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Tucker Carlson on Clinton: "[W]hen she comes on television, I involuntarily cross my legs"

July 18, 2007 5:06 pm ET

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On the July 16 edition of MSNBC's Tucker, discussing presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), producer Willie Geist described a Clinton doll being advertised at the website HillaryNutcracker.com that features "serrated stainless steel thighs that, well, crack nuts," according to Geist. He introduced the story by saying, "I think the metaphor in this next story, Tucker, is pretty clear. So I will just report the straight facts." He later asked, "What do you think they're saying about Hillary?" Host Tucker Carlson replied, "I have often said, when she comes on television, I involuntarily cross my legs."

Carlson made a similar comment on the July 9 edition of Tucker in a conversation with MSNBC political analyst Pat Buchanan, during which Carlson said of Clinton, "She scares me. I cross my legs every time she talks." Later in the July 9 program, Geist asked Carlson, "Tucker, do you really cross your legs when Hillary Clinton talks?" Carlson replied, "Every time, involuntarily. It is like those pictures you see of the soccer goalie when they're about to get the free kick. That's me when she talks. I can't help it."

Carlson apparently first talked about "cross[ing] my legs involuntarily" during a conversation about CNN host Nancy Grace on the August 23, 2006, edition of Tucker, in which nationally syndicated radio host Neal Boortz said of Grace, "She is a Southern belle, she is a total sweetheart, an incredibly effective prosecutor, and very sharp. And Tucker, if they ever catch you, you don't want her prosecuting you because you're going down." To which Carlson replied, "I don't want to be on a long car trip with her. She scares me. I cross my legs involuntarily every time she comes on the air."

From the July 16 edition of MSNBC's Tucker:

GEIST: Well, I think the metaphor in this next story, Tucker, is pretty clear. So I will just report the straight facts. The newest collector's item on the presidential campaign trail is a Hillary Clinton nutcracker. They're going like hot cakes in Rochester, Minnesota, where the idea for the nutcracker was hatched.

It's a Hillary doll with serrated stainless steel thighs that, well, crack nuts. If you can't make to it Minnesota to pick one up, you can go to HillaryNutcracker.com and that could be yours for the low, low price of $19.95. They'll also throw in a bag of Hillary nuts for five bucks. Now, I don't know what they're getting at here, Tucker. What do you think they're saying about Hillary?

CARLSON: I don't know, but that is so perfect. I have often said, when she comes on television, I involuntarily cross my legs.

GEIST: I know you do.

CARLSON: I'm getting one, by the way.

From the July 9 edition of Tucker:

CARLSON: Pat, I would say, among conservatives, you're friendlier to Hillary than almost any.

BUCHANAN: Well, I think she has run a fine campaign. I mean, just watching her. I was very hostile to her in early 1990s. You know, the headband and all that stuff, but I think she's run a good campaign. I think she won both debates. I think she outshone [Sen.] Barack Obama [D-IL]. I think she took charge in sort of knocking down the question. Don't give us these silly questions. I think she's done a great job.

I think she still does bump her head, but I think she can be president of the United States.

CARLSON: Boy, she scares me. I cross my legs every time she talks, every time. Pat Buchanan, Melinda Henneberger, thank you very much. No, it's true. It's involuntary. I don't mean it, but I do every single time.

[...]

GEIST: Tucker, do you really cross your legs when Hillary Clinton talks?

CARLSON: Oh, every time, involuntarily. It's like those pictures you see of the soccer goalie when they're about to get the free kick. That's me when she talks. I can't help it.

GEIST: I know, she is actually kind of scary, I have to admit. I actually do it when Bill Clinton talks. I don't know what that means, but I always feel violated.

CARLSON: I don't think he's interested in you, Willie.

From the August 23, 2006, edition of Tucker:

BOORTZ: But, oh, by the way, Tucker, I practiced law in Atlanta with Nancy Grace and I love her. She's great, she's great. Now --

CARLSON: So, wait, wait, slow down. You've actually met and spent time with Nancy Grace in a normal environment? Does she snarl? The nostril thing, the eye popping -- what's that about?

