Wednesday, August 6, 2003
FOXNews.com: Trash Talk-Show Host Springer Won't Run for Senate 
Springer, who has hosted the trash-talking "Jerry Springer Show" for the last 13 years, said that he could not reach voters because of his links to the program.
"For me to be heard, I could no longer be doing the show. There has to be separation between the show and my entrance into politics in the elective arena," Springer told reporters at a press conference. "That separation obviously has not taken place and certainly would not take place in time for this election."
Springer said that he had received much support as he criss-crossed Ohio over the past six months. But he said one message was clear throughout: that he could not run for office while hosting a show in which not only the female guests, but audience members, frequently strip off their shirts in a Mardi Gras-style circus environment.
"I have enjoyed doing it, so I am not apologizing for the show," Springer said, "but I do recognize what I am being told, and I do recognize the reality."
"And the reality is," Springer added, "'We will listen to you, we believe your sincerity, we even like some of your answers, and we're ready to sign up, but you can't be doing the show while this is going on.'"[...]
I think it was worse than that. It wasn't just because the show would still have been running concurrently with his campaign.
It's quite obvious that the name "Jerry Springer" is iconic and represents...well, you name it, all the base, classless (and funny as hell!) stuff in American culture.
And Jerry knew it. And Jerry was perfectly capable of being a thoughtful politician in spite of the show. And that makes this too damn bad.
Not that I support what he stood for. I might have liked him in my previous incarnation as left-leaning fellow, but that's a bit beside the point. Because he wasn't drummed out for his positions. Because he never got to that point.
And that's too bad.
