Rachel Maddow: Is Carl Paladino The Joaquin Phoenix Of Politics?

video

by Glynnis MacNicol | 11:57 am, September 30th, 2010

» 52 comments

Rachel Maddow, who one was one of the first to highlight the utter nuttiness of Carl Paladino shortly after he snagged the GOP nomination for Governor of New York, is back with a new Paladino theory. She thinks his campaign might be performance art…of the Joaquin Phoenix kind.

I have believed for a while now that Carl Paladino is sort of pulling a Joaquin Phoenix here. This is an awkward, horrible, wonderful, performance art as political campaign stunt to dramatize to all of us who are unafraid to pay attention that there is not such thing as too crazy in Conservative politics this year. Not any more.

Alas, Maddow’s guest NYT reporter Michael Barbaro — who penned yesterday’s must-read piece on the sketchy (to put it mildly) pasts of Paladino’s aides — says it is all genuine Paladino. Says Barbaro:

I think Paladino is a regular guy who can’t suppress his anger [exhibit A]…being on the phone with him is very surreal as a political reporter. Being with him is unlike being with any other candidate. He’s just not polished.

Barbaro also points out Paladino’s confrontation with Fred Dicker last night was totally “authentic” and that his temper may be what does him in in the end. In the meantime, he’s still here. Watch below.

Andrew Cuomo, Carl Paladino, Fred Dicker, Joaquin Phoenix, Michael Barbaro, Rachel Maddow

Cecelia

She’s gotten the DNC fax.

“Crazy” has now replaced the ineffective appellation of “racist” in Democratic operative circles.
Big Eddie

Is Maddow the Gladys Kravitz of cable TV ?
writer

If Paladino gets into tussles that often, I think it would be more accurate to say he’s the Sean Penn of politics.
Cecelia

Good point, Big Eddie. It’s a wonder she has gotten Ana Maria Cox on set to feign girlish embarrassment over their own Paladino penis jokes.
JimBob

This one is confusing to me.
Up until now I always thought Rachel Maddow
and Jaoquin Phoenix were the same person.
paulmdoro

Cecelia said:
She’s gotten the DNC fax.

“Crazy” has now replaced the ineffective appellation of “racist” in Democratic operative circles.

He doesn’t seem a little nutty to you?
Cecelia

paulmdoro said:
He doesn’t seem a little nutty to you?

No, he seems angry and frustrated and as though he can’t stand the heat and perhaps needs to get out of the kitchen.

There’s a difference.
paulmdoro

Cecelia said:
No, he seems angry and frustrated and as though he can’t stand the heat and perhaps needs to get out of the kitchen.

There’s a difference.

Guess it all depends on your politics.
Cecelia

paulmdoro said:
Guess it all depends on your politics.

Yes. It’s easier to come back from the sensible notion that you’ve allowed the stress of public life to get to you, than it is to recover from the appellation that you’re mentally unstable.
CosmosDan

Cecelia said:
Yes. It’s easier to come back from the sensible notion that you’ve allowed the stress of public life to get to you, than it is to recover from the appellation that you’re mentally unstable.

I think them saying he’s not polished is pretty accurate and maybe a bit of an understatement. I’m sure the stress has gotten to him. He may just be temperamentally unsuited for the job. He’s been pretty upfront about the objectionable Emails and his love child, {is that term outdated?} so you gotta give him props for directness.
CosmosDan

I meant, I’m not sure the stress has gotten to him.
TeaPartyPatriot

MEDIAite is moving more and more into the lamstreams socialist fake-news cesspool.
The Real Royal King

Cecelia said:
No, he seems angry and frustrated and as though he can’t stand the heat and perhaps needs to get out of the kitchen. There’s a difference.

Interesting. I think you may be on to something.
paulmdoro

Cecelia said:
Yes. It’s easier to come back from the sensible notion that you’ve allowed the stress of public life to get to you, than it is to recover from the appellation that you’re mentally unstable.

It’s easier to believe that someone who has said some pretty outlandish things in the past and appears somewhat unpolished says something like that due to stress rather than being a little crazy. Partisan lens.
The Real Royal King

What I enjoy about Maddow is the depth and breadth of her intelligence. What an interesting and apt comparison she has made.
Patrick Henry

Cecelia said:
“Crazy” has now replaced the ineffective appellation of “racist” in Democratic operative circles.

