Mrs. Oleson is not going to like this. Look for Nellie to throw her bonnet into the ring very soon.
She was a more than a little ... wacky ... on "Dancing With The Stars."
Now, maybe, Congress? Makes perfect sense.
Now, maybe, Congress? Makes perfect sense.
I'm in the 8th, I seem to get the idea that a democrat is a democrat vote for whomever it is no matter their understanding of your district's needs and the people who live here. Gosh I would love to support a Democrat in the 8th who isn't a Carpetbagger and has something substantial to offer up. This interview didn't help at all!
Really!
Ana Marie Cox took every opportunity to ask "gotcha" framed questions. Her tone was negative from the first question. Might be good training for the rigors of DC, but I'm not sure that was the purpose of the interview. I, for one, did not appreciate it.
4
I Googled Ms. Gilbert. She is running as a Democrat, and has been a legal resident of Michigan for two years.
When do I get a job offer from The New York Times?
When do I get a job offer from The New York Times?
16
Go to it Ms Gilbert. Best of luck and I hope you are elected.
My mothers mother was a women who a hundred years ago worked very hard to achieve the vote for women.And my grandfather worked along side of her all the way. They both, with friends and supporters in a tiny community in W. New York did move mountains and shake up ideas.My mother and her sibs instilled the idea of equality in all we cousins knew as we grew and achieved.
One hundred years later a woman is reaching for the stars, as you are doing. Best of the best
R
My mothers mother was a women who a hundred years ago worked very hard to achieve the vote for women.And my grandfather worked along side of her all the way. They both, with friends and supporters in a tiny community in W. New York did move mountains and shake up ideas.My mother and her sibs instilled the idea of equality in all we cousins knew as we grew and achieved.
One hundred years later a woman is reaching for the stars, as you are doing. Best of the best
R
Ok congress is to be made new again, not John Boy, wasn't that wise of those Dead old white men, bravo to the Times, for reminding us that it's just an unreasonably tough go to be elected without some prior claim to fame or other trick up one's sleeve.
I had an acquaintance in Congress, and thus became incidentally acquainted with more than I might have about what it means to be there. Mostly it is very far from the interesting movie " Being There" , ideas, great hopes based on simple faith just is no longer the modus operandi of US Gov dot com. Should she win she might get on A National Monuments committee, and stop grave stone erosion via weed hacker, she might adopt lesser goals, but we need Congress and a newer ( I.e. changed) Congress we need oh so very much. Political Revolution, well we got to address mowing too. in fact mowing season now having arrived I once again ponder what happened to children with hand powered reel mowers? The Congress might investigate that.
I had an acquaintance in Congress, and thus became incidentally acquainted with more than I might have about what it means to be there. Mostly it is very far from the interesting movie " Being There" , ideas, great hopes based on simple faith just is no longer the modus operandi of US Gov dot com. Should she win she might get on A National Monuments committee, and stop grave stone erosion via weed hacker, she might adopt lesser goals, but we need Congress and a newer ( I.e. changed) Congress we need oh so very much. Political Revolution, well we got to address mowing too. in fact mowing season now having arrived I once again ponder what happened to children with hand powered reel mowers? The Congress might investigate that.
What a horribly inappropriate interview of a candidate. You asked about her breast augmentation? Seriously? Would you have asked a man if he had gotten hair plugs? There were better ways to handle asking about her being outspoken in the past, much better ways. And I don't care about her spiritual practices, I care about her positions on issues. It doesn't even say if she's running as a Democrat or a Republican, what kind of reporting is that? No wonder her answers got a bit terse.
12
Very poor interview. What is her knowledge on domestic and international affairs. What are her positions on planned parenthood, income discrepancies, deteriorating infrastructure as well as where we should be looking on terrorism and the Islamic State. There are two glaring issues here, first, Ms Cox did not ask any relevant questions and second, Ms Gilbert did not take the opportunity to express her positions or knowledge of anything. Will she make a good congresswoman? There is nothing here that gives the voter any information to form a voting position.
9
Unimpressed with this interview! What a waste of time. Ask some real questions on policy and positions next time. Like HB2.
7
She dodged the toughest pitch in your little game of softball.
2
As a politician, drop the god and faith routine, do your job. I did have a crush on you although time takes its toll.
