A conversation with CNN Crossfire co-host and author/writer Tucker Carlson on his new book, the media, live TV, Satan (James Carville), and even blogs.
I just had a very interesting conversation with Tucker Carlson, co-host of CNN’s Crossfire and author of the forthcoming book Politicians, Partisans, and Parasites. What follows is an attempt to capture that discussion. Usually I do interviews via email so I know I capture the person’s statements accurately but Tucker has been on the road a great deal and so needed to do this via the phone. I didn’t have recording capability or transcriptions services so I simply tried to capture his answers out as we went along. Any errors or mistakes are surely mine so if I screwed something up, my apologies to Tucker Carlson who was gracious enough to speak with me. I will have a review of his new book posted later this week.…
Article comments
26 - Bob
Tucker Carlson, aside from having the goofiest name (tucker?) is a sniveling little arsehole, whose opinion matters none and is far less interesting than he thinks he is.
I invite him to Canada anytime, and would like him too, while here, open that fuckin mouth of his so that I can fill it with my fist.
27 - Bob
Will (idiot above my first blog reply), why dont you fuck yourself 'Coulter calling it like it is'? WHA?
You stunned cunt, you have no idea what Canada is or is not, nor does ms. coulter you're an ignorant yank with no balls what so ever. Please visit Canada soon, Id love to kick your weasely little faggot american ass.
28 - pamela simmons
Tucker, I was viewing the Bill Maher show on HBO, October 21 2005, where you said that the U.S. has the best access to "cures" than any other nation. Really? Although we probably have the ability to provide the cures, we don't provide access to everyone. Being a middle class status American (according to the income bracket), if I or my husband were to be afflicted with cancer or any other deadly disease, you might as well consider me a goner (or dead), because I don't have health insurance coverage. (Self employed $60,000 annual income.) I could no more afford to fight such a disease as I could afford a luxury car. What nonsense, to inject that all Americans have access to such care. The truth of the matter is that only "wealthy or employed" citizens have access. According to our beloved president, small business owners are the structure of a vital economy. However, very few small business owners can afford health insurance. So I am assuming he is talking about the ability of larger corporations being able to take over the small business profits when the owner dies. What a boom! It's clear you are a true follower (like our president) of the fascist belief. (Characteristic of a fascist country; the separation and persecution or denial of equality to a specific segment of the population based upon superficial qualities or belief systems.) But you fail to realize, if all of your worker bees die, the separation and persecution will etch into your class group. Then health care will be unaffordable to you. Only then will you care about the rising health care costs and the inability for certain segments of the population to afford "cures".
Give it some thought.
29 - Big Toe
I also heard Tucker's lie about health care costs on that same Oct 21 Bill Maher episode. His claim that health care costs (in terms of % of GDP) are higher in countries with universal health care didn't seem credible. I looked it up (2001 figures): US 14% of GDP, France 9.6%, Germany 10.8%, Japan 8%, UK 7.6%.
30 - Ed Ochs
I think Tucker is missing the point of Norm Stampers legalization claim. Tucker was arguing that Heroin would be as readily available as beer in a convienience store. What an idiot! That is a typical asshole journalist response. Did Prohibition work you dumbass? What Norman should have come back with as a response to your assinine question: Is percocet or vicodine illegal? NO! Dumbass but it is controlled by a pharmacy and in some states hard liquor can only be purchased in a state owned liquor store. These are the ways his ideas will work. And Norman, pull your head out of your ass in interviews, you have good ideas but you come across as an insecure ex-cop in front of pompus asses like Tucker. The war on drugs is lost, Tucker is wrong and Norman Stamper is right, it will just take intelligence and guts to make it work.
31 - Dave
Tucker Carlson, Ann Coulter and recently - Will Clark are all human garbage. Typical uninformed arrogant Americans wanking themselves senseless with their own flag waving rhetoric.
32 - wes sullivan
Please say it ain't so. Tucker is now showing up with untied bow tie at the end of his show. This is so utterly contrived and declasse. Is it his way of showing people that he doesn't wear a clip-on. If he had any quoth he would wait till he is at least in his house or maybe driveway to undo his tie. This move on his or his staffs part is truly sophomoric.
