Comments on: Next up: I'm a Senator and I can't keep my clothes on!

Next up: I'm a Senator and I can't keep my clothes on!

mathowie — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 10:56:56 -0800

The popular radio show, This American Life, has an upcoming series devoted to Jerry Springer's previous life in politics. Along with the radio piece, an entire website has been launched to try and convince Springer to re-enter politics and "revitalize the Democratic Party." Is Springer the new Arnold of the left?

By: Postroad

Postroad — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 11:05:52 -0800

Jerry is a Democrat and it would be a great thing for the Nation if he were to run against the current occupant!

By: quonsar

quonsar — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 11:08:25 -0800

good lord! have you seen his show???? trailer trash city??? stupid morons flashing their stretched out cow-like udders and pummelling one another while springer looks on with a smile??? come to think of it, maybe he *should* run...

By: five fresh fish

five fresh fish — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 11:09:20 -0800

Good god. What a horrible idea.

By: mecran01

mecran01 — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 11:26:35 -0800

I think the html in the original post did something screwy.

By: wendell

wendell — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 11:26:39 -0800

altogether now: Haughey! Haughey! Haughey! Haughey! and I was just getting used to picturing him as Fearless Leader on the Bullwinke Show

By: wendell

wendell — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 11:35:47 -0800

Back on topic, I think the shunning of Springer by the Democratic Party establishment is the best evidence yet that the Republicans don't have a monopoly on morality.

By: skechada

skechada — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 11:46:52 -0800

Springer can do nothing good for the Democrats. I'm actually surprised he doesn't have a show on Fox News. Maybe a 'Hannity and Springer' isn't too far off in the future??

By: stupidsexyFlanders

stupidsexyFlanders — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 11:51:55 -0800

Maybe a 'Hannity and Springer' isn't too far off in the future?? The mighty Alan Colmes would never allow it!

By: rusty

rusty — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 12:05:07 -0800

skechada: Springer can do nothing good for the Democrats. Why do you think so?

By: callmejay

callmejay — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 12:09:47 -0800

Springer would reinforce all of the negative (to them at least) stereotypes right-wingers have about Democrats: immoral, irreligious, anti-white, elitist, etc.

By: gyc

gyc — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 12:12:55 -0800

elitist Wait... you've seen his show, right?

By: mr_crash_davis

mr_crash_davis — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 12:19:52 -0800

"...stupid morons flashing their stretched out cow-like udders..." Sounds good to me, where do I sign up?

By: callmejay

callmejay — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 12:20:34 -0800

gyc: elitist in that his show makes fun of the dumb hicks.

By: lerrup

lerrup — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 12:33:07 -0800

Its posts like this that remind me just how, well, unusual American politics is, if: 1. Jerry Springer is called left-wing 2. Someone is suggesting he could run for the top office in the country. 3. He might actually win.

By: nofundy

nofundy — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 12:35:47 -0800

My comment is about the show "This American Life." Ira Glass is a genuis. The radio show is simply wonderful. Beautiful. Simple. Direct. He should win many awards.

By: me3dia

me3dia — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 12:37:30 -0800

Just to clarify a little, the JerryforOhio site was not created by or because of This American Life, but rather by a political campaign. As posted on MeFi, Springer suggested last year that he might get back into politics.

By: Fupped Duck

Fupped Duck — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 12:38:28 -0800

I can see Springer pulling this as a publicity stunt and everything he says and does is always a publicity grab. I can't fathom what Ira Glass is hoping to accomplish tho. Springers got no cred to lose, while Glass is at the top of his game. Even Geraldo was nowhere near Springer's nadir of credibility. I just can't see anyone with a brain ever believing there's one iota of altruism in anything he does.

By: substrate

substrate — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 12:38:36 -0800

Is Schwarzanegger even really good for the Republican party? Sure, he walked away with the California recall vote but I don't see him as a Republican poster child. He might be fiscally conservative but socially he seems more liberal (at least here from 2500 miles away). Contrast this to President Bush, fiscally he's reckless but socially he's very conservative. The people I'm surrounded with are more than willing to ignore his fiscal irresponsibility as long as he heaps on more of that conservative stance towards social issues. Now contrast Schwarzanegger to Springer. Springer actually does have a political background but he's spent a decade providing the television that my conservative co-workers are quick to condemn but seem to love to watch. I don't know whether there are any real skeletons in his past but if there are they'll quickly surface and it'll be played up like Larry Flynt's run for Governor. Jerry Springer will be seen as the ring leader of a three ring circus. Schwarzanegger has lots of skeletons in his closet but they're mostly ignored. A very wide variety of the general public has watched his movies, admires his rise from a starving bodybuilder and tends to blur his movie characters with the actual Arnold Schwarzanegger. The conduct of his movie characters counted for more than his actual conduct in real life.

By: me3dia

me3dia — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 12:41:12 -0800

Actually, the primary link in the previous post I linked to now forwards to the JerryforOhio site. So this is a partial, unintentional doublepost. Doh!

By: The God Complex

The God Complex — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 12:42:28 -0800

(link)"In 2004, electability has become the issue and John Kerry has benefited by developing a sharper message, by his veteran status, and -- this is particularly significant -- New Hampshire Democrats tell us that he looks like a president." [emphasis mine]. It's clear, and has been for awhile, that the majority don't actually care about issues, only catchy framing and a solid look. So if Springer has a slogan, some nice suits, and renounces his evil pagan ways he's probably got a shot. It seems America is the only country in the world that really cares about the look, that look that sets a man apart from his counterparts. Pierre Trudeau certainly didn't look presidential (or prime ministerial) pulling up to the parliament building in his convertible, wearing sandles, but he certainly did more for my country than perhaps any before him or since.

By: john

john — Tue, 27 Jan 2004 17:12:13 -0800

Ah, just when Carol Marin is thinking about coming back to NBC Chicago after quiting over their short-lived hiring of Jerry.

By: frallyth

frallyth — Wed, 28 Jan 2004 07:54:38 -0800

It's very easy to see Mr. Springer being a force in Ohio politics again, he's got a lot of political experience there, solid qualifications... and a lot of baggage too: - Mayor of Cincinnati, 1977-78 - Candidate in primary for Governor of Ohio, 1982 - Six years on Cincinnati City Council - Worked on Bobby Kennedy's Presidental Campaign - Has seven emmys (none for his current show) - On the board of a few children and AIDS related charities - Law degree from Northwestern If you doubt the guy's got legitimate supporters, it's worth noting that he resigned that City Council position in 1974 after a scandal (admitting he paid a prostitute with a personal check), then won it back the next year and STILL went on to be mayor. But fear not... Mr. Springer was born in Europe to non-U.S. citizens, so according to the constitution he's not eligible to be President. There, don't you feel better now?

By: Rebis

Rebis — Wed, 28 Jan 2004 09:09:49 -0800

Maybe the Constitution can be amended to allow non-"native-born" citizens to be President; then we can have Jerry vs Arnold in 2008...

By: five fresh fish

five fresh fish — Wed, 28 Jan 2004 10:16:43 -0800

Springer, Shwartznegar [sp!], Reagan, Bono, Eastwood -- the American population is addicted to entertainment to the point that they want their government to be a Hollywood production.

By: john

john — Wed, 28 Jan 2004 11:04:48 -0800

frallyth, you forget one thing. He sings country.