BOORTZ: She is a Southern belle, she is a total sweetheart, an incredibly effective prosecutor, and very sharp. And Tucker, if they ever catch you, you don't want her prosecuting you because you're going down.

CARLSON: I don't want to be on a long car trip with her. She scares me. I cross my legs involuntarily every time she comes on the air.

Expand All Expand 1st Level Collapse All Add Comment
    • Author by therick (July 18, 2007 5:50 pm ET)
         

      Gee, Tucker.  We thought you DIDN'T like her!

      Report Abuse
      • Author by AshenShard (July 18, 2007 6:15 pm ET)
           

        I thought it should have been easier for him to hide something like that.

        Report Abuse
      • Author by skye12 (July 19, 2007 7:56 am ET)
           

        He's going to cross his legs?? LOL. Is there *anyone* left on the planet who doesn't think Tucker Carlson is gay?

        Report Abuse
        • Author by wzwriter (July 19, 2007 8:53 am ET)
             

          Yes.  The people who know for a fact that he's gay.

          Like 98% of the planet.

          Report Abuse
    • Author by neondesert (July 18, 2007 5:51 pm ET)
         

      So Tucker's scared by women who talk, eh?

      Why is this here?

      Report Abuse
      • Author by BarryGoldwaterConservative (July 18, 2007 5:55 pm ET)
           

        lol Neon Bravo!

        Report Abuse
      • Author by pete592 (July 18, 2007 6:19 pm ET)
           

        Agh!

        Darn you!

        Stealing the thunder from the Tommynator!

        Just when I was trying to unleash him (see below). 

        Report Abuse
      • Author by vysotsky (July 18, 2007 6:52 pm ET)
           

        Exactly -- where's the misinformation?  MMFA has gone too far this time. 

        I for one staunchly defend Carlson's freedom to speak out on this important issue and to portray himself as a painfully insecure seven year-old boy trapped in a man's body.  Back off, MMFA!

        Report Abuse
        • Author by wzwriter (July 19, 2007 3:09 pm ET)
             

          That's an insult to seven-year-old boys everywhere.  You owe them all an apology for comparing them to Bow Tie Boy.

          :-)

          Report Abuse
          • Author by vysotsky (July 19, 2007 8:36 pm ET)
               

            You and your allies in the radical far left are always distorting what I say!  I NEVER compared Carlson to all seven year old boys. I compared Carlson to seven year old boys who are painfully insecure.

            I await your apology. 

            Report Abuse
    • Author by tommy (July 18, 2007 5:55 pm ET)
         

      Now we have misinformation about a Hillary nutcracker with steel thighs, and a bag of nuts too?

      We have now reached the saturation point in political campaign coverage on these 24/7 news cable channels.

      What's next?  A John Edwards red wagon bumperstickered with "Down with Poverty, Up with Taxes"

      Report Abuse
      • Author by pete592 (July 18, 2007 6:17 pm ET)
           

        So....

        Don't disappoint us...

        You know you want to...

        Stick the needle in already... 

        Inject those four magical words that just AREN'T THE SAME UNLESS YOUR NAME APPEARS BELOW THEM!!!!

        Report Abuse
        • Author by tommy (July 18, 2007 6:19 pm ET)
             

          Four magical words?  Hmm? Oh, you mean.....

          Liberals have no clue.

          Report Abuse
          • Author by pete592 (July 18, 2007 6:22 pm ET)
               

            OMG!!!!  LMFAO!!!!!

            You on fire!!!!!!!!!! 

            Report Abuse
          • Author by mefirst (July 18, 2007 7:00 pm ET)
               

            i thought it was:

            i dislike bush, but...

            Report Abuse
          • Author by bittermarv (July 18, 2007 7:44 pm ET)
               

            On the other hand, I commend MMFA for not allowing such gutter trash talking cuss words to infect their website the way DailyKos does, either from their supporters or their critics.