33 - Francesco
I find it unfortunate yet depressingly unsurprising that many Canadians assume that by agreeing with Carlson or Coulter about the sad state in which Canada now finds itself, one must surely be American. Because, oh how can we forget, Canada is the greatest country on earth, with no possibility of improvement, unless it happens to be a change that further differentiates us from those American morons (sarcasm). We Canadians to easily forget that, as these two have pointed out, we do indeed depend on the US for security and economic prosperity. Since the 1960s, Canada has slipped into international insignificance, and cudos to Coulter and Carlson for calling us on it.
34 - Malle Smits
Tucker, Tucker Tucker........Have you forgotten that it's not CANADA the world is laughing at???
Really amazing.....However, namecalling can be expected from the schoolyard bully when he no longer has words to defend himself. What's worse, the cousin you find "retarded" is much higher regarded by the world than your , I assume, intelligent bosom buddy (U.S.A). We just keep on laughing. Why?!!!!!....Well, just because we can ...thanks to people like you. Thank you for your contribution. Things just don't seem to be going very well lately for you guys.....are they????? So, now little guy....go give Ann Coulter a hug and a peck on the cheek and you'll both feel much better in the morning... ready to rant and rave another day. Birds of a feather....
35 - Maurice Choptain
I find Tucker's recent rant on Canadians quite amusing. As a Canadian, who does not rap himself in the Canadian flag as most americans do to demonstrate their love for their country, it is interesting to note how some americans, when travelling abroad, pretend to be Canadians because of american animosity. What more can be said - everybody loves Canadians - where ever we visit. As to New York, love the city to visit but if you truly want to find a cosmopolitan, friendly, warm (in weather as well as people) place, he should spend some time in Vancouver B.C. There is an old adage to all of this - if you can't be like them then knock them. Seems Tucker is quite a student of this philosophy. Keep it up Tucker it's the best compliment you can give to us Canadians.
36 - Liz
To All Canadians: By writing about Tucker Carlson, showing anger or whatever, is what he wants Canadians to do. He is trying to draw attention to himself and no publicity is bad publicity. His comments do not reflect the views of all Americans. Personally I like most Americans, except the ones who voted Republican. But even those people voted blindly, being told nothing but lies by their president.
I think it's very sad that Americans in general know very little about Canada. But that's not their fault, it's their government's fault. The American people are raised to believe, they live in the greatest country on earth. That's called American propaganda. Their government fears that if they know too much about Canada, too many will immigrate here.
Hollywood movies is another form of American propaganda. In 98% of every movie made in Hollywood you'll see an American flag. Look for it the next time you watch a Hollywood movie. They put the flag in knowing that the movies will be shown in most countries around the world and the Americans are always the heroes. Take WW2 for example, thousands of American war movies came out of Hollywood and anyone viewing those movies would think the U.S. were the greatest heroes. But the truth is, they didn't even join the war until it was almost over. Canada and Britain were in the war long before the U.S. and Canadian soldiers were the true heroes, fighting under the worst conditions.
The Americans lost the battle in Vietnam, yet in the movies they're seen as heroes and the same thing will happen when Hollywood begins pumping out movies about Iraq. This sends a message to the people in the U.S. that they live in the greatest country on earth.
Canada has been voted in the top 3 best countries in the world to live in, while the U.S. is at the bottom of the list. We as Canadians learn about all countries so we are fortunate but it doesn't make us better than Americans.
I also feel bad that because of the Iraq invasion, the loss of over 200,000 innocent lives, the Bush government has made the U.S. the most hated country in the world. Americans are told that 30,000 Iraqi's have been killed and it's just another lie. Americans also don't hear about how the Bush government and the former American Ambassador to Canada, has tried everything to destroy our economy.
Many Americans I've written to on the net, think that Iraq was behind the 9/11 disaster. Sad but true. The point is, the American people are not hearing the truth so they too are victims of their government. They are also not hearing what their government has done to Canada.
It does no good to argue with Americans because it's like trying to get a message of what's going to happen to the German people when Hitler began invading other countries.
