UPDATE: The video is no longer available. Developing
Setting up a clash with WWE over crude content, state Democrats have responded to the wrestling entertainment company’s plan to scrub its spicy content from the web.
This isn’t quite NSFW, but it is pretty ugly stuff. It’s part of “a new campaign” by the Democrats to highlight “the truth about McMahon’s past.”
Heads up: wardrobe malfunction about two-thirds of the way through.
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65 Responses to WWE To Democrats: You Can’t Watch This (Updated)
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This was clearly produced during the attitude era/TV-14 time. For the Dems to even ask if this is TV-PG is a blatant distortion. McMahon clearly states they created TV-14 content but is now TV-PG. There is nothing wrong with an entertainment company like WWE selling a variety of programming…it would be like Warner Brothers making R rated and G rated movies simultaneously, which they do. In the end, aren’t parents responsible for what their children consume?
Every time the Dems release another attack ad, all I want to do is vote more for McMahon because all the Dems offer me is entitlement, government control and hypocrisy.
But if she’s going to campaign on her business, then why can’t she talk about what her business produced instead of scrubbing it?
Exactly which part of “It’s entertainment” do you not understand?
Some people consider snuff films entertainment too. That doesn’t mean it belongs on TV to a general audience. And personally, I consider WWE more offensive than George Carlin’s thoughtful, funny and incisive seven dirty words monologue, which is banned on American tv. Go figure. But let’s figure it out without McMahon in the Senate.
Are you comparing snuff films which depict real people being actually killed on film, to WWE wrestling?
Some people consider Journalists using propaganda and overt support of one political candidate over another to be a legitimate exercise of the First Amendment. That doesn’t mean it belongs in the Press. I am assuming you are the freelance journalist Ken Krayeske.
I love this stuff. More videos please. And I’m voting Linda.
This is so disturbing. Tell me again why this woman is leading in the polls? Do Connecticut voters not know? Are we that dumb? Please CT, don’t vote for this disgraceful woman. She does not refect the moral values of Republicans or residents of this once great state.
Linda is leading the polls because Chris Murphy has a long trail of corruption and non-payment of debts.
Further, it appears that Chris Murphy got a sweatheart loan unavailable to non-politicians from a bank he was responsible for regulating while simultaneously getting campaign contributions from that bank.
Since the mortgage industry issuing improper loans and Wall Street re-packaging those loans as mortgage backed securities was the cause of the 2008 financial collapse, that should be enough to understand why Murphy is trailing in the polls.
Since spending more money than we take in and corruption, both things that Murphy seems to have problems with, are at the heart of America’s debt and deficit problems, that is all the more reason for the polls indicating McMahon is leading.
Combine all these factors with the fact that Murphy has never run a business, and our unemployment rate is due to many businesses not being able to thrive in our current environment, and it is a wonder that the race is even close.
But fear not. Just like with Malloy, someone will find a sack of uncounted Murphy votes that total just over the deficit Murphy has on election night, and the Secretary of State won’t bat an eye.
This post is just like Linda’s ads– lies and distortions. Murphy is an attorney and that is the quintessential small business– not WWE which is big business. Murphy’s loan was in the middle range- not a sweetheart deal and by the way, he’s paid back his loans, unlike McMahon. Let’s not even start on his attendence record which is about what everyone else’s else since almost everyone sends staff to these hearings…and to put the cuts on him becasue Republicans wouldn’t agree to tax increases on the weathiest like McMahon?? Yes it is dumb to vote for McMahon because all that would do if give the rich and poweful our Senate then we can kiss our future in this country goiodbye.
The differences between the circumstances of McMahon’s and Murphy’s financial difficulties are vast. The most important being that McMahon did not get a lower than average rate loan after a recent history of non-payment of rent and a mortgage.
And being a lawyer does not make you a small business owner. In Chris Murphy’s case, he was employed by a small business owner. There is a difference.