Yes, Cecelia it has, and don’t forget “reactionary”. All designed to make conservatives spend time defending themselves against false accusations. The same old liberal game plan.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Mark-Mcleod-Smith/1824423811 Mark Mcleod Smith

I didn’t think that little man was still on tv, Really!
http://www.karlspensen.blogspot.com Karl Spensen

The only thing CRAZY is that the libs listen to Mr. RacHELL MANdow!!!1 Remember HOWARD DEAN?!?!11 Now THAT was a CRAZY person!!!1 Carl Paladino is a True American Patriot who simply enjoys FUNNY E-MAIL FORWARDS!!!1 Nothing crazy about THAT!!1 Like the one I got the other day – “The zoo has an AFRICAN LION and the white house has a LYIN’ AFRICAN”!!!11 LOL!!!1
Corvax

CosmosDan said:
I think them saying he’s not polished is pretty accurate and maybe a bit of an understatement. I’m sure the stress has gotten to him. He may just be temperamentally unsuited for the job. He’s been pretty upfront about the objectionable Emails and his love child, {is that term outdated?} so you gotta give him props for directness.

The directness is what makes him appealing to some voters. Instead of wading through the double talk and innuendos that politicians usually take part in, Paladino cuts to the chase. Either you are going to like what he says or not. It makes things a heck of a lot easier for everyone. There is no guess work with Paladino.
paulmdoro

Patrick Henry said:
Yes, Cecelia it has, and don’t forget “reactionary”. All designed to make conservatives spend time defending themselves against false accusations. The same old liberal game plan.

And sometimes crazy is just, well, crazy. It’s not all part of a well-organized, widespread conspiracy. Some people are nutty.
Corvax

Karl Spensen said:
The only thing CRAZY is that the libs listen to Mr. RacHELL MANdow!!!1 Remember HOWARD DEAN?!?!11 Now THAT was a CRAZY person!!!1 Carl Paladino is a True American Patriot who simply enjoys FUNNY E-MAIL FORWARDS!!!1 Nothing crazy about THAT!!1 Like the one I got the other day – “The zoo has an AFRICAN LION and the white house has a LYIN’ AFRICAN”!!!11 LOL!!!1

Put down your Barbie keyboard and speak English.
The Real Royal King

Patrick Henry said:
Yes, Cecelia it has, and don’t forget “reactionary”. All designed to make conservatives spend time defending themselves against false accusations. The same old liberal game plan.

I think “reactionary” is the most appropriate term when applied to the Tea Partiers and some other Republicans. “Crazy” applies to all Tea Partiers, but not to all Republicans. Calling the Tea Partiers and some of the extreme rightist Republicans “conservative” slanders a group of fine people who simply have a different ideology than I. “Counter-revolutionary” might be good as well, when applied to the Tea Partiers because of their woeful lack of understanding of the American experience. However, I am not sure many Americans consider themselves the products of a revolution as the French, Indians and Mexicans do. A shame, really.
writer

Whereas the crazy, extreme far left could aptly be referred to as radicals.
paulmdoro

writer said:
Whereas the crazy, extreme far left could aptly be referred to as radicals.

Crazy is crazy, whether you call it radical or crazy or nutjar or whatever.
writer

paul, I was referring to the King’s War and Peace sized post explaining the terminologies.
The Real Royal King

writer said:
paul, I was referring to the King’s War and Peace sized post explaining the terminologies.

You’ll find the post to be under 140 words. Have you ever walked by a copy of War and Peace?
rockloper

Man I’m glad I’m not a teatard and have to defend this thug!!
RichS

paulmdoro said:
He doesn’t seem a little nutty to you?

Did you think President Truman was a little nutty when he defended his daughter?
paulmdoro

writer said:
paul, I was referring to the King’s War and Peace sized post explaining the terminologies.

Gotcha.
writer

Yes, King. One passed me on the street the other day.
The Real Royal King

writer said:
Yes, King. One passed me on the street the other day.

Probably the only way it could happen. You’re just lucky some of those African Americans who are always chasing you didn’t chunk one at you.
writer

They’re not nearly as frightening as that look you’ve got in your video, Robert. How did you manage that Charles Manson like glare? Were you on crystal meth, or is it merely a form of psychosis?
Patrick Henry

rockloper said:
Man I’m glad I’m not a teatard and have to defend this thug!!

So are we.
CosmosDan

Corvax said:
The directness is what makes him appealing to some voters. Instead of wading through the double talk and innuendos that politicians usually take part in, Paladino cuts to the chase. Either you are going to like what he says or not. It makes things a heck of a lot easier for everyone. There is no guess work with Paladino.

Yep. I prefer that kind of directness over the professional politician.
Patrick Henry

The Real Royal King said:
Probably the only way it could happen. You’re just lucky some of those African Americans who are always chasing you didn’t chunk one at you.

Off topc, King, how do you see the big game this week? I think it might be Boomer Sooner this year, by alot.
CosmosDan

Patrick Henry said:
Yes, Cecelia it has, and don’t forget “reactionary”. All designed to make conservatives spend time defending themselves against false accusations. The same old liberal game plan.