The American president has announced that he made a mistake invading Iraq but he hasn't apologized to the Iraqi people. There are no insurgents, it's just a word used by the Bush government. The so-called insurgents are just Iraqi civilians trying to defend their country. Because of what Bush has done, it's made the entire U.S. a very dangerous place to live.
Bush is responsible for more innocent deaths than Suddam and should be tried with crimes against humanity. Until that day comes, the American people will forever live in fear. So I sincerely care about the innocent American people and the innocent Iraqi people. But it was Bush and his gang of tyrants that started this whole mess and if Bush doesn't apologize for what he's done to the Iraqi people, and to Canada because we didn't join his money-hungry invasion for oil, there will always be anger between us.
If we keep playing into the hands of people like Tucker Carlson, more anger will ignite between our two countries. Isn't it better to ignore the ignorance of people like Tucker Carlson and just try to get along with our Americans neighbors. Come on, we are Canadians who strive towards peace in the world, not war. We must never lose sight of what makes Canada such a great place to live. Not perfect, but great.
37 - Canadian dog-sledder
I find it absolutely riveting that Tucker's ignorant and extremist views regarding many things, and not just Canadian rhetoric, has resulted in him becoming a joke in the eyes of many politicians and respected journalists (not just Canadians).
He continues to perpetuate the heavily saturated belief around the world that "all" Americans are ignorant self-absorbed morons. I believe that this is obviously untrue.
But, hearing an idiot like Tucker continually bash a country who is, as Tucker puts it, the "retarded cousin" to the United States actually dictates Carlson's insecurity and deep down distain for a country that actually is influential (otherwise he wouldn't find it necessary to continuously drop stupid remarks).
You don't seek Tucker Carlson running his mouth regarding other so-called insignificant countries. That sends a powerful message about the sheer degree of his pathetic disdain for a country that is amazing in a multitude of ways he will never truly understand.
see ya!
38 - john townson
Dear cousin Tucker:
Thanks for thinking of us last Thursday. I see you are still wearing those silly bow ties. I remember you spending months learning how to tie them. Finally, you just gave up and bought those store bought ones with the elastic band. Remember cousin Louie(the slow one in the family. You got him wearing them ties. Funny he picked it up right away and can now tie them in a flash. Canadians don't like those goofy ties. Louie took so much heat he just up and left Canada. Last we heard he was teaching law at Columbia University in NYC. Is that anywhere near you? Perhapsyou two can get together over the holidays. Hope you can make it up for Thanksgiving again next year. Remember it's in October not November Tucker! Last year we sat around, drank beer and told stories. Remember every time you came up with a bright idea we would tap you on the head and it would go away. Well the whole family would like to do that again next year. No need to bring a turkey with you. No one liked him very much. Anyway, Tucker Merry Christmas.
Your Canadian cousin,
John Townson
39 - joseph marc dupont
Tucker, let me begin with a confession. I do not watch your show. In fact, the only reason why I am responding to a couple of specific comments you made is that it was emailed to me by a friend, and I felt as though I would like to address it. Let me quote you from this article: "but Canada is never going to occupy an extrodinary amount of american thought." Tucker, I think that is an excellent example of ignorance. "Anybody with any ambition at all, or intelligence, has left Canada and is now living in New York." I sense there could be a splash of sarcasm involved in this statement, I mean, you can't really mean that. Perhaps you do??--and if so, let me introduce myself (for I can only speak for myself) my name is Marc, and I am intelligent, and I live west of Buffalo. And alas, ha, I admire your determination to promote controversy, I mean, hey, you need to concern yourself with ratings--correct? "Canada is a sweet country. It is like your retarded cousin you see at thanksgiving and sort of pat him on the head. You know, he's nice but you don't take him seriously. That's Canada." Well, first, lets consider what 'retard' means--"A slowing down or hindering of progress; a delay." What is the hurry man??!! If you are suggesting that Canada is the cousin that takes their time, and has a smile on there face, and is comfortable in their simplicity, and doesn't get upset over trivial things like condensending cousins--then I would agree with your last statement. However, I think maybe you are missing the essence of what being 'Canadian' really is.
