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

[reno1190]

MS EH FEARED BEING BACK HANDED AFTER THAT SMACKDOWN FROM RUPAUL lol

[klmebane]

EH got smacked down by rupaul? im so sad i missed that!

[arod72]

Seriously? Darn, I deleted that episode without watching that last segment of the show! Anyone have details of the smackdown?

[FlamingLibrul]

Here you go: http://jezebel.com/5164339/rupaul-vs-elisabeth-hasselbeck-on-strong-women

[cltclt]

Elizabeth slobbers over everyone that comes on the show (Michelle Obama) and then slams them behind their back. I doubt Rachel needs to hear from that little dummy how "exceptional" she is. I never heard Rachel mention her sexuality. Others seem obsessed with it. It's funny when someone writes a long paragraph about a topic and claim they don't care.

[sunny555]

You know what? I think you hit the nail on the head. Liz's praising of some of these women is just for appearance's sake, so she can tell herself she supports women. I think you are right, she probably talks about them in an unflattering way in private.

[julesbh]

I disagree, she took a beating from the others during the presidential election, she's not afraid to say what she thinks, also when Rupal was on the other day she took exception to some of his comments about former first ladies. What does she have to gain by complimenting anyone.

[MTmark]

...and BTW everyone respects Ellen for her honesty 'cause she rolled the dice and came out to the world, consequences be damned, IMO.

[lizr]

yes, she has a lot of courage!

[MTmark]

duze,
I've listened to Rachel since her start on radio w/Lizz and Chuck D, and I've NEVER heard her "blurt out her sexuality" . After she mentioned her girlfriend Susan one day on the radio, I assumed she was a lesbian. She mentioned it in passing, you know, the way we heteros do--"Blah blah my wife/girlf­riend/husb­and,etc , blah blah blah".
The prob is, you cons think all people who aren't like "normal" people should remain quiet and hidden and when they don't, it offends.

[rbarry647]

Rachel is the best and such a refreshing new liberal voice.
This is the first time EH has said something I agree with

[TheGuide]

Rachel is smart and projects herself very well. When I first saw her on Keith's show I knew she was destined for more than just a guest appearance.

[bellabeach]

Rachel is refreshing, Elizabeth take note...you could learn something!!

[JodyMcg]

Rachel is articulate, well read and listens. Elizabeth is just a pretty face... well sort of.

[jaydeedub]

Elisabeth might have a crush on Rachel.

[ZenCrusader]

I pay for cable television for one reason - to watch Rachael Maddow.

[Liberalforsure]

Why are idiots sending Rachel hate mail for her sexuality? They don't have to sleep with her! Good God, I wish conservatives would for once open their minds and hearts.

[Fromageball]

Conservatives don't like "big government" except for when it is controlling someone's private life. Conservatives also think that marriage needs "defending" from gay people, but not from adulterers who break their vows.

Conservatives do not make any sense, and in most cases just get in the way, just ignore them.

[Liberalforsure]

I try to but its hard.

[Yarrr]

Yup, you hit the nail on the head. Conservatives say nonstop how they support freedom, except all the times they're trying to deprive certain groups of theirs.

[Jamchinadian]

Rachel is one of the most honest in the business. With Campbell Brown, "no bias, no bull" is simply a slogan - she is biased. With Anderson Cooper, "keeping them honest" is likewise a hollow mantra. He lets some people off the hook and not others. Rachel - without any lame slogans - is the one who actually remains true to that code.

[RationalDubSteppa]

Well said. MSNBC from 7-10pm ET, has probably the best line-up on television. CNN is just to scared to press any buttons.

[PiscesPrincess]

CNN's political news director is Mark Preston; A Republican.

[plumnelly]

She continually raises the bar and the rest have a long way to go, exception Keith Oberlman.

[RationalDubSteppa]

Rachel is the greatest!!!

[scout90210]

Rachel the glasses are goofy!

[RationalDubSteppa]

NO! There Sexy! :)

[salzy1]

Dr. Rachel Maddow getting a nod of approval from that high intellectual, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, LMAO!

[obamasOHangel]

Right. If I were Rach, I would be offended. :-)

[rossor]

Rachel is gay??? Damn. All that money I spent at 1-800-Flowers .... wasted.