Should Kerry go on Howard Stern's show?

[T Roosevelt]

Or has he already? I note that he was on Imus this morning (I missed it), and I'm thinking Stern would be a better venue. Would Stern have him as a guest?

[xray s]

1. No

[rvgwinn]

6. I agree!...

There is enough demeaning going on with the Office of the Presidency.

[lanparty]

52. No ...

Why would Kerry go on a show preceeded by a stipper and proceeded by a cross-dressing midget?????

It's OK for surrogates to make an appearance (Dean, Gore, Kucinich, etc...). But it should be a PHONE interview, not a live interview.

[sniffa]

2. yes

[Zen Democrat]

3. Absolutely not.

He'd ask him if Theresa shaves, or if he takes Levitra, et al.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

11. Really.

I see no value, unless Howard agrees, in writing, to put him on without the histrionics and on a day without the usual histrionics.

Seeing that it is unlikely that Howard is able to contain his darker urges, I don't think that going on that show is a smart move. Howard is not about to denature his schtick.

A far better move would be to go on with either Al or Sam and Jeanine.

[rocktivity]

12. Stern WANTS Kerry to get elected

Giving Kerry "the treatment" would therefore not be in his best interests. He'd joke with him, sure, but I don't think he'd do anything that Jon Stewart didn't.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Carni]

39. No, he wouldn't

Stern is probably one of the most informed people in media when it comes to the bush reich.

I would pit him against any media cable mouthpieces or pundits any day, he'd mop the floor with them.

Stern may act like a clown but he is not stupid.

[Killarney]

4. I don't think he should.

And Stern has said he shouldn't do it, hasn't he?

[Meshuga]

5. After he is elected. Sure.

Why not?

[meegbear]

7. I thnk he should ...

The way Howard respects him and wants him to be president, I'm sure he's not gonna ask him Howard's more "traditional" line of questioning.

Also, one of the keys things about Clinton going on Arsenio Hall was to show he was a "reachable" person, not confining himself to news organizations for interviews.

And, of course, if Kerry did go on, the pressure would be on for * to go on. Now THAT would be fun.

[babylonsister]

18. No, no, no

Our future prez is a class act, and Stern is not. Shrub would only make fun of him.

[meegbear]

21. The people who don't like Stern are ...

(generally) the same people who screamed about the "moral outrage" of Janet. And they're not voting for Kerry.

Stern's got 8 million listeners. That's a nice chuck of a voting block, if you can get 'em out to vote.

[Carni]

41. Yes and they are primarily Independents

These area the people we NEED to reach!

[babylonsister]

42. Stern supports Kerry

That's enough; he'll get the word out. Hopefully Kerry has bigger, dare I say more intelligent, fish to fry?

[lanparty]

54. Yeah but ...

... those people aren't going to vote for Kerry anyway.

I don't think Stern's core demographic are Democrats. I think they're reactionary youth types, the type that will embrace war outright without much thought.

Democrats listen to Morning Edition, not Howard Stern.

That reminds me. I have to catch a Bob & Tom stream and see which way they're leaning now. They're reactionary goofballs (funny but tiresome if you don't take a couple months break from them) that probably have an older demographic then stern. Their sex jokes are buried a little better in language.

I remember they were very anti-Clinton. But most reactionaries are against whoever is in a position of authority at the time. It's just the nature of the beast. It's also why there is such a low voter turnout among that demographic. They are iconoclasts at heart. Voting would somehow "legitamize" the system that they love to flog.

[TNMOM]

27. If "class act" were critical to winning office, why the hell

does the Bush cabal stay in strong in the polls with their affiliations to such non-class acts as redneck Limbaugh and the Swifties? The jokes on Limbaugh may not be crude in a sexual sense, but let's just say they are far from polite/civility. He has said some very awful things that are below the belt about Chelsea and Mrs. Clinton. And Cheney and other Bush surrogates go on the show all the friggin time.

Being a "class act" is Kerry's weakness. He needs to talk the language the everyman is speaking. Going on Howard Stern will deliver him in a package that appeals to a crital group of voters. I say yes!!

[Cha]

46. I think Kerry would be fine on Stern's show!

I heard Michael Moore on Stern's show and it was class all the way.

[ClintonTyree]

8. No

That would be be viewed as a huge negative by a majority of Americans.

[TNMOM]

29. I don't think so -- Stern wouldn't be so popular if that was true.

eom

[SHRED]

9. No

That would just give more ammo to the righties.

