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Taylor Marsh

Taylor Marsh

Posted: March 13, 2009 10:38 AM

Laura Ingraham is a wimp. If she can't take the heat of right-wing radio, maybe she should leave it to the boys. Because whenever you punch down from your power category you're either insecure or insufficiently aware of how embarrassing you appear or maybe it's both. After her infamous tirade castigating journalists for not going into Iraq's danger zones, while she was standing in the safety of the Green Zone, she's decided to hit a new low.

Ms. Ingraham went after John McCain's daughter, Meghan McCain, using weight to get the job done. She might as well have challenged Meghan to a pillow fight. Seriously, Laura, if this is the best you can do, please call Rush. I don't care for the wingnut blowhard, but at least he knows how to wage these messy party wars and what target is below his pedestal.

Ooh! Ooh! Hey Meghan, you're plus-sized! Ooh! Ooh! Done, of course, in Ms. Ingraham's best valley girl voice.

Via Think Progress (audio at the link):

MCCAIN (on MSNBC): And I think there's an extreme on both parties and I hate extreme. I don't understand. I have friends that are the most radically conservative and radically liberal people possibly ever and we all get along. We can find a middle ground.


INGRAHAM (mocking): Ok, I was really hoping that I was going to get that role in the Real World, but then I realized that, well, they don't like plus-sized models. They only like the women who look a certain way. And on this 50th anniversary of Barbie, I really have something to say.

When you can't attack an argument someone is making, attack the person. If it's a woman, go for the scales. Trouble is, Meghan has made peace with the weight issue -- as most women have to at some point -- leaving Ms. Ingraham talking to herself. From Glamour:

5. She has a great body image


"I got to a point where I was like, I just don't care. You think I'm fat? Fine. I don't care how much you weigh."

This one cuts across party lines, so all I can say is good for you, Meghan. A remark like Ingraham's has the spray pattern of buck shot.

But these wacky Republicans and their conservative cannibalism. By 2010 you've got to wonder if any of them will be left standing.

Taylor Marsh
is a political analyst, recently relocated to Washington, D.C. You can follow her on Twitter.

 

Follow Taylor Marsh on Twitter: www.twitter.com/taylormarsh

Laura Ingraham is a wimp. If she can't take the heat of right-wing radio, maybe she should leave it to the boys. Because whenever you punch down from your power category you're either insecure or insu...
Laura Ingraham is a wimp. If she can't take the heat of right-wing radio, maybe she should leave it to the boys. Because whenever you punch down from your power category you're either insecure or insu...
 
 
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12:05 AM on 03/16/2009
Laura's remarks are acts of despair. Her influence (and Ann's and others of the same ilk) is waning. She knows it. Meghan is trying to be constructive.
05:43 PM on 03/15/2009
Why hasn't daddy slapped ingraham down?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
nicole473
Because Republicans are a threat to this democracy
07:01 PM on 03/15/2009
Cause Meghan can handle it herself? And she did. On Twitter.
02:25 PM on 03/15/2009
Meghan McCain is photogenic enough to have become somewhat of a media darling despite only being Republican for less than a year. She does not need to get glam to be more successful. Unlike Hollywood-style celebrities, politicians always strive to 'connect' to common folks and all media talk how Meghan is like a regular gal will only help her in her political career.
01:14 PM on 03/15/2009
HP's headline is on the money. Laura has very good reason to fear Meghan McCain. Laura Ingraham is now exhibiting a trait we, the aging, also have. She is wise to fear the younger Ms McCain. But Laura need not expect physical harm from Ms McCain. You see, Ms McCain is a cultivated, witty woman & a lady. Laura has another reason to fear Ms McCain; if Laura tries to have a battle of wits with Meghan, Laura is unarmed. Celtic people & people who have Celtic ancestors, such as Ulster-Scots, have wicked wits. These people enjoy using their native wit. They entertain the rest of us with their acerbic, sharp wits. Laura should be afraid of Meghan.
12:04 PM on 03/15/2009
I've got to say, as one who has happily watched the Republicans struggle for a young and attractive alternative to their dirty-old-man image, Ms. McCain's classy debut is a bit disconcerting, in a partisan sort of way.

Just when we thought they were on their way to the dust-bin of history, here comes a loyal young lady who is not the least bit intimidated by the wingnuts in their midst.

