Rachel Maddow On "The View": Gets Praise From Elisabeth, Talks Coming Out, Limbaugh, Obama

Rachel Maddow made her "View" debut Thursday morning and covered a range of topics, from coming out to her conservative parents to her thoughts on Rush Limbaugh to why she thinks Barack Obama is the right President for the time.

Maddow — who, at 5'11", was described by Joy Behar as "a tall lesbian" — spoke, as she often does, about not being a typical "TV news babe." She discussed the first time she met her partner, Susan Mikula — like a scene from "Gay Desperate Housewives" — and how she came out: by plastering an announcement all over the dorm bathrooms at Stanford, without telling her parents (who received an anonymous letter alerting them to the news and "did not react well").

Maddow also described her look as a tomboy growing up.

"I had long blonde hair, but even as a little girl with long blonde hair, I looked like one of the Hanson boys," she said.

Maddow discussed her hate mail — of which there's a steady stream, some targeting her sexuality — but she also received an unlikely compliment from conservative co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck.

"You do an exceptional job," Elisabeth said. "I think it's important to recognize people who do a great job on both sides of issues."

Regarding man-of-the-moment Rush Limbaugh, Maddow said, "I think that Rush is very successful and very smart, and the idea that the President would actually debate him is hilarious. The idea that I would ask somebody from the Republican party...of course that would be great for me, but it would be stupid for any politician."

When asked about the economy and the administration, Maddow had high praise for the President.

"I think that we are in a pickle as a country," she said. "I think that the economic crisis is so much bigger than any of us can grasp. And I think that we need somebody with big ideas who's willing to take big action....I think the budget's a good budget, I think the stimulus plan is a good stimulus plan, I think we need to think big."

Watch:

Comments

[suryasource]

Didn't anyone else notice how uncomfortable and forced EH's disingenuous praise for Rachel was? It's like "let's let Elisabeth demonstrate that she can be open minded." It was just so staged, as if she was saying, "Rachel, you're pretty smart for a gay woman - so that makes you A-OK by me." I was uncomfortable watching it.... although I often cringe whenever Elisabeth opens her mouth to speak.

Rachel Maddow is an intelligent voice that cuts through the cable crap, to the core of the issues for consideration.

[carl99e]

When I first saw Rachel, I was unsure if she was a man or a woman. But in listening to her I decided the thing to do right away was listen and figure out the other thing later. My God, she is doing her own thinking! How'd that happen. She is not some lip gloss dittohead shmoozing for the camera. She has someting to say and is not offereing sexual favors to her audience.

In watching her show, I am always surprised and happy to see the new faces she brings to her show and how pleased they are to be her guest. It is a relief to get a break from the usual suspects.

[bonbk]

Rachel is one of the smartest and fairest personalities on Television today. MSNBC did a great thing giving her a show. Even Hasselback, the former Survivor star, now one of the spokespeople for the GOP (hehe) has to agree. Too bad it ended just when the issue debate started to get interesting.
My husband and I are glad there are mostly reality shows, (which we DO NOT watch) on television, more time for Rachel and Olberman, and I really enjoy Chris Matthews too.

[guruglenn]

Regardless of which way her gate swings, Rachel Maddow is right on with her view of current events. It is going to take a lot of forward thinking, including not penalizing people due to their sexual preferences, to get our economy moving again.

Right on Rachel,

Glenn Smith Author of Lotus Petal, A Parable to Help You to Overcome The Fear of Death
http://lotuspetalbook.com

[chrisc19]

I'm a Republican and think Rachel is fair in her journalism.

[happypup]

Thanks for your comment. It is always glad to hear of an open minded Republican.

[Lotus19]

Elizabeth the hypocrite. Is this like the praise she heaped on FL Michelle when she appeared on the show, only to trash her appearance afterwards while in the company of her Repug friends.

[happypup]

I agree - exactly what I thought! I am waiting for her to start badmouthing Rachel.

[Jodie Clarke]

Rachel is sooo smart and funny. Love her show and watch it daily. Also, enjoy Keith O!!