In the same timeframe, just a few months before Murphy’s 4.99% mortgage, I received a mortgage at 3-3/8% from Webster for $180K (just about the same amount)
It was my first mortgage with Webster, and I was not a preferred customer.
So how is 4.99% a “sweetheart” deal??
How many mortgage and rent payments did you miss leading up to this loan being approved?
So I guess your point about non-payment of debts doesn’t apply to Linda. Her own commercials talk about the fact that she had to file for bankruptcy. Last time I checked that meant you didn’t have to pay your debts so it sounds like she’s not much better.
“Not much better”? She’s WORSE – he paid his debt, she never did. And she never paid back the tax breaks she got from the state even though she shipped jobs overseas.
Um… She plays the “career politician” card against well, someone with more experience – um, as a career politician! If voting for her is “dumb” as you say – we may need to talk to everyone who voted in the primaries, since Murphy HAS a record to run on (among other things the 716 Billion out of Medicare through PPACA and budget cuts that will effect CT’s military business). See? a record can hurt a (oops!) career politician !
Linda McMahon is leading in the poles because Chris Murphy will destroy this state (if there is anything left after Dan Malloy gets through screwing us) so yes, we want LINDA McMAHON…….BE SURE TO VOTE – LINDA McMAHON FOR SENATE!!! And yes, you are that dumb if you vote for Murphy!
Skip, Congressman Murphy and his lackeys have already destroyed this state.
Don’t be such a drama queen…Suppose they made some videos of Bill Clintons average day in the Oval Orfice, or Anthony Weiner…Of course good old Ted Kennedy was known to throw a waitress or two around with his drinking buddy Chrissy Countrywide…(Nice name for a wrestling star) This is about someone who knows someting about business, knows how to manage money and budgets, and has a good sense of the American Dream…Chris Murphy, has no experience and couldn’t make his housepayments…Of course, I’ve heard soem unusual rumors about his sexual preferences…
I commented on Linda’s page with the infamous Vince McMahon/Trish Stratus “bark like a dog” video. Of course they got deleted. I know it was a little underhanded on my part, but by my logic, if you’re going to campaign on your business, then why can’t we talk about what your business has done?
So Rick, if someone took your copyrighted content and used it in a political campaign would you be OK with it? I would hope not. Now we know it’s true what we’ve heard….that the new Tribune model is have you judged by your web hits….so I guess you’ll run your numbers up for this month with this post. The sad part is you’re a smart, talented writer on issues of the day and policy….why don’t you WRITE about issues instead of using your blog to run you web hit #’s up. It’s sad what journalism (particularly at the Courant) has become.
So Brian, by your “logic” if you’re going to run on helping the middle class and overseeing banks, then why can’t we talk about you not paying your mortgage, not paying rent, not filing your ethics report, getting a sweet-heart loan from a bank you do work for and oversee on your committee???? does that work as well? I don’t get it, help me understand, thanks!
Am I really being told that, of all those graduates holding MPAs, these are our best candidates for a seat in the Senate?
Stop the ride, I’d like to get off, please.
Disappointed to see just attacks going both ways. I would rather learn what they plan to do to represent CT.
The combination of flat salaries, no corporate growth, increased public sector growth (ie taxes eventually), >$4.00 for gas, >8% unemployment….
Yet we are searching the web for old WWF videos???
Chris Murphy’s mortgage is a huge concern for me, because it reflects on what he did while working for “us”. I think we deserve the truth on that one.
Let’s talk about not respected Woman. Let me name of few Democrats. Bill Clinton, Ted Kennedy.
Do I need to say anymore.
But declaring bankruptcy and not paying your bills and then getting loans after that is perfectly fine though?
@ “johnny mcmanus”-one has to do with an option that is available to all of us under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, the other is related to a legal action taken against someone who has failed to live up to their legal obligations.
Secondly, as a result of Congressman Murphy’s record of failure to address real issues faced daily by Connecticut families (i.e. 23 million Americans unemployed), the bankruptcy option is real one when it comes to putting food on your families table. Would you suggest that be removed as an option or are you just an elitist who has no problems securing favorable loans because you know someone in the banking industry?
