Why we're all hot for Rachel Maddow

I know I'm probably breaking some sort of gay male covenant, but I have the world's biggest crush on Rachel Maddow. I first caught wind of the openly gay political pundit as she went toe to toe with Pat Buchanan over health care, rankling the socially conservative blowhard so much that he basically just started saying "socialist!" over and over, much to Maddow's delight. MSNBC noticed too -- now way it's a coincidence the network has transformed the duo into a political odd couple, appearing together on Hardball, The Verdict and Countdown with Keith Olbermann, which she will be guest hosting tonight at 8pm EST.

It might not be a great shock that a liberal lesbian would make the perfect foil to a man that writes in his autobiography, "Whose moral code says we may interfere with a man's right to be a practicing bigot, but must respect and protect his right to be a practicing sodomite?" but the joy in the Maddow-Buchanan relationship is that the two seem to genuinely like each other. When Buchanan fulminates and growls, you can count on Maddow to be smiling on the other half of the screen, ready with a counter-punch as is evidenced in this classic moment where the two discuss Idaho senator Larry Craig.

She's also one of the few people I've seen call out Pat on his bad behavior as it happens, as when he recently told Keli Goff to "Shut up" on Dan Abram's show during a discussion about Obama's strength with the black vote. "I've been on television with you a million times, and I've never heard you tell anybody to shut up before," she chastised him. "That was absolutely completely ridiculous." Before giving Pat a chance to answer, she moved on. It takes a lot to make Pat Buchanan stammer, but Rachel's got his number.

Maddow, a Rhodes Scholar who holds a doctorate of philosophy in political science from Oxford, began her career as an activist focusing on HIV and AIDS issues affecting prisoners. She hosted a local-radio talk show in Northhampton, Massachusetts, before joining Air America when it opened it doors in 2004. She's  hosted her eponymous weekday radio show ever since. To get a quick feel for her show, catch her mocking U.N. Ambassador John Bolton. She started appearing as a talking head on The Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, LOGO and in January of this year MSNBC brought her on board as a political analyst. Ever since there's been significant buzz that the liberal-leaning network is considering giving Maddow a show of her own, with many Daily Kos readers speculating that tonight's guest hosting gig is essentially an on-air audition.

While other cable news figures play coy with the public about their sexuality, Maddow's is a fundamental part of her political identity. Too often, women on cable news are portrayed as shrill harpies or fluffy eye candy by their male counterparts, but the genius of Maddow's style is that she goes on the air with nothing to prove, whether she's blowing Tucker Carlson's mind (what there is of it, at least), pointing out that in the Democratic Party controlled Congress is still only passing "Republican and Joe Lieberman-inspired amendments" or handing Joe Scarborough his balls on a silver platter -- which, you know, she really ought to get an award for doing.

The real reason Rachel makes my heart skip a beat, though, is that she isn't trying to ditch her identity as a woman, a lesbian or an activist to play with the big boys; she brings these parts of her to the table like her own personal arsenals. When old white dudes try playing hardball with Rachel Maddow, they're doing it on her turf -- which just happens to also be our turf, though I think she'd make the argument it also happens to be the common sense turf where most Americans live these days.  The fact she makes a mean cocktail doesn't hurt either.

-- JAPHY GRANT

Comments

[lrubemp]

Calm your jets. Maddow's ire over Larry Craig shows a typical opportunist liberal's zeal to go after Republicans, democratic rights be damned. The issue here isn't Larry Craig's "hypocrisy", it's the fact that in 2008, cops are still entrapping men in public bathrooms. THAT'S the real issue here, and she totally sidesteps it for partisan advantage. Not impressed.

[CouldIBe?]

Rachel is smart, funny, no-nonsense, and absolutely adorable. I totally have a girl-crush on her (tho' I'm a happily married woman). I think if she got her own show, she would take over the world...and we'd all enjoy that world!

[ashley Pinedo]

THANK YOU! I thought I was alone in my unfitting crush (straight woman)! She can switch from being really witty and funny to speaking really eloquently about important issues, without losing a bit of her credibility! Plus she's just lovely to look at and listen to! You really pinpointed it in that last paragraph. :) Cheers!

[lb]

I could just marry that woman...only in MA or VT...maybe CA. Whatever. I'll make it happen!

[Bob]

"gay male covenant"? I'm a conservative (Don't EVER call me a Republican) Hetero, married to the sweetest thing for 25+ years, and I can't stop watching Rachel. Until today, I had no clue of her orientation, and I DON'T CARE! (Google brought me here) I pray for the day that gay/straight issues are the biggest thing that we have to worry about. She is one of the most balanced, and fair minded faces on TV, and presents herself well. I'd kill for a smile like hers, and the twinkle in her eye. They need to kill the Abrams show, and give her an hour of her own. She talks while others shout and rant. I hope she does well for a very long time. I don't know if I am phrasing this correctly but, her orientation is what she is, not who she is or the sum of her being. A face with a brain......What a concept!