            - tommy / Wednesday July 18, 2007 04:50:55 PM EST

            Report Abuse
          • Author by solon (July 18, 2007 9:48 pm ET)
               

            The judges have ruled the CORRECT answer is conservatives are abject morons. Feel free to try again next time, and what do we have for our contestant? Four fact free days and four nights vacationing on Planet Wingnut where reality is unable to penetrate the atmosphere. Just what every brainwashed rightwinger longs for.

            Report Abuse
            • Author by tommy (July 19, 2007 11:07 am ET)
                 

              This just in - BitterMarv and Solon are completely humorless. 

              To the clueless, it was a joke!!  For cryin' out loud, chill..........as if...

              Report Abuse
              • Author by bittermarv (July 19, 2007 3:09 pm ET)
                   

                Now you're being sarcastic ;^}  ...

                - bingvangorden / Tuesday July 17, 2007 05:32:04 PM EST

                 Oh get over it.  I was not being sarcastic. -  tommy  / Tuesday July 17, 2007 05:42:15 PM EST

                Report Abuse
      • Author by leatherhelmet (July 18, 2007 6:20 pm ET)
           

        http://hillarynutcracker.com/

        Report Abuse
        • Author by tommy (July 18, 2007 6:26 pm ET)
             

          You can get a bag of Hillary nuts for $5, a bag of Bill's can be grinded out for a buck and a half......and Hillary will come to your house personally and crack them.

          Report Abuse
        • Author by HuntingtonBeachLefty (July 19, 2007 1:32 am ET)
             

          For anybody who didn't visit the nutcracker site, it's about the most screaming announcement of insecurity and masculine shortcomings short of 2 pit bulls in a lifted 4x4 truck with a "No Fear" sticker on the window.

          Report Abuse
          • Author by lapsedlawyer (July 19, 2007 5:10 am ET)
               

            You forgot the gun rack and the confederate battle flag there, HBL

            Report Abuse
          • Author by worrierking (July 19, 2007 8:44 am ET)
               

            This is just my observation, but in NJ when I see one of those raised trucks pull up, with the no fear stickers and the pit bulls, I always wait to see the driver when he steps down from the truck.

            9 times out of 10, he's this really short dude and you can tell by looking at him that fear is something he's never had to face.

            But I have to confess, I have a pit bull. He's 75 lbs. of love and sweetness. We adopted him from a group that rescues fighting dogs. He was starved, beaten and left for dead as a puppy because he wouldn't fight other dogs.

            Report Abuse
            • Author by monknj80 (July 19, 2007 9:00 am ET)
                 

              "This is just my observation, but in NJ when I see one of those raised trucks pull up, with the no fear stickers and the pit bulls, I always wait to see the driver when he steps down from the truck.

              9 times out of 10, he's this really short dude and you can tell looking at him that fear is something he's never had to face."

               

              You must live in the same area in Jersey I do (Cherry Hill). We call it Little mans complex  down here. I've had one of those guys try to play tough guy with me on the road and we actually ended up in the same parking lot. Let's just say I got the impression that the trucker didn't realize I was a 6'3", 250lb, black dude who has no tolerance for d----bags. You could see it on his face that he wanted to have a few cross words with me, he just couldn't live up to the "No Fear" slogan on his raised H2. Go Figure.

              Report Abuse
              • Author by HuntingtonBeachLefty (July 19, 2007 10:02 am ET)
                   

                Har! No broad slam on Pit Bull owners, Worrierking. Like people I know personally, you sound like you rescued one from somebody else who figured out that the dog didn't compensate for enough.

                And the little guys in the big trucks are in Southern California just as strong. The best part is that it's a well worn joke with most of the women I know that vehicle size is directly in reverse proportion to the size of other units. ;0)

                Report Abuse
                • Author by worrierking (July 19, 2007 11:34 am ET)
                     

                  I drive a little clown car that I bought from Barnum & Bailey. So the inverse to that theory is not true. My car and my equipment are small.

                  After all, I am Irish.

                  Report Abuse
      • Author by bittermarv (July 18, 2007 7:15 pm ET)
           

        You get that it's about attacking a candidate purely for her gender, which in this day and age shouldn't even be an issue.  It appears to be one for regressives, though.