1
I'm paying 36$ a month for this type of nonsense? Do some real reporting. Geesh.......
15
Never mentions issues facing her district. It's hard to understand how someone who spent her life living on a movie set has any grasp of the lives of the working poor, single mothers, or frail older adults. She thinks love wins out? Tell that to the people of Michigan like those living in place like Flint.
4
Love the last one ... Melissa seems to have some solid standards based on clear thinking. I wish her all the best.
3
This is a surprising interview, Ana Marie Cox is a great journalist, the questions were fair if a little softball. But Melissa sounded angry or terse with her answers.
If I were in Michigan, I'd vote for anyone who would help to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.
If I were in Michigan, I'd vote for anyone who would help to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act.
3
In many ways a good interview, but I also found it a little softball. Gilbert is not a teenage girl on the frontier; she is a sophisticated grown woman running for Congress. I think she would be a good Representative and certainly better than the opposition, but this article doesn't even give her party, much less any idea (beyond the magic wand question) of where she stands on issues.
1
Feisty, and real, and candid; she is likely the one looking out for her community...and serve it to the best of her abilities. If she becomes a politician, I'll have to revise my guarded pessimistic views about so many speaking from both sides of their mouth, political charlatans seeking a self-serving position, and privileging the 'rich and powerful' (to the detriment of anybody else). Go, Melissa, go!
3
As a resident of the 8th district I'm glad to have a Democrat running who has a chance to win
6
Is she a Democrat? The article says she is like Ronald Reagon, and doesn't list her party. Not living in Michigan, so I don't know.
To the editors, and reporter: What party is she in? Why is she in Michigan? Why are the commenters here filling in more information - simple, pertinent information - than the storey?
To the editors, and reporter: What party is she in? Why is she in Michigan? Why are the commenters here filling in more information - simple, pertinent information - than the storey?
4
Take a second look at the article. She's identified as a Democrat in the smaller text box.
For those wondering, Ms. Gilbert has been living in Howell, Michigan, since 2013. Her husband is a Michigan native. Sometimes actors don't live in California (see Demi Moore, the late Patty Duke, Al Franken).
1
Just as a lot of rock stars don't live in L.A. (Aerosmith, the late Prince. etc.).
I read the interview because I was curious about Gilbert's politics. After finishing, I still have no idea what she believes about the important issues of the day. This reads more like a celebrity interview than a political one.
29
Very brainy woman. Yale BA 1996.
3
This is an interesting premise for a story - I don't think many people know Melissa Gilbert's running for Congress. She appears to be running in Michigan but was born, raised and lived in California. So what's she doing in Michigan? And what's she in recovery from, alcohol, drugs? How does it affect her views on our laws regarding substances and prison time? Lots of important, legitimate questions to ask. Unfortunately all are ignored here. An enormous missed opportunity for Ms. Cox and her editors.
27
Readers are told that the Ana Marie Cox interview was "condensed and edited." but I don't blame Eric J. Weiner for finding himself baffled and balking.
Just to relieve the head scratching, check Wikipedia's entry for Melissa Gilbert, now recovering from drug and alcohol dependency, married to her third husband, actor Timothy Busfield, and living in Howell, Michigan.
Just to relieve the head scratching, check Wikipedia's entry for Melissa Gilbert, now recovering from drug and alcohol dependency, married to her third husband, actor Timothy Busfield, and living in Howell, Michigan.
1
Ok, what is her platform? This is the first I have heard of her running, but where is her platform (besides the Paycheck Fairness act)?
In Gilbert's defense, these are not great questions, but I don't see a lot of grit here to want to talk about issues.
In Gilbert's defense, these are not great questions, but I don't see a lot of grit here to want to talk about issues.
6
And like Reagan, she sold the Screen Actors Guild down the river for her own gain. She's already done enough damage to the American worker.
It would have been informative if the author had asked Ms. Gilbert about her almost half a million dollar tax lien.
Someone who can't pay her taxes should not be running for office. Especially someone as privileged as Ms. Gilbert.
Someone who can't pay her taxes should not be running for office. Especially someone as privileged as Ms. Gilbert.
3
Not true, JoAnne. A lot of people are lousy with their own money, but can balance a business or a state budget.
