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.