        Report Abuse
    • Author by Pithaughn (July 18, 2007 5:57 pm ET)
         

      Time to fire your joke writers Tuckpad, it's getting fairly repetitious. Oh, I almost forgot, that is your only skill, repeat the same stuff Karl faxes over from Cheney's boys only clubhouse, repeat it over and over and over....

      Report Abuse
      • Author by HuntingtonBeachLefty (July 18, 2007 6:02 pm ET)
           

        I get the feeling that Tucker and Geist cross their legs and start protecting their goodies anytime they even think about women.

         

        Report Abuse
      • Author by vysotsky (July 18, 2007 7:09 pm ET)
           

        I actually assume that Tucker's writers and production staff spend all day playing practical jokes on this poor tool.

        "Hey, T.C., I've got a KILLER idea!  We've got some video of a Hillary Nutcracker someone is selling.  During the segment, why don't you work in how your masculinity is threatened by Hillary a couple of times during the segment?  Seriously -- you'll look like such a stud. Chicks think that kinda stuff is hot.  Am I right?  And guys will totally relate. Bank on it.  And keep calling Obama a wuss, because if there's anything Americans love, it's when you show that you're man enough to admit that every candidate's masculinity is always the first thing on your mind.  And maybe think about going back to the bow ties.  Now go out there and get 'em, Tuck!"

        Report Abuse
    • Author by Pithaughn (July 18, 2007 6:01 pm ET)
         

      I have to add, kudos to the MMFA staffer who dredges up the flattering pictures, no bias there. Maybe it's best not to play into the oppostions hand by picking the most unflattering pictures available. Please, at least pick an average one, you don't have to use the official bio, airbrushed, no zits or warts, or moles, or open festering sores; unless of course that is all that is available.

      Report Abuse
      • Author by Mike Mid-City (July 18, 2007 8:03 pm ET)
           

        I like it. Your have to work the video tape to find just the right facial expression that shows the true character of the subject. Two tips of the Hat to MMFA!

        Report Abuse
    • Author by MickD (July 18, 2007 6:10 pm ET)
         

      I wonder if Daddy Bill Geist (CBS "funny" features guy) is aware of his son's fear of the Clintons? Or is it as the tree bends so grows the twig?

      Report Abuse
    • Author by jfrivera9336 (July 18, 2007 6:14 pm ET)
         

      Tucker has not much at all to protect. His wife must have gotten there already. Better to go the Pampers, Huggies route, since he's talking trash of a very immature toddler.  It's pee fright. He's not onto something, he sounds ON something. Poor researched show, poor host . Bring some smart Progressive women on. Watch ratings soar. Oh, and Hillary will smile and probably not shake his right hand.

      Report Abuse
    • Author by vysotsky (July 18, 2007 6:47 pm ET)
         

      You'd think that a guy who went on Dancing With the Stars would feel a wee bit more secure in his masculinity than to be threatened by watching a woman ON TELEVISION.

      Report Abuse
      • Author by tommy (July 18, 2007 6:49 pm ET)
           

        I hear his next gig is in "The Nutcracker"

        Report Abuse
        • Author by vysotsky (July 18, 2007 7:54 pm ET)
             

          Sadly, no.  He initially got a role in that show, but he just couldn't keep up his stamina during performances, so he got sacked.

          Report Abuse
    • Author by Lynn (July 18, 2007 6:49 pm ET)
         

      hmmm, I bet there's probably very little there to protect, but then again maybe that would make a man more cautious.

      Report Abuse
      • Author by neondesert (July 18, 2007 7:06 pm ET)
           

        Lynn, I can, without fear of opposition, speak for all men when I say that there exists NO level of caution higher than that which we exercise for...uh.... "the boys", regardless of dimensions.

        Report Abuse
        • Author by vysotsky (July 18, 2007 7:17 pm ET)
             

          I would pay to see Tucker's reaction to that scene from the last James Bond film.

          Report Abuse
          • Author by neondesert (July 18, 2007 7:31 pm ET)
               

            That scene was the only time I've ever actually closed my eyes watching a movie.