He should go on more shows yes but Stern no.
I appreciate Howard's commitment to ousting Shrub but he is too identified with his poo poo pee pee humor.
I'd like to hear Kerry on:
http://www.bigeddieradio.com/

[Shopaholic]

13. Fuck the right

we're not after their votes. Howard has a huge audience of male 20 to 40 somethings and after all the pounding Stern's been doing against *, I think it would be great if Kerry could go on and show them some reasons to vote for him instead of against B/C.

[vi5]

10. No. Kerry needs to be more loose and casual but not that much..

It would be one thing if Stern were putting pressure for him to be on. But he's not and Stern is smart enough to both recognize the reason why that is, and to not push the subject.

As of now we have Stern preaching to his audience and pushing for Kerry but Kerry gets to stay above the fray and not get hammered for appearing in a more risque venue.

If he were to appear on Stern it would be in the media for weeks. Look at how many people even on the liberal side dislike Stern.

[Ruffhowse]

14. No, the Repugs would have a field day with this.

[terrya]

15. Emphatically NO.

Just the wrong venue for Kerry. I'm glad Stern is on our side, but we all know what Stern's show is like. Kerry would get some serious negative press over appearing on Howard Stern's show.

[Democat]

16. Yes, without a doubt!

Kerry can't be too careful - he needs to take some risks if he is going to pull back into the lead in this race.

It has been posted here before that both Rudy and Arnold have gone on the Howard Stern show. When two of the heroes of the right, both of whom have campaigned for Bush, have gone on the show, how can it possibly hurt Kerry?

Howard is doing a lot to help Kerry and Kerry needs to show he isn't afraid. Kerry cannot let the right wing scare him so much anymore if he wants to win!

[noonwitch]

17. No, but Edwards could

That way, Howard and his fans wouldn't get dissed. Kerry has enough problems right now without that. Edwards is a likeable enough guy that he can pull it off, without getting distracted by Howard's inevitable sex questions (he can laugh them off)and without offending the more conservative democrats.

If Kerry could get Howard to make a promise to stick to the issues at hand, then he should go on. But otherwise, send Edwards, he can handle it better.

[LTR]

31. Perhaps Edwards should test the waters

If it's safe, Kerry should follow.

[Carni]

50. That's funny because I don't think Edwards would play well on Stern

I think Kerry would handle himself with ease in that forum but I don't see Edwards doing the same thing (not sure why maybe it's the accent?)

You know... actually, I listened to Kerry on Mitch Albom like the day after the Janet Jackson/boob thing happened (and granted Mitch Albom is no Howard Stern) but Albom pinned down Kerry on what he thought of the superbowl "incident" and Kerry played it off and got a few laughs in the process.

Kerry's comments were something to the effect of they all looked at each other and said "hmmm did we just see what we thought we saw" and then they laughed. He went on to say that he could understand that some people might be upset, because the superbowl was sort of a family event, but went on to state that there were far more serious issues in the country to talk about and that basically the whole boob debate was a waste of time!

I actually liked Kerry better after hearing that interview he just came off as a regular person and not a Senatorial type!

[MsTryska]

56. i totally agree.

Edwards is genteel southern charm.

[vetwife]

19. No...He should not. Just ad fuel to the flame of the Hell Fire

[Bernardo de La Paz]

20. No. Not presidential.

[DoYouEverWonder]

22. NO thank you

Kerry doesn't need to do Stern's show and would more likely turn off a lot of his women supporters.

Kerry should do Stewart, Leno, Letterman and even Oprah, but not Howard Stern.

[Carni]

53. I know A LOT of women who listen to Stern

You'd be surprised!

My 67 year old very straight laced mother occasionally listens to Stern in the car (when she announced this a couple years ago I about died!)

Most of them just won't admit to listening to him!

[lanparty]

57. Oprah ... DEFINITELY ...

And while there, he needs to ASK Oprah why she hasn't run for office.

I think she could boot Dick Lugar from office in her residential Indiana. She would garner all the traditional Democratic voters. PLUS, most of the women would vote for her.

[IdaBriggs]

23. Other folks from the campaign, but not Kerry.

At least right now. I'm liking the Edwards idea, but we also have other young bucks who could use the face time. Our folks can make the "no inappropriate humor" and stick with the "I'm not going to talk about it" stuff. I don't listen to Howard, but I appreciate his support; his concerns are legitimate (I've got some of the same ones), and Kerry is going to be HIS president, too. Let's give the guy some respect, please. Send a surrogate -- and after the election (before inauguration maybe?) let Kerry do an interview then (with no potty humor). Kerry can handle himself in ANY situation; its one of the reasons I like him. :)

[terrya]

24. I agree with you. Tad Devine, for instance. But NOT Kerry. eom

[geek tragedy]

25. Send Howard Dean.

Can you imagine Dean and Stern engaging in a Bush-bash? Pure gold.