[happypup]

Me too, Jodie!

[MarianneEvans11]

Me, three, Jodi...

[citizen of the universe]

I think intelligence is sexy and Rachel fits the bill. She's comfortable in her own skin and she conveys that somehow on the screen. She's a breath of fresh air in an otherwise "simon said" industry.

[texasaggie]

She looks just like a young Elvis Costello.

[kiwi777]

I love Rachel! I think she's the hottest looking lesbian around! :)

[cyouareme]

Rachel is the hottest looking woman around! :)

[MarianneEvans11]

I have been watching her since her show began...Love it, love her....she is the greatest! Love Keith too....they make a great twosome....And, not to forget Chris Mathews....Glad he decided NOT to make a run for the Senate and will stay on TV....

[Biggamer]

I sooooo wanted to see Rachel and Elisabeth get into it. Finally, they had a guest who wouldn't be afraid to put her in her place and they cut it short!!!! They need to have Rachel on again and put her in the first segment so we can watch her put little miss know it all in her place.

[SnapShots]

Rachel is above cat fighting. Elisabeth seemed like she couldn't even keep up with the meaning behind Rachel's words, much less Rachel's thinking.

[LDS50]

You are so right. Elisabeth tried, but Rachel didn't take the bait.

[Dace]

Exactly - Rachel is very bright and the blonde hateful bimbo can barely spew her toxic GOP taking points.

[separatingwheatfromchaff]

Elisabeth was just starting to warm up with GOP talking points when the interview ended.The first thing I thought of is Rachels comments about herself,and how she thought she knew everything at age seventeen.In that context I think Elisabeth will be"forever young".She had no idea how close she came to terminal embarrassment.

[sej100]

You got that right.

Elizabeth was very fortunate the segment ended before she got out the rest of her ridiculous and inane talking points.

Rachel is the best

[SnapShots]

The broadcaster is probably being very careful not to allow Elisabeth to become another 'Limbaugh.'

[Jared15]

It's great to see that intelligence is being praised instead of feared. It seems like, for as long as I have been alive (27 years) it has been looked down upon to be smart. For a while people were proud of not only not knowing answers to questions, but not bothering to find them. I'm proud of my generation and the generation younger than me for breaking the stereotype of " young and dumb". I've noticed that the people of my generation are thirsting for any type of knowledge. It may be from a lack of knowledge being given in our schools or just an awareness that this country will depend heavily on us, and we better know the answers or we are doomed. Either way, I'd like to give a "kudos" to the youngsters. That sounds incredibly self-congratulatory but, I don't care, I'm young and dumb.

[OldKnute]

No kidding Jered,,,

Well studied, witty, informed and intelligent is sooooo appealing.

Not like searching for a topic to discuss and being met with silence. (Insert Crickets Chirping) I soooo agree.

Rachel is fantastic.

In my generation, it was Barbara Walters. I still have a huge crush on her! Oh,,, just to spend an afternoon talking with Barbara Walters. I swear,, I would have a million questions to ask her and listen with wrapped envy and attention.

Gawd what a woman.

Good call!!!

All the best

Knute

[yvetteb6374]

Who cares about Rachel looks; especially since she's pretty. I am a fan of Rachel and I looked forward to seeing Rachel on the View and to finally see an intelligent person shut Elizabeth (talking points from fox) up! I didn't get much of that because just when it was heating up they ran out of time,so i was very disappointed that Rachel was only alloted the last segment of the show. That day the View spent to much time discussing hot topics, which during that time they never talked about a hot topic. They wasted two segments talking about BS.
And I wouldn't be surpise to find out Rachel was given a short segment for Elizabeth sakes. Elizabeth needs to be challenge, I'm sorry but the other ladies don't really do it.

[Azuki]

My husband and I always joke about how he'd totally dump me for Rachel, especially when she does something geeky like talk about being a Watchmen fan from way back. It's nice to see someone on cable news to whom we can relate. It's the only show of its kind we watch, unless you count The Daily Show or Colbert Report. Go Rachel!!!!

[JoseFellatiano]

Why woud he take dump on u?