Cox gets lots of guff from the commenters, but her snark allowed Gilbert to showcase her skill at parrying unsympathetic questions. This interview makes me think that Gilbert may have the chops to be an effective politician.
5
I had to do a search of this page to find out if she's running as a Republican or Democrat. Isn't that relevant? Why wasn't it mentioned in the interview?
10
"So, what is Hollywood the Washington for?"
What does that even mean?
What does that even mean?
7
“Washington is Hollywood for ugly people” is an expression that mocks politicians who think what they do is glamorous, even though they are decidedly not. "What is Hollywood the Washington for?" reverses the mockery by asking what Hollywood-types deludedly think they have in common with Washington.
I must salute you: Turgid is the greatest aptronym ever.
I must salute you: Turgid is the greatest aptronym ever.
1
The question I wondered about and was surprised that it wasn't asked is why Michigan? Why didn't she run for office in CA? When did she move to MI? What's her connection to MI? Sheesh.
She lives in Michigan.
1
I wish Miss Gilbert the best in her run for political office. One warning though: the attack ads will be fast and furious. Be prepared for them, and have some very thick skin.
Good luck, you'll need it.
Good luck, you'll need it.
1
I'm SO glad DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz is recruiting such capable and attractive candidates as Ms. Gilbert.
She may be very smart...maybe...but just what about her makes her the ideal DNC pick for this seat? As far as I can tell, she has virtually NO skills for Congress.
She may be very smart...maybe...but just what about her makes her the ideal DNC pick for this seat? As far as I can tell, she has virtually NO skills for Congress.
2
I was an executive on a picture she did that required pluck. She was a professional. In my world that meant she worked long hours with little complaint. Yes, often gifted children have trouble shaking their unreal childhood. Often, those who do, and wish to accomplish something in the political, marketing, charitable fields and such, are easy targets. So many people get by on a name. Like Kennedy, or God help us that Bush whose muck we are mired in with little help from Obama's unskilled international hand. So many of these comments are the stuff of schadenfreude. Ms. Gilbert, if the tax issue is true let's hear about it. And, given the autocratic rule of judges in that State, the poisoning of its waters, and the glory of its natural resources, perhaps a non-cigar smoking, golf playing, politician would be a refreshing change.
2
Thank you Ms. Gilbert for your no-nonsense answer to the "faith in recovery question". It seems to me that addicts often jump from one dependency to another (God & religion). Your response offers another option, one that grounds a person & connects him/her to others, hopefully to what is going on around him/her, in the real world. A lot of good can come from that.
1
If this had been a male interviewee, would these have been the types of questions asked?
15
TY!
2
An interview between two people who don't seem to like each other very much. The photo of Ms. Gilbert says it all.
23
Gilbert currently owes $360,000 in back federal taxes and $112,000 in California state taxes. She should fit in nicely in Congress., she has my vote as she would surely bring a breath of fresh air in Congress.
14
Give her 2 terms and she will be worth $20MM
2
Not the sort of interview I come to expect from the NYT. Fluff at best.
38
So glad I was able to find out about her implants and removal. I'll just fish around the internet for the other important things such as what she's in recovery for and how she can run for a seat in Michigan when she lives in LA.
73
She lives in Michigan and has for some time.
Melissa has been a resident of MI for the past 4 years. She's a good friend of mine and you should vote for her.
2
Exacty!!!
to discern the vague discrepancy or likeness betwixt an actor and a politician is a game for fools. MG is merely another person within a dynamic system of vague and noncongruent laws, a morass of endless wheedling and jousting among people determined to effect some action that either helps or harms a group, self or some unknown motivation. using her 'history' as a child from some wilderness '-ogrophy" is as fruitful as reading the script writers mind, simply a lost and misguided effort. As a woman, she has as much capacity to be self determined, competent and perhaps better suited to moderate and represent for many, the unfairness oozing from our current political jungle. I hope he get elected, realizes what he has tangled with and survives the fray.
3
I prefer my candidates well--schooled on the issues and totally "natural"--IF you know what I mean ...(Misogynist wink-wink.)
Thanks for the heads-up NYT!
Thanks for the heads-up NYT!
4
This little interview on the prairie lacked gumption. Ma