[T Roosevelt]

34. That would be SWEET!!!

[henslee]

44. Good lord. That would be sweet.

[TNMOM]

26. Yes. It reaches a crucial white male population

There was a time when appearing on a late night talk show was not "presidential" -- then Clinton went on the Arsenio Hall show, and now it's standard practice.

C'mon people. We have to broaden our base. And this will improve Kerry's "everyman" image - something that Bush has an edge on.

[MsTryska]

28. Kerry Should be everywhere all the time up until election day

so yes!


besides the demographic that watches stern, at least imo, has always been the same demographic that thinks the Fascist News Channel really is fair and balanced.


Stern can keep it respectful, but get him joking and clowning, and maybe more of the people who choose presidents based on whether they'd be a good drinking buddy would choose Kerry. We want him to be the populist, hang loose, down with the common man guy. Stern, as much as i detest his show, is exactly the guy to do that.

[LTR]

30. Stern has invited him on the show

But said that if it will hurt Kerry's chances, he'll understand if Kerry skips it.

I'm sure Stern knows what's going on. And I'm sure Stern won't go Stern on Kerry (sorry, no 'banging Morgan Fairchild' questions). He is desperate to get Kerry elected.

I have said many times that Kerry should go on talk shows. Letterman and Leno are gimmes. He went on Tom Joyner last week - very smart move! He HAS to go on Oprah.

Stern has been a kingmaker to quite a few politicians, including Al D'Amato, Christie Whitman, Rudy Giuliani, George Pataki and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Guess what? They're Republicans!

I think he should go on Stern. Think of the publicity he'll get just from just being on. And the people who will be offended by Kerry on Stern's show are most likely not even in his camp.

He should wait until his campaign regains its momentum, so it doesn't smack of desperation.

[tjdee]

32. Howard Stern has 8 MILLION listeners, mostly white males.

And me, who's a black woman, when I get the chance.

Howard has actually talked about this, and he understands why Kerry can't acknowledge his support/come on the show.

Which is a shame, because Stern's got a lot of listeners and has really been pulling hard for Kerry.

[seabeyond]

33. betcha pretty much just guys saying go on his show

what a male doesnt get is how offensive that show is to most all women since the sole intent of the show is to degrade women. and that doesnt much matter if the woman is right fanatic christian coalition or not. it also doesnt matter if it is an old woman or a 6 year old daughter, the intent of ugliness to female in general hits us all

i like stern in the essence of who he is. he is a smart man. a passionate man. i can respect that in him. i also understand his demographics as far as the vote and his value in what he is doing for voting democrat

i can see stern doing an interview outside his studio. taping it. and then bringing it to his show in the morning. but he approach kerry as a journalist doing an interview, outside his created disgusting image he give to the world. i would like to see howard interact and chat with kerry. i think it would be way interesting

but i dont see kerry doing it. though i wouldnt mind him doing. i can see them getting around the association of the show

[tjdee]

36. I never understand this.

I'm not going to go on Howard Stern and have my butt slapped by a fish (I think that was last month, LOL)--so how does that show degrade me?

If we're saying that Stern's audience is too stupid to understand the difference between the show and real life, okay then. If that's what we're saying.

[Carni]

62. The people that go on Stern are just bizarre - period

Pornographic, or otherwise...I always find myself wondering where in the hell do they find these people?

I don't really find it all that degrading to women (and I am one) because like you just mentioned there is no way in hell I personally would go on the air and do what some of his whacked out guests do.

I guess I just kind of view it as a X rated Seinfeld with real life characters!

I think it really depends on your sense of humor (and mine apparently is a sick one!)

[sonicx]

71. Michael Moore is bazarre? nt

[MsTryska]

48. I'm female, and i support the idea.

i don't listen to Stern's show because i find it disgusting, but coming form New York, I know the demographic (both male and female) that adore his show.

And they are pretty much working-class stiffs. exactly the same people who DON'T noeed to be pro-bush. give them the option to hear Kerry out - because these aren't the folks watching cspan.

[johnnie]

35. I don't really know but..

...I can see that some of you don't listen to Stern all that often. To be honest, I only started to listen again recently when he goes in to political rants. I used to listen a lot more often and I have heard Stern be very respectable to certain people. If Kerry goes on the show, I don't think Stern will start his BS with him.
His shtick is just that... a shtick. When he is serious about something, he remains serious.
As a side-note, he has set up a way to register to vote on his website. He did say though, if you are registering to vote for bush, don't register on his site.

[tjdee]

37. Yupperooni.

Stern does actually go beyond strippers and butt slapping.