What is that you may ask? I don't think anyone in Canada or abroad can really define that. That Mr. Carlson is the beauty of being Canadian, it is undefined, and nobody seems to really care. Perhaps, maybe, possibly, Tucker, there is some significant value in that.
merry x-mas, happy holidays, all the best.
yours truly, Marc
40 - TD
Tucker Carlson:
I just love how you put your foot in your mouth! I love how you are able to spread your uninformed rhetoric and agitate crowds and inspire negative sentiments against those you feel the need to attack. I am talking about Canada, that seems to be your big beef right now, right? Well, as a Canadian, I can say how disgusted I am at the fact that you are even allowed to talk, let alone make comments in media and pass them off as educated ideas. I am most disturbed by the fact that, this same type of rhetoric, hatred directed at a group of people, was once witnessed in the 1930s Germany. But thank Godthat you have absolutely no hope in running a country! I do however, live in a democracy and I must respect your rights to speak ill about those that helped your country when you needed it (9/11, Katrina). However, since you can call us Canadians "retarded" (well, you called Canada retarted, thereby implying residents thereof are equally retarded), and were allowed to get away with it without losing your current job at msnbc (yet), I therefore reserve the right to call you a doushbag and a misinformed, self centred idiot that can't tell his ass from a hole in the ground! Rather than insulting people and nations like a grade 2 bully demanding lunch money from some random kid, why don't you read a newspaper, cook up some credible ideas and make an argument or perhaps even solutions to problems you feel you need to put your nose into? So, act your age, not your shoesize, grow up, wake up and get informed quickly! perhaps one day you might actually be taken seriously and do a little good in life, numbty! Personal attack? you bet your ass it is.. I have been personally attacked, I am just returning the favour!
As for everyone else: I do not believe for one second that this "man" speaks for all Americans. I love the American people,in fact, I have good friends that are Americans. But, its fools like Tucker that give Americans a bad name. Shut him up and ship him out, my friends to the south! Fellow Canadians, keep the comments coming, it may be publicity but it is bad! If he loves it, then he is sick!
Your Canadian "Friend":
Tom
41 - Maurice Barringer
Hello Tucker,
I watch your outstanding show regularly. I am a grammarian who has noticed that many news people use the word SNUCK. The word doesn't exist. The word is SNEAK or SNEAKED.
Sincerely,
Maurice Barringer
42 - Ivona Tinkle
I think tucker is kind of cute.
He says the truth that no one wants to hear.
43 - Dan Druff
SO AM I BABY![[WINK]][[WINK]]
44 - Andrew
Most of what Tucker said wasn't serious. But on the whole he was correct. If you can not find humor in what he said then you should go feed you team of huskies and fix the door on your igloo.
45 - Lauren
I was just watching a 'conversation' on MSNBC and wanted to correct their record. A black Republican commentator made a statement about Hispanic opinion regarding acceptable legal immigration. The record I want to correct in his mind is the FACT that most all Hispanics ARE native Americans, therefor by definition NOT posible to be American immigrants.
They were here already before the black or the white or the United States.
46 - tom
You people are out of your minds. its really quite sad. Tucker carlson is not a bush crony or a republican tool he is a conservative more in line with libertarian ideas. hes not against drug use (hes a deadhead), hes against the death penalty, and hes for free speech. basically he believes people have a right to live their lives. the canada thing is a joke and you people are over reacting. and by resulting to personal attacks based on his attire or his physical attributes makes you look petty and stupid. and do you think he will actually read these comments? anyway i like all of you have no life and thought i'd set you straight because it honestly scares me that there are so many passionate morons out there
47 - Alln
It was right after the various Republican exposes got to the news that I noticed Republican politicians and talking heads had raised the pitch and rapidity of their speech. This apparently replaces actual logic, facts and threatening conversation.
Tucker sets the standard. Watching him try to upstage Bill Maher and fellow panelists on Real Time was an embarrassment. Tucker is inclined to call people stupid a lot. He talks over them, interrupts and keeps up an almost constant commentary--mostly naysaying--apparently designed to overwhelm the opposition. Once thought he was smart and rational. Now think he's just another defensive conservative.