Sure. Don’t forget to object to right wing buzz words as well. radiacls, socialists,

Inaccurate generalities don’t add much value to the discussion or solutions
Patrick Henry

CosmosDan said:
Sure. Don’t forget to object to right wing buzz words as well. radiacls, socialists,

Inaccurate generalities don’t add much value to the discussion or solutions

So true. I wish the left would learn this.
paulmdoro

Patrick Henry said:
So true. I wish the left would learn this.

Do you post here much? If I had a nickel for every time someone here said “the left” or “liberals” while making “inaccurate generalities” my great-great-grandchildren’s college educations would be paid for and I’d be buying a private island somewhere.
writer

I’d be buying a private island somewhere.

Off topic, but I saw a show about Richard Branson. Has his own island, and built a three-walled bathroom so he could sit on the toilet and watch the ocean. Now that’s wealthy.
paulmdoro

writer said:

Off topic, but I saw a show about Richard Branson. Has his own island, and built a three-walled bathroom so he could sit on the toilet and watch the ocean. Now that’s wealthy.

The things rich people do with their money. Must be nice.
writer

You’re saying everyone wouldn’t build a three-walled bathroom?
paulmdoro

writer said:
You’re saying everyone wouldn’t build a three-walled bathroom?

Well maybe a few people I guess.
writer

I’ve seen those commercials where the guy and girl are in the bathtubs by the beach. It’s not that far fetched.
felixw

More substantive coverage from Rachel Maddow. Remember her? She’s the brilliant pundit who never talks about 17 million unemployed Americans or our $14 trillion national debt, but worries about candidates’ stands on witchcraft and masturbation.
writer

Priorities.
paulmdoro

writer said:
I’ve seen those commercials where the guy and girl are in the bathtubs by the beach. It’s not that far fetched.

Probably not, just hard to imagine.
The Real Royal King

Patrick Henry said:
Off topc, King, how do you see the big game this week? I think it might be Boomer Sooner this year, by alot.

You’re probably correct. OU hasn’t been a tower of strength so far, but I believe we are weaker than many people think. I actually got irritated when we didn’t change conferences in the summer, and I gave my tickets away. I’ve seldom missed the game. Well, Oktoberfest in Fredricksburg this weekend. That will be fun.
CAconservative

Politically, aren’t children suppose to off-limits for the news media, or is that just for Demo-rats? Personally, if I caught some news-clown sneaking around and taking pictures of my 10 year old daughter, about the only thing that camera would be filming would be the photographers Colon!!
betweentwoevils

writer said:
If Paladino gets into tussles that often, I think it would be more accurate to say he’s the Sean Penn of politics.

I was thinking more Andy Koffman. – Performance art. Seems to me no one I ever met acts like this potential governor. If elected, will he tone it down?
right-is-wrong

felixw said:
More substantive coverage from Rachel Maddow. Remember her? She’s the brilliant pundit who never talks about 17 million unemployed Americans or our $14 trillion national debt, but worries about candidates’ stands on witchcraft and masturbation.

More substantivecoverage from Felixw. Remember him? He’s the brilliant pundit who never talks about anything but how the lamestream media is responsible for all our woes, and whose response to questions and facts are replies of racism and liberal bias.

right-is-wrong said:
felixw said:
I respond in kind. Intelligent replies to intelligent queries. And for fools…. Well, you should know about that.

felixw said:
Funny you, of all people, should talk about facts. Why don’t you play the race card or talk about witchcraft….

right-is-wrong said:
Felix,
Nice spin, but you and I have NEVER talked race.
You got pissed when I brought you excerpts from TAX.com to show you that your numbers (from where?) which showed that US revenue increased when Bush had tax cuts. The Tax accountants at TAX.com stated that the revenues would have been higher had the tax cut not been enacted.

Remember? Then you told me it was a liberal pundit?

So my liberal pundit from TAX.com is now a racist?

Still spinning
No answers
perhaps people will only read the postings with cartoon characters.
felixw

right-is-wrong said:
More substantivecoverage from Felixw. Remember him? He’s the brilliant pundit who never talks about anything but how the lamestream media is responsible for all our woes, and whose response to questions and facts are replies of racism and liberal bias.

No comparison. I see Fox cover the economy, foreign policy, the war on terror, the deficit, the tax situation and a host of other real issues. I check out MSNBC and it’s all gotcha, character attacks and smears. And that’s how most viewers see it, according to the recent Pew Research report on the media. Fox is preferred overwhelmingly by moderates, independents and a large group of Democrats. Only ultra-left, kool-aid drinking loons think MSNBC is the better source of news.

So at least we now know which group you belong to.
Snidely

Paladino sure seems like the real deal to me, but if he’s not it’s an Oscar-winning performance. Either way, it can’t hurt his chances of being elected. Rick Lazio was a non-starter, because everybody knew him and he was about as exciting as pablum. At least Paladino gets attention, has money to burn, and may attract enough mad-as-hell voters to stand a chance against Cuomo, who is about as status quo a candidate as exists.