[Carni]

38. Yes, he should

Stern hates bush and would never screw Kerry on air.

Kerry doesn't need to endorse Stern's guests,or some of his more flamboyant commentary - he'd be a guest talking about his platform for running the country.

[sonicx]

40. He should be able to. Why can bush go on Rush...

a guy 10X more crude and rude, but Kerry can't go on stern?

[henslee]

43. ABSOLUTELY NOT. Why preach to choir? Will only alienate fence-sitters.

I love Stern but 24 percent of the time you tune in, he's bribing some girl to show him her boobs. 10 perecnt commercials. And the rest is pretty hysterical and topical.

[Carni]

63. But that is the thing...

The bulk of Stern's audience are the fence sitters!

It's comprised mostly of those 25 to 30 something males that the Dem party can't seem to capture!

[henslee]

69. Any listener immune to Stern's day in-day out *-slamming is already a lost

cause. I am no prude myself but even I find the bukaki references a bit too much.

[Richardson08]

45. George Pataki and Christine Todd Whitman

went on the Howard Stern show when they were running for governor of New York and New Jersey respectively.It did not hurt them to appear on the Stern show

[Bush was AWOL]

47. Yes. Stern wants Bush out more than just about anyone

he'd softball Kerry and allow him to reach out to an audience that wouldn't normally vote. Stern has like 10 million listeners. I think I saw something that like half of them don't vote. Let him have Kerry on and softball him, while he bashes Bush at the same time. If he is going to do an interview, Stern would be perfect.

[On the Road]

49. Yes, Absolutely

it can only help. Stern appearance didn't hurt Christie Todd Whitman, Alfonse d'Amato, or any other candidate.

[Mr Blond]

51. ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!

I like Stern, I am entertained by Stern I "Get" Stern. But Stern is a PIG! And Senator Kerry does NOT need to associate himself with a pig. Nothing good can come from doing so.

[molly]

55. AMEN!!!

Welcome to DU!! :hi:

[Carni]

67. AH BUT Remember Clinton and Bono in 1992?

I just thought of this...when Clinton campaigned the first time he sought out Bono of U2 and hooked onto the U2 tour's coat tails.

In fact Clinton called in to a radio show U2 were being interviewed on and he expressed how thrilled he was to talk to them.
Clinton did things like that on numerous occasions.

Bono at that time was doing things like stripping off all his clothes in European restaurants and drinking vodka by the fifth out in public (it was not something that should have played well with voters)

George HW Bush was so incensed by the phone calls to the WH at the end of all the U2 shows that he made a comment to the effect of "Clinton may have Boy George as a consultant but I'll stick with advisers who don't belong in a side show" (not an exact quote)

To get to the point... when H.W started in on Clinton's side show supporters it only incensed the whole "MTV" generation of the time.

I still say Kerry should take the chance...Arnuuulld is the biggest pig around and his groping certainly didn't keep him out of office!

[molly]

70. Ah - Yes, but Bono

was not a sexist pig.

[Carni]

73. Actually he is kind of a sexist pig

All rock stars are sexist pigs--you didn't see him touring with his wife and four kids did you?

He was too busy partying with assorted supermodels.

[Fleshdancer]

58. No, but I have no problem with Edwards going on the Stern show

If Cheney can go on the Oxyrush show, then Edwards can go on the Stern show.

[sonicx]

60. um....BUSH went on rush too!!

what makes rush more legitamate than stern?

[Fleshdancer]

65. He did? I didn't know that....

well if Bush went on Rush then I see no problem with Kerry going on the Stern show after all.

[sonicx]

66. yup, i agree. why does kerry have to be 'careful' about his apperances

when bush can go on a show whose host is nastier and slimier than anyone?

[rndmprsn]

59. Nows not the time...

i'm mostly pragmatic about this...if in a couple weeks he behind then it might be time to think about it.

it would be a really big audience for kerry and the age group/demographic he wants to hit, but...so the argument goes he might alienate some voters and the right, i'm not sure too many will vote for him anyhow so...you do the math.

[liberal N proud]

61. Why not?

He should go no any show that invites him!
Ophra
Orealy
CrossFire
Tonight (done)
Daily Show (done)
Nightline
Larry King
If they invite we will ignite!

[digno dave]

64. nonononononnoononononononononono!!!!!!!!

[TheDonkey]

68. Edwards should go, and of course it Stern

would have to curtail the topless ladies during that segment. But I think that would be good outreach. If shrub can go on the druggies show and callhim a good friend, even Kerry shouold entertain the idea of going on stern.

[Democat]

72. I am amazed at the number of people in this thread saying "no"

:(