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SENSATIONAL SENATE

Geraldo Rivera May Run For Senate

But mustachioed broadcaster would have to give up lucrative gig

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by David Mark

Editor-in-Chief t

Image: AP.

FOX News host Geraldo Rivera may try to trade his TV perch for another gig in the public eye - U.S. senator. The 1980s-era talk show host-turned-newsman recently mentioned his intentions on his radio show.

"I am and have been in touch with some people in the Republican Party in New Jersey. I am truly contemplating running for Senate against Frank Lautenberg or Cory Booker in New Jersey," Rivera said Frank Lautenberg, the 90-year-old incumbent Democratic senator, says he has no plans to step down. Newark Mayor Booker has suggested he would challenge Lautenberg in a primary, if necessary.

But The Daily Beast's Howard Kurtz is skeptical a Rivera Senate bid will happen. For starters, Rivera isn't exactly an exemplar of social conservatism. "His memoir, filled with tales of the women he has bedded, is called 'Exposing Myself.'" Kurtz writes of Rivera, who's been married five times.

Then there are the actual issues. "He's been a liberal crusader on illegal immigration. He is pro-choice on abortion. He favors gay rights and same-sex marriage. Good luck with that in a Republican primary."

There's another reason Rivera likely wouldn't make the leap: money. Senate salaries are $174,000. Pretty good for most people, but a fraction of his broadcasting income. Plus, financial disclosure forms would force him to reveal sources of his wealth - which has made many a celebrity think twice about running for office.

Via The Daily Beast, and Politix analysis.

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Comments (view in Forum)

  • Rocker
    !
    Yeah, but just think what a filibuster he could deliver. He can cruise at 120 spoken words a minute with gusts up to 500. Actually making sense is optional.
  • frigginhell
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    @Rocker As long as I get to see Reid break his nose. It's funny he doesn't know who he'll run against. Did he forget which district he lives in? Oh yeah, he'll pick whichever seems more favorable and suddenly he's a hometown boy. Just like the rest of them. To much baggage and his fame is to marginal. I don't see him winning.
  • scotta
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    He is a better canadate than some the GOP has placed in the running. Whith Gerald he doesn't have skeletons in his closet. They have all been showned on TV
  • RedFloppyShoes
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    Geraldo sucks on TV, on radio and is a political doofus.

    When you consider that his claims to fame are Al Capne's vaults and getting a broken nose from Nazi/white supremacists on his TV show which was a predecessor to Maury and Jerry.

    If he ran for office, he would be seen as the RINO that he is.
  • Jack-Black
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    "sucks on TV, on radio and is a political doofus' Yes. But ,what makes him any different than 90% of the people in D.C.? Think he might fit in.
  • PoliticalSpice
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    His politics have changed alot over the years. He was originally in the young lords party, then worked for legal aid. Used to autograph his photos "peace and love." was a very good investigative reporter. Got greedy and wanted more even though he was making a mint, so the station, i think cbs, refused to renew the contract. Over two decades later he shows up on fox, unimpressive reporting was a disappointment, the post below gives an example of how his reporting shifted from good investigation and seriuos journalism, to trashy sensaltionalism, no where near as good, politics aside, then he used to be. And now looking at politics he has become decidely republican. Disappionting, but considering how low he has fallen as a journalist, hardly surprizing.
  • Jackie312gm
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    Geraldo Rivera has 100% liberalism running throughout his veins and soul. In my book he's worthless to the REPUBLICAN PARTY. end of story!!!!
  • mimi57
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    @Jackie312gm I know he's a rabid liberal, but I have always liked him...he seems to have such a good heart and always goes to the most dangerous
    places where he's getting shot at ( and missed ). He is my favorite Liberal.
    I just like him...am I slipping? LOL
  • mimi57
    !
    @MongoAPillager Hahaha...I really do like him. It must go back to my leftist Lib
    days...old habits die hard.(:
  • View all 10 replies >
  • bsking
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    Well he would be better than the pedofile New Jersey has now... and just think of all the hysterical fun in between elections cycles when Jerry rivers open is Al Capone's vault or King Tutinkamin's sarcophagus to reveal the original Reese's Cup recipe in each... on his TV specials.
  • o
    thejimbo
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    Rivera has been married five times. The first four marriages ended in divorce. He married Erica Levy in 2003, and the couple has a daughter named Solita Liliana. Rivera has four children from previous relationships.

    he fits the Newt mold when it comes to marriage ....
  • PoliticalSpice
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    Rivera is a sad case. He started off as a talented investigative reporter. Endded up doing trite stuff on tv. It was he who, during the iraq war, reported from the feild giving details, including drawing a map in the sand with his finger to repirt on a future u.s. troop movemt, the very thing the s ct said in the petagon papers case was the type of thing that could legitimately be censored. Endangered the lives of troops in the feild. Even I was shocked when I saw it, and all this on fox news. Guess they don't care who dirs if it gets em ratings.
  • PoliticalSpice
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    @bsking could have been, but i'm pretty sure it was fox for three reasons, i hardly watch cnn, he was a reporter for fox, and i was really shocked, and knowing me you can well imagine how much something like that would take to shock me, and i associate the shock with being doubly surprized fox would air it...
  • View all 10 replies >
  • u
    seedtick
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    Geraldo would be head and shoulders above the likes of Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi, etc. He is more of a centrist than conservative, but may be a good fit for the Republican Party.
  • kathyparsell
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    That is for another state than mine to decide. However he sounds like me if I were still a Republican, and the party needs more people like him.
  • u
    albert
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    No, but he would fit right in with the republican's,remember the safe that had millions in it ,from the mob,he will find the same thing in the republican party.
  • u
    DapperDave
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    Is anyone still paying attention to this pseudo broadcast journalist? I guess he couldn't be any worse than some of the fools in office right now.
  • u
    BelinKS
    !
    I'm a republican. I think most others would agree that Geraldo Rivera would be a poor choice for a candidate. He is only republican right now because that is making him more famous and making a lot of money. He is in no way a conservative. Not even a moderate.
  • ACTSmom
    !
    Hahahahahaha!!! Thank goodness he lives in NJ, not Florida. We have enough crazy stuff going on. This is almost as dumb as his lead-up to opening Al Capone's secret vault.
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