48 - Jon
Wow, I guess I'm not the only person hating Tucker right now. I can't help but wonder how much fun Rick Mercer would have talking to him.
After speaking with a few intelligent Americans, I found that they realize the relationship between Canada and the United States is important. So, considering that, I decided that it is not Tucker's fault that he is an ignorant fool. It is the fault of the networks who keep interviewing him and letting him think - like a handikapped boy - that he can truly play the game that all of the regular people are playing.
I appoligize for the politically incorrect views about the handicapped. Comparing them to Tucker is a disservice to them.
49 - anne pond
Tucker: You are great and such a gentleman. I have always said if Hillary is elected, I'm going to leave the country. Now my first concern is to be sure my passport is up-to-date....I told my older son "I can't believe I voted for Bill Clinton (his first term and I was caught with his carisma). His answer: "But, Mom, you only did it once." What is with her clapping??? Do we really need two Clinton presidents????? Keep up the good work!
50 - Tamara McIntosh
people are saying what Tucker was saying was a joke. I think he was actually serious I think that he actually is as stupid as he sounds. He obviously knows nothing about canada let alone ever been there or even knows an actual canadian. He is an example of a percentage of americans that beleive all this amazingly retarded bull about well canada is cold so they must get to work at the local egloo factory in there dogsled duhhhh... ( or a direct quote from tucker " I think there is a alot of dogsledding in canada yes I beleive thats true you can deny that..." oh my god tucker to be honest alI have to say is ha ha ha ha ha!!!)that percentage may also believe because we have provinces that have french as their first language that we all are like that.simple people over generalize things in order to personaly understand those things more simply or even make up shit as fact because they have no fucking clue under the sun except canada is cold.I'm an average canadian I have never seen a dogsled or an egloo and I don't speak french.I do however drive a car to work speak english and attend classes at one of our many universities I Also enjoy nice long summers where I can walk on the beach in canada. tucker try getting a fucking IQ higher than 50 and then try to go on tv or try writing a book otherwise your just poisoning the media and wasting all your viewers and readers time with all you non-factual completely simplified garbage that you actually believe.
51 - steve rowley
Amy Goodman is NOT a nutcase [Gratuitous vulgarity deleted by Comments Editor]
52 - Matt Eldridge
I have no idea when this movie of tucker came out with his take on canadians. I dont really care either. I'm also a canadian and not only have I never seen an igloo or a dogsled I work in the arctic. I also enjoy long long summers which i might remind you Mr. Tucker are getting longer and longer and longer. I don't know why that is so I'm not going to point or blame BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW. Take a hint Mr. Tucker. Didn't your Mom ever teach you that if you don't have anything nice to say don't say it at all. Well you've done it Mr. Tucker you've pissed off I don't even know how many canadians. So watch out becuase we can make houses out of snow and we dont need gas for our transportation and we're comin for ya tucker. Have a nice day.
Oh i'm sorry that was a joke just incase you didnt get it.
53 - Matt Eldridge
oh and for you americans you think i'm taking this personally .... your all fat and stupid .. your president has stripped your edjucational funds and your health care is fucked. From outside the box it looks as though your just fuckin around in the middle east with no more of a motive than i have writing this letter which seems pretty miniscule when peoples lives are at risk. Have a nice day... oh hey dont take it personally eh . i was just kidding ;)
54 - linda
I don't know why anyone is surprised by Kerry-
the last dem nominee POLITICAL INSIDER ESTABLISHMENT candidate
throws his support to UPSTART INSURGENT OUTSIDER candidate.
"WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST ONE LINER ABOUT HIM."
Can anyone say FLIP FLOP!!
55 - Cecil Jones
When one door closes, another one opens. What you lacked in your show was "Dynamic Tension." You lacked balance. Who wants to hear just your opinion? You need someone strong enough and flexible enough to help you navigate the minefield of politics. You need someone that can open your eyes to the reality most of us see everyday. You need a "Crazy Liberal" like me to make your product more entertaining. I'd call the show Unfair and Unbalanced. Everything would be in play because we'd attack from the middle.