Bob

Yeah, i've got a crush on her, too. I admit it. I haven't been able to admit this to my friends, yet, since I am a straight male, and am a little afraid of what they'd say(since she is kinda masculine, and noticeably gay) but I think she's cute, and she's obviously smart as hell. Hey, smart is sexy, right? I just had to look online, and see whether I was all alone in this :)

[Katie]

My husband is in love with Rachel.
I am in love with Rachel.
My 8 year old son, who normally only watches Countdown's Worst Persons and Oddball segments, watched ALL of Countdown last night because even he is in love with Rachel!

[Art]

As a gay man, I'm in love with Rachel also, ever since I first saw her and heard her on MSNBC and Air America.

MSNBC and the whole country and the whole planet needs this lady more than we realize it.

If you ever get to Palm Springs, you better look me up! I'm waiting to meet you and thank you for everything you are and everything you say.

[Kate M.]

A solid week of Rachel hosting Countdown this week means I am happier than... something that's really happy.

I am not ashamed at all to admit a huge crush on Ms. Maddow and think she is the best thing to show up on a TV screen or Radio since Keith Olbermann started Countdown.

I'm hoping they do take away Dan's spot and give it to Rachel. I love the whole flavor she brings to TV and she's so much more confident it's a blast to watch her.

I'm glad to know I'm not alone in my love for Rachel.

[Creigh Yarbrough]

Thank you all so much for affirming my girlcrush on Rachel! This...from an aging straight white Smithie, political science grad, former Washingtonian, and former liberal-now-conservative who thinks Rachel's the most politically astute commentator to come along in my lifetime [after Olbermann, of course]. Give this Darling Grrrl her own show! NBC wouldn't hire me 25 years ago (too female...) but the time is finally right. Suits: Just do it!

[Jesse P]

I gotta say as a straight guy I find Rachel Maddow absolutely HOT! I think its her love of comic books and drinking along with her complementing sarcastic tone, not to mention shes hot.

[Ema Bell]

I am a woman that has been married for 13 years and both my husband and myself have crush on Rachel Maddow. She is refreshing, smart, balanced, and obviously respected. Women take note. You don't have to be an angry man-hater or a pornographic Barbie to be successful. Her own show on MSNBC is inevitable.

[Duane]

I too have a huge crush on her. She has the most amazing eyes.

[creamster]

I love Rachel too. Several friends and I have been madly emailing about her all week. I wrote the prez of MSNBC today to request a show for her. Dan Abrams is a dismal failure. Put Rachel in that slot. Back to back Keith and Rachel!!! How great would that be? I am simply blown away by how wonderful it is to watch and listen to her. Magnetic personality your name is Rachel Maddow!

[Rabbi Ribeye]

Hetero, ultra-lib Rabbi unabashedly hot for Rachel, make-up or not. (Although, why that silly line under her neck delineating between her make-up and the pearly skin that is her God-given blessing?

[anne]

am beyond a girlcrush and all ready to go gay for Rachel, she has a special something, heck am not even american and I hear her political radio show everyday just to hear her voice, her skin seem so fair and her mind so sharp... sigh yep hot for Rachel Maddow.

[Livvy]

Maddow's well-informed, KIND and knows how to flirt with a camera (ie twinkle) just like flirt-pro Stephen Colbert. She's going to go Alll The Waaay... We'll be seeing her on the cover of Time & Newsweek before year-end...
PS: Personally, I think Bob is Keith O.! HA!

[PhiLLyinDaLLaS]

She's such a hotty, shame she's gay, I'd be all over her. Congrats on her new show.

[John]

I'm an avowed conservative but I'd switch parties in a second to be with Rachel !! Is she the "man" in her relationship?

[Margie]

I love Rachel way too much only after three viewings. More so because she doesn't have pierced ears. Confirms she doesn't need to prove who she is just what she prefers. A woman with a mind of her own. Dressed up, no dangling jewels and has a brain. Wow.

[Margie]

I love Rachel way too much only after three viewings. More so because she doesn't have pierced ears. Confirms she doesn't need to prove who she is just what she prefers. A woman with a mind of her own. Dressed up, no dangling jewels and has a brain. Wow.

[Debora]

I too have a major crush on Rachel. I'm wondering, does she have a sister? Theres no way she is single. :)

[Debora]

I too have a major crush on Rachel. I'm wondering, does she have a sister? Theres no way she is single. :)

[Pete]

Some lesbians look feminine, others look butch. It's not her orientation that throws folks off. She's a female whose body type by all accounts is more masculine than feminine. She's sexy IMO.

Amazing smile, sharp wit and a lovely temperament

[Pete]

Some lesbians look feminine, others look butch. It's not her orientation that throws folks off. She's a female whose body type by all accounts is more masculine than feminine. She's sexy IMO.

Amazing smile, sharp wit and a lovely temperament