Olbermann Names NPR's Rudin "Worst Person" For Sexist Clinton Comment

I wrote in this space last week about a remark Keith Olbermann made about Hillary Clinton, one with which I and others took issue as having sexist implications, and one for which he apologized both in print and on air, saying it was unintentional and apologizing for creating that impression. So it's only fair that I give him props for turning around and calling out NPR's Ken Rudin for his sexist comments, wherein he likened Hillary Clinton to Glenn Close's crazy bunny-boiling stalker character in Fatal Attraction.

This past Sunday, Rudin said on "CNN Sunday Morning" that Clinton was "Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction — she's going to keep coming back, and they're not going to stop her." He then reiterated the comparison later on in the show. Translation: Female candidate who remains in a hotly-contested primary battle is tantamount to a violent stalker who terrorizes hapless family, and also boils bunnies. Really it all comes down to that boiled bunny, the quintessential moment from that movie, now synonymous with crazy stalkers. Over the line? Mmmm, you might say. Olbermann did say, and he named Rudin yesterday's "Worst Person in the World." Well done, Keith. Keep it up!

Comments

[ntmessage]

Easy pickins given the ignorance of the misogyny issue in this campaign, especially when measured against preponderance race issues.

Tossing a bone to Clinton, when Countdown has been so Pro Obama and anti Clinton is so very disingenuous and intellectually dishonest. Frankly, Olbermann is too hard to take these days and the only place you can get an objective debate on the election today is on Fox noise. That is unbelievable!

I thought this changed, but yesterday Olbermann spent a lot of time attempting to rationalize the Wright mess as being over, again; attempting to keep a straight face with the ObamaWeek correspondents. The wishful thinking alarms sounding brightly for all to see except Olbermann and his own tone-deaf Obama pathology.

Then a lame attempt to make a false equivalency to the Wright issue, topped with ample false outrage in making up an issue when the NC Governor called a fictional character a pansy.

Wrap the show up with David Schuster, someone you can count on for Objectivity with Clinton issues, first talk over a Hillary ad snippet and then show the negative ads of both McCain and Clinton while omitting the ad from the Obama campaign that shows Hillary’s face in the cover of fortune magazine.

Nice Work Keith! The Left version of Fox Noise!

[waynedale]

Mort Kondracke said a variation of the same thing on Brit Hume's show tonight.

[HelftMoss]

Did you happen to know that Monica Crowley and Andrew Sullivan also rcompared Hillary Clinton to Glenn Close in that movie? The analogy seems to work and not because its sexist but because Hillary has a determination in her that is uncommon and dumbfounding.

[Rachel Sklar - Huffpost Blogger]

If we're talking about determination then why isn't she being compared to Terry Fox or Admiral Peary or some iconic character who doesn't quit in the face of danger, challenge or defeat? Why is it a crazy woman who was rejected by a man she had a one-night stand with and goes bonkers and terrorizes him and his wife and boils his daughter's pet bunny? It's an insulting analogy and not at all appropriate on any level.

[HelftMoss]

Wait... why does everything say Karl Rudin - his name is Ken. Please Ms. Sklar you are capable of getting that most basic piece of research right.

[HelftMoss]

Ken Rudin making a joke about Glenn Close in fatal attraction - it was a joke! I'm an avid public radio listener and a big fan of Ken Rudin - the guy is hilarious. Did he cross a line? Not really - the analogy worked. What really makes me mad is that Keith Olbermann didn't actually see the interview but rather just read about it on Media Matters. Ken Rudin is NOT the worse person in the world but rather just a guy going for a joke.

[Rachel Sklar - Huffpost Blogger]

Sorry, I just don't see the humor there, or any legitimate point of comparison. It's purely a comparison with an almost cartoonishly crazy woman in a movie.

[MzTexas]

As a former long-time Keith groupie, I say good for him. His bizarre obsession with Obama of late has turned me and many of his other groupies completely and totally off of his show. When the primary season is over, I'll go back, until then . . . . not so much.

[kipmartin]

dont piss Dr. O off!

[gluvox12]

I wonder if Rachael Sklar is upset at all about the constant Jeremiah Wright race baiting. Concerned? Maybe she agrees with it?

[Rachel Sklar - Huffpost Blogger]

Odd comment. You can read my latest take which includes Wright on ETP today as well.

[gluvox12]

In the "shame on you, Barack Obama" clip she does sound exactly like Glenn Close.

Sorry, I'm terrible.

(she does though)

[bessie1]

Well done, Rachel Sklar. You keep it up!