have made your point without making it personal.

Show me where I made it personal.

How about you provide what you see as sufficient evidence that Rush and Laura don't "hover over the 'hang up on caller' button."

One doesn't prove a negative. He made an allegation, I ask for evidence.
posted by ljromanoff at 9:54 AM on June 14, 2002

"...no one but a fool would discount a doctor's warnings about alcoholic poisoning because the doctor himself drank too much." C.S. Lewis
posted by aaronshaf at 10:19 AM on June 14, 2002

I don't know why, but Dr. Laura vs. Hillary made me think of this.
posted by Tin Man at 10:44 AM on June 14, 2002

GOODbye. You ARE the weakest link.

Dork.
posted by BlueTrain at 7:15 PM on June 14, 2002

but anyone who actually listens to his show knows very well that he neither cuts off those who disagree with him, nor hangs up on them. Anyone who makes that implication, it seems clear to me, is someone who is not even listening to the show they criticize

Fans will never accept this as proof that Rush uses the mute button without letting listeners know that the caller cannot respond, but the rest of you might enjoy this transcript of a call from Scoobie Davis.
posted by nikzhowz at 7:44 PM on June 14, 2002

Dork.

Well, that was refreshingly clever.
posted by crunchland at 7:55 PM on June 14, 2002

Well, that was refreshingly clever.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
posted by BlueTrain at 11:04 PM on June 14, 2002

not in this case.
posted by crunchland at 4:09 AM on June 15, 2002