When I was growing up wrestling was the reality TV of it’s day…. titillating trash. And the people who watched it were seen as uneducated morons……Funny how things stay the same…..
especially outdated, bigoted perceptions
Linda is leading because people want Better results and not rehiring someone for the same results Ct has been getting. The garbage The media keeps bringing up was the old WWE. Politicians and the media are doing what Blumenthal did. A smear campaign and it makes them look pathetic once again..they dont get it and never will.I agree with JWilliam above.
This video is from the Attitude Era in the 1990′s. Even as a wrestling fan, I didn’t like it at the time. But what this has to do with TODAY is absurd.
How many jobs has Chris Murphy produced?
For that matter how many mortgage payments has Chris Murphy failed to make and then what’s the story with the deal that he got from Webster Bank?
I know from my own experience, getting a modification took over a YEAR. How did he do it so quickly?
But more than this video or the inadequacies of both of their pasts, where do the y both stand on the issues?
For my money, hands-down, I would trust a right of center Linda McMahon FAR more than a far leftist like Chris Murphy.
To me all this other stuff is just a distraction from a candidate and a party that has a failed record in everything that they have attempted to do.
I would urge ANYONE, from either party to ignore the personal attacks and strictly judge the candidates, and not just this race, but ANY race, based upon the merits of what the candidate stands for and their record. THAT is the only thing that matters. The rest of this is all BS.
I am as Atheist as they come, but this bible verse does seem appropriate when judging candidates mistakes and misjudgements in the past… “Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone…”
As I see it, there isn’t a Democrat who can stand on their record and their ideology that can match any of the candidates from the Republican Party. That’s my opinion…
We should shut down the wwe…lose the hundreds of jobs associated with the WWE and all the tax revenue that it produces!! Yet again proving the point that Dems do not care about jobs or successful companies here in CT!
That clip was on Monday Night Raw in January, 2006. WWE switched the ratings on their shows to PG on July 22, 2008. Do your homework Democrats!
This tactic and content of this commercial are almost has disgusting as the Hollywood content that is promulgated by Chris Murphy’s BFF and mentor, Chris Dodd. Any entity that would stoop this low is questionable, at best.
May I suggest that this campaign is about real issues such as the 23 million Americans that are unemployed under Congressman Murphy’s watch. Whomever is responsible for this tactic should retreat to the cave they came from while us real adults work to addresses these issues.
Connecticut deserves and needs better.
Is there enough white trash in Connecticut to elect Linda McMahon?
Good Lord yes. Seven days a week and twice on Sundays.
Care to eliminate those who failed to graduate high school from the eligible voter pool and take a guess at who would win?
Why do I feel like so many of these comments were paid for By Linda McMahon? Without real names attached, how can we verify that they are not the work of paid or volunteer campaign operatives?
Some people have jobs where they fear retribution by Democrats who like to be financial terrorists against business owners who fail to kowtow to their ideology.
Further, I don’t think Linda is dumb enough to pay people to post on a message board that 50 people are going to read. Of course, Murphy might be paying you and that is where you got the idea.
Ken: why do I feel as if you’re being paid by the Murphy campaign, or, at the very least, acting as a shill for his campaign?
Ken obviously is a girly-girl if he finds the WWE divas offensive. So you sit in your knitting room making afghans instead of watching NFL on Sundays, because it’s too ‘violent’??
Bill Maher is 10 time more disgusting then this issue but he’s a democratic hero. Can’t have it both ways People in Ct are feed up with anyone running with a D next to them. Enough with Malloy and Obama.
Bill Maher isn’t running for Senate.