            Report Abuse
        • Author by Lynn (July 18, 2007 7:21 pm ET)
             

          What can I say b-breaker rule one go after size. That usually hurts pretend macho but real wussy guys like Tucker.

          Report Abuse
          • Author by vysotsky (July 18, 2007 7:34 pm ET)
               

            Come on, Lynn.  Look, I know we're all having a ball, you know, busting on Tucker like this, but really, let's stop cracking these jokes.  The guy has clearly lost his marbles on this issue.  He's getting a very short shrift from all of us, and this halfcocked attack on him is uncalled for.

            Report Abuse
            • Author by HuntingtonBeachLefty (July 18, 2007 8:09 pm ET)
                 

              Don't get testy, Vy.

              Report Abuse
              • Author by neondesert (July 18, 2007 8:59 pm ET)
                   

                Hyuk!

                You two are nuts! 

                Report Abuse
                • Author by leatherhelmet (July 18, 2007 11:41 pm ET)
                     

                  These jokes are real jewels.

                  Report Abuse
                  • Author by worrierking (July 19, 2007 8:51 am ET)
                       

                    If only Tucker had another supporter to help protect his nutsack from the squirrels.

                    (Can you say "nutsack"?) I've already had a post deleted from this thread.

                    Report Abuse
                  • Author by Lynn (July 19, 2007 9:47 am ET)
                       

                    I've got this really old rusty nutcracker at home. I'm not sure why I haven't trown it away, but you just gave me a wicked fantasy. Did your legs automatically close????

                    Report Abuse
                    • Author by vysotsky (July 19, 2007 2:40 pm ET)
                         

                      Depends on your wicked fantasy, Lynn.  If it involves a bowl full of unshelled walnuts, I think that's just charming. :)

                      Report Abuse
    • Author by layman26 (July 19, 2007 5:40 am ET)
         

      Olberman will certainly mention this if Tucker were to play goalie and cover his crotch rather than concentrate of stopping the shot, that would be one of the most pathetic and gutless scenes in all of sports.

      Report Abuse
    • Author by tex (July 19, 2007 10:00 am ET)
         

      The unspoken charge here is, where is the Evidence that Hillary poses a threat to anybody's person? Where is this implied violence, this danger to masculinity? Is it PHYSICAL? Or is it psychological, which is to say all in the minds of those who "FEEL THREATENED"?

      There's a few words for those who feel threatened without any cause. Coward and wimp spring to mind; rightwingers terrified about losing whatever masculinity they (falsely) believe they have.

      Pitiful, and worse that they demonstrate their fear and shortcomings in public. How humiliating.  

      Report Abuse
    • Author by neoskepticon (July 19, 2007 11:29 am ET)
         

      TUCKER:  This just in!  Girrrrlls ...... have cooties!  ewwwww! [squeals like a 12-year-old]

      Report Abuse
    • Author by donaldspm4482 (July 19, 2007 3:33 pm ET)
         

      It seems like Tucker Carlson just loves to take cheap shots at those on the other side. Its interesting too because he could have ended up being one of the more rationale conservative voices in our media. Instead he ends up on Crossfire and now he is doing this *sigh*

      Report Abuse
    • Author by christopher howard (July 19, 2007 3:51 pm ET)
         

      Fair's fair. Whenever Bush comes on television, Tucker spreads his legs.

      Report Abuse
    • Author by bkboase3653 (July 19, 2007 4:08 pm ET)
         

      In a duke out betwix Tucky and Hillary...my money's on Hillary. The guy's a poof.

      Report Abuse
    • Author by Pithaughn (July 19, 2007 5:23 pm ET)
         

      Tucker's bio features this gem re his education:

      University: History, Trinity College, Hartford, CT (attended, no degree)Hmm, I wonder if his father's connections helped at all in vaulting over all those other graduates of journalism, history, sociology, political science?

      Report Abuse
    • Author by ugojwt2 (July 19, 2007 5:40 pm ET)
         

      tucker carlson is a boy in a mans body

      Report Abuse

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