I'm torn between my partisan desires to see the party of no become an historical asterisk, but I'm cheering this young lady's gumption and composure, despite the possibility thqat she may actually HELP her party find a way to survive the passing of generations.

The Ingrams, the Limbaughs, the Hannitys and the O'Riellys are all sour faced bitterheads. Meghan McCain is a breath of fresh air and basic honesty in red sea of knuckle-dragging provocateurs. As much as I prefer not to give the R's anything, this young lady may well be the REAL voice of the Republican party. If so, they may actually survive the sins of their fathers.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
marijam
Independent
06:50 AM on 03/15/2009
Wait a minute. She's saying that in order to make it out in the real world, that you've got to have a certain body type. I think she's right about that, unfortunately.
12:08 PM on 03/15/2009
I know more big and small ladies who have made it inn "the real world" than models...

Self esteem knows no body type, only mental types.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
SherryIndianapolis
Justice
12:11 PM on 03/15/2009
Therapy, sweetie, therapy....
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
merger
12:31 PM on 03/14/2009
Oh, I doubt Laura is afraid of Ms. McCain. She just doesn't like her.
12:30 PM on 03/15/2009
Sometimes fear and jealousy are easily co-mingled. The trepidation may be buried deep enough to hide it (though it is surely a prime motivation) , but the envy is palpable and so topical, it just makes those of us who are "spectating" just chuckle. Anyone who doesn't see the green-eyed monster in Ingram's body comments is ignoring it intentionally.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
nicole473
Because Republicans are a threat to this democracy
06:54 PM on 03/15/2009
She is jealous of the attention that Meghan is getting.
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05:13 PM on 03/15/2009
Laura Ingraham is certainly a negative force, more negative than a cancer survivor needs to be or should be.
HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
reggieb
11:44 AM on 03/14/2009
I guess there are only so many "important blond" spots in the hierarchy of the Republican Party. Ingraham is probably lashing out because she's on a downward spiral.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ShinjiIkari
Do you understand how stupid it is to be afraid?
11:00 AM on 03/14/2009
Since Olbermann promoted Comedian Limbaugh to "Boss" of the GOP, the title of Class Clown apparently has been passed to Dr. Laura. Come on: "Real World"? Is that the best material you can come up with? You, Doctor Laura, have been tasked with upholding the GOP tradition of vapid non sequiturs thinly disguising the party bedrock of racism and greed; at least date the lame attempts at humor somewhere in this century.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
cloudminder
05:03 PM on 03/14/2009
Laura Schlesinger is known as Dr Laura

Laura Ingraham is not known as Dr Laura

-- I think it best to keep the two personalities separate for the sake of being clear about attributing the correct statements to each
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MajorKong
If the pilot's good, see, I mean if he's reeeally
05:38 PM on 03/14/2009
"Dr. Laura" has a doctorate in physiology, not what she usually talks about on her show.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Decipherer
Objects may be closer than they appear
06:00 PM on 03/14/2009
Schlessinger
06:49 AM on 03/14/2009
What!? "You're not sexy enough to have your opinions count?" This from a vapid blonde stick-figure talking-points puppet? I don't know anything about Meghan McCain except she's loyal to her dad (a plus) and speaks her mind, which is apt to get her kicked out of the Republican Party. Ingraham just underlines the problem. What the hell happened? How did the Republicans turn into this parody of Stalinist Bolshevism? They're like a bad science-fiction movie from the early 1960s.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
kjstjohn
06:35 AM on 03/14/2009
Meghan is adorable. Ingraham sounds jealous.
12:53 AM on 03/14/2009
What Laura Ingraham is really upset about is that Meghan had they guts to go on the Ratchel Maddow show.
You'll never see Laura sit down with Ratchel .
Meghan your a class act.
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RonGallion
I am John Galt
11:54 PM on 03/13/2009
I'm sure Laura isn't afraid of Meghan. But Laura has been that way for a long time. I listened to her for a year and she would routinely comment on the looks of people and make fun of them, that's why I don't listen any more.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ediva75
"Free Your Mind & The Rest Will Follow!" -Envogue
10:02 AM on 03/14/2009
She comment on her looks because she's a petty, oogly, no real feminine figure, small witch. I don't see her getting modeling gigs or requested to pose for the cover of the Sports Ilustrated swimsuit cover!!!
11:47 PM on 03/13/2009
All this shows is that Meghan McCain has class, and Laura Ingraham doesn't.
11:25 PM on 03/13/2009
Ingraham is a real lightweight!