I am a devouit Republican, but I would never condone the WWE. Furthermore, what has Linda McMahon EVER done for CT? And yes, Chris Murphy may be a career politician, but I prefer to call him a public servant. The money is terrible. He could make 5 times more going into another arena. Yes, these people may make over $100,000, but they need to have 2 homes, one in DC & another in their district, pay for plane flights for their families and pay their staff. Plus they work 7 days a week. Chris Murphy is the only Democrat I’ll vote for because he has helped my family out when no one else would. He’s doesn’t blow his own horn. He doesn’t try to be a movie star. He is simply a kind, decent human being who works hard for others. Linda McMahon is none of these things. She is a bully with a lot of money.
Linda has created a lot of jobs in Connecticut and paid massive tax dollars to Connecticut. What would you like her to have done for Connecticut in her capacity as a buisnesswoman?
You need a pile driver, ASAP.
Well said Sarah,
Linda McMahon is a dealer in sex, violence and moral depravity—case closed. She has used her blood money to try and drag this race into the gutter because that is the only way she can win.
Her “Raw” videos speak for themselves…she is a peddler who made a gizillion dollars by appealing to the lowest common denominator and now expects us to believe all the lies she is marketing about Chris Murphy…if CT voters are not smart enough or too gullible to believe what her campaign is saying then consider how she made her millions. Shame on all of us if we elect her!
Personally.. there is alot of us who gave up on Murphy and countless terms our state’s Politicians have. They have draggged this state into the ground.I give WWE credit for all the Charity work wrestlers do on any given day for disabled and sick kids. what have you done?
MGK: you might consider dealing with the shame you already live with for voting all the D’s into office, year after year. Look at how well they’ve handled things in this state. And if you’re NOT ashamed of your part in this – SHAME ON YOU
Linda McMahon saying she created those jobs is like Mrs. Thomas Edison taking credit for the light bulb or Mrs. Henry Ford taking credit for the Model T. Maybe some day the media will report the real story–everything she says about herself is, in the wrestling parlance, a “work.”
I resent McMahon trying to buy a senate seat with her own money. Where would she be without her huge self-financed TV blitz? She would be nowhere because she has almost nothing else to recommend her. No political experience.
Really?
You find it preferable for people to give money to candidates who will then be indebted to the donors?
You find it preferable for companies to donate millions of dollars to candidates who then provide hundreds of millions of dollars in loans to those companies?
You find it preferable for people to donate millions of dollars to candidates who then have the power to regulate and tax those donor’s competitors while exempting the donors from that regulation and taxation?
You find it preferable for public sector unions to donate to the very candidates with whom they will be negotiating tax payer funded contracts?
These options are better than funding your campaign yourself?
And is it your opinion that wealthy Democrats fail to exist in Connecticut? Linda McMahon’s personal wealth tips the scales so severely that the sum total of Connecticut’s Liberal Democrats can’t catch up?
Mike: you clearly haven’t thought this issue through. John Galts’ reply might help you get there – I certainly hope so. The future of CT depends on it
Did you resent Jon Corzine spending $64 million of his own money in 2000 when he bought the New Jersey Senate seat?
I resent Corzine, McMahon, anyone who buys an elected position. McMahon is going to easily best the 64 million mark and set a new world record.
What is your solution?
Mine would be a Constitutional Amendment that completely restructures election/campaign laws.
This would involve banning all contributions to any candidate, making campaign commercials illegal and making PAC’s illegal.
These mindless commercials would be replaced by position statements on 20 or so issues, that would be published weekly in all newspapers. Any candidate that makes it onto a ballot would submit that paper.
You could then have 6 debates where each candidate chooses a moderator. The questions would come soley from other candidates. Each candidate can ask each other candidate 2 questions. The purposes of the selected moderators would be to keep time, and vote if the candidate answered the question or talked about whatever they felt like. If 3 or more moderators determine you ignored the question, you get one more chance, then you lose your ability to ask 1 of your questions to each candidate.
Of course, this would require that we have a harsh penalty for media organizations that publish distorted or untrue information. For example, when NBC news intentionally edits audio to promote their viewpoint, they should be fined $100 Million and banned from the airways for one week. It wouldn’t take long for the Press to return to their original purpose of reporting facts from their current position of propaganda machines and political advocates.
Since few politicians would have the moral integrity to remove so much of their own power, this will never happen.
So in the real world, I would prefer a candidate that is not purchased by special interests. Only self funded candidates fit that bill.
Jay
What demOcrat said www were not good paying jobs? Actuaaly www does not employ anyone because there all mos misclSsified A’s independent contractors , at least they were until labor dept one it’s case against www. How node, Linda. Breaks labor laws
It is hard to tell from your post, but it appears you incorrectly believe that the wrestlers “won” their labor lawsuit against WWE.
http://www.ctemploymentlawblog.com/tag/world-wrestling-entertainment/
Please note that on multiple occasions this suit was tossed from court. When baseless accusations are made, suits tend to be thrown out of court.
yankees: trying to pass off blatant lies as truth doesn’t bode well for your credibility. The wrestlers are mostly independent contractors. The WWE staff are hired staff with benefits, etc. And there are a couple hundred of them.
The video is now disabled? Yes, there is enough white trash, but who knows if they will vote. I know plenty of women who will never vote for McMahon.
You’re right Marie, there is enough white trash. And the taxpayers are tired of them voting Dems into office so the money and percs can keep floating into their pockets.
It’s kitsch! Isn’t kitsch an art form nowadays? No worse than the crap you see on TV, and don’t we all love Hollywood?
Hey Mike Robinson, where were your objections when Ned Lamont spent his money the same way? (………)
Better an accomplished businessperson who’s met a (big) payroll and isn’t beholden to any donor, than a professional politician who can’t balance his own checkbook and who’s beholden to the banks he regulates — and has the questionable mortgage to prove it.
Jim,
Don’t you know wealth is not offensive if it is held by Democrats?
Don’t you know ill-gained wealth and cruel treatment of your fellow humans, like that of the boot-legging, lobotomizing, murderous Kennedy family is of no concern, as long as you are a Democrat?
Don’t you know that putrid treatment of women, like that displayed by The Kennedy’s, Bill Clinton, John Edwards, Elliot Spitzer, ect. is just fine? As long as you support unhindered abortion rights, you are pro-woman.
You have to start with the assumption that there are 2 sets of rules. Any given action or comment by a Republican justifies outrage and accusations of being at war with women, while identical actions or comments by Democrats get a blind eye.
On the videos and the WWE: America has a taste for violent, misogynist “entertainment.” Consider football, which can cause permanent brain damage, or boxing — look at Muhammed Ali, a sad, sad commentary. But we Americans do not seem to care if people are damaged for life as long as we can lounge around in front of our TVs drinking beer and criticizing their “performance.” So it’s really hard to fault Linda for catering to our worst instincts and making a fortune off them.
The real questions for me have to do with what qualifies a person for public office. The litany on the right is “business experience is what we need.” But never do I hear people saying in any specific way what precisely about “business experience” is supposed to qualify a Linda or a Mitt. Running a business is NOT like serving the public in a public trust. Reagan, that icon of the right, had no business experience — he was an actor and a union official. So please, let’s put aside this irrelevant matter and ask instead what qualifies a public office requires, and then test our candidates against that standard.
Wow. I like wrestling. If I’m the lowest common denominator, that must make me #1! See, some of us can do math and spell too! It’s a soap opera(gasp!) for guys…hokey storylines about muscleheads beating the tar out of each other. No different than General Hospital et.al, just a different story. I think McMahon is genuine in her quest. Why else would someone spend so much personal money for such little gain? She doesn’t need the job financially. It’s time for fresh thinking at the Capitol. The electoral process is about moving forward. Any candidate will have some ‘baggage’. Voters should really consider their future and search facts on both parties before casting their ballots and may the best person win. Hopefully she will!
And those hokey/degrading storylines…created by a girl! Now if you’ll excuse me, Honey Boo Boo is on.