Springer to File Papers for U.S. Senate

[Guest MrRant]

By ANDREW WELSH-HUGGINS, Associated Press Writer

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Jerry Springer, the talk show host who put wife-swappers, strippers and skinheads on the air and then watched the punches fly, will file papers to run for the U.S. Senate as early as Friday, advisers said.

 

Springer, 59, the former Cincinnati mayor, will not decide whether to actually run until later this month, said Mike Ford, his political adviser.

 

The early filing is necessary to avoid getting into legal trouble for raising money without officially declaring a candidacy, Ford said.

 

Springer is airing 30-minute infomercials across the nation to raise money and build support for his possible run for the Democratic nomination next year.

 

The infomercial, paid for by Springer, is part biography and part fund-raiser. It explains how Springer's parents fled Nazi Germany for England, then moved to the United States just before Springer's fifth birthday. The ad seeks small donations and offers T-shirts, bumper stickers and CDs of Springer singing "rockabilly" music.

 

The infomercial will air for about two weeks in several U.S. cities including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Tenn., New Orleans, San Antonio and New York. Ford would not say how much it cost.

 

It was not immediately scheduled to air in Ohio because of concerns over equal access, meaning TV stations would have to offer equivalent time to other candidates.

 

The infomercial also addresses potential problems by Springer's talk show, known for its profanity, fistfights, cheating spouses and incestuous relationships.

 

Springer repeats a theme he has voiced several times in recent months — that his show is not responsible for problems in Ohio with schools, jobs and the economy.

 

The infomercial focuses on a comment by National Review commentator Jonah Goldberg on a Sunday morning talk show several months ago. Goldberg warned of new people brought to the polls by Springer, including "slack-jawed yokels, hicks, weirdos, pervs and whatnots."

 

The infomercial offers that quote on a T-shirt and inserted into a signed photograph of Springer next to a sign for Hicksville, Ohio. Springer refers to the quote and talks about wanting to reach out to "regular folks ... who weren't born with a silver spoon in your mouth."

 

State Sen. Eric Fingerhut, a Democrat, has already announced his candidacy for the Senate seat. The Democratic winner will probably take on Republican Sen. George Voinovich.

 

"A half-hour infomercial doesn't wipe out what he's been doing for a decade," Fingerhut said Thursday. "All it does tragically is identify Ohio with his level of entertainment."

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I would love it if he got in. It would just be way too entertaining.

[Guest JMA]

Just imagine the members of the Senate throwing chairs at each other.

[Guest MrRant]

It would be like watching those Asian congressmen fighting each other.

[Guest Retro Rob]

Jerry can't be any worse than the rest of the bunch. But I would imagine he would no longer have time for the show, so I'm not sure exactly what I want for him in the future.

[Guest Hogan Made Wrestling]

Springer's political resume is credible (mayor of Cincinnati, ran for govenor, etc.) but his TV show totally ruins his personal credibility and ergo he is not taken seriously no matter how good he could be as a politician. That being said, members have congress have commited far worse offenses before being elected than running a trashy TV program.

[Guest kkktookmybabyaway]

No way Jerry would win in Ohio or Kentucky.

 

New York state on the other will probably have a Senate seat opening up in a few years...

[Guest Tyler McClelland]

I don't see why he wouldn't win. Ventura did.

 

I saw a recent interview with him, and he seems rather competent.

[Guest JHawk]

I live in Ohio, and there are definitely people here who would vote for Springer if he declares his candidacy for Senate. Hell, some people would vote for him just to get Voinovich out of office.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

No way Jerry would win in Ohio or Kentucky.

 

New York state on the other will probably have a Senate seat opening up in a few years...

Have you ever BEEN to Kentucky?

 

"slack-jawed yokels, hicks, weirdos, pervs and whatnots."

 

That's irrelevant. In terms of an election, they get called one thing: "Voters." If the rest of us get off our lazy asses and vote, that is.

[rising up out of the back seat-nuh 0]

Damn, I'd love to se him run for president.

[Guest kkktookmybabyaway]

I don't see why he wouldn't win. Ventura did.

Minnesota ain't Ohio.

 

1) Ohio is much more conservative than Minnesota.

 

2) Didn't Jesse benefit heavily from voters that registered the same day/close to the election?...

[Guest Tyler McClelland]

Perhaps, but then again, Springer is a lot more competent than Ventura ever will be.

[Guest Retro Rob]

Many people immediately write Springer off due to his show, which is pretty sad. The guy really isn't half-bad.

[Guest kkktookmybabyaway]

Perhaps, but then again, Springer is a lot more competent than Ventura ever will be.

At least Jesse wouldn't have paid off a hooker with a PERSONAL CHECK. I'm sure he just uses cash.

 

But I do agree that Springer would be a better politician than Ventura. Not saying that's a compliment though...

[Guest SideFXs]

President Voinavich and Senator Springer...Can you imagine the tax rates then?

[Guest JHawk]

President Voinavich and Senator Springer...Can you imagine the tax rates then?

If Voinovich is ever elected president, I'd suggest everybody move to Canada.

 

Amazingly, had Springer not bounced that check for the hooker, he would have stayed in politics rather than done his talk show and we wouldn't be having this conversation.

[Guest starvenger]

My question is, would Jerry bring Steve the security guy with him?

[Guest kkktookmybabyaway]

Just posted on Drudge. Figured it dealt with the topic...

 

http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/07/1...c2spring14.html

 

COLUMBUS - Residents of Hicksville aren't too happy that Jerry Springer is using the northwest Ohio village as a symbol for his U.S. Senate campaign.

 

Springer, 59, is raising money for his campaign by charging $100 for autographed photos of himself pointing to a Hicksville corporation-limit sign. The photo is shown on his Web site, www.runjerryrun.com.

 

Springer, a Democrat, is not expected to formally announce whether he will run for the Senate seat held by Republican George Voinovich until later this month.

 

The photos are superimposed with words that commentator Jonah Goldberg uttered on a CNN politics program this year: "If Jerry Springer shows up, he'll bring all these new people to the polls. They will be slack-jawed yokels, hicks, weirdos, pervs and whatnot."

 

The photo was snapped after Springer was in the town about 70 miles southwest of Toledo May 5.

 

Springer spokesman Dale Butland said that with Goldberg's quote in mind, the campaign couldn't resist the photo opportunity.

 

"We thought it was too good to be true," Butland said. "We were going to bring out the hicks, and here we are in Hicksville."

 

The 3,600 residents have defended the community against the inevitable jokes since land agent Henry Hicks gave the town his name in the 1830s.

 

"I've got a sense of humor, but this makes us look like a bunch of ...," said village administrator Kent Miller, trailing off before the "H" word tumbled out.

 

"If Springer's running for office, I don't know why he'd want to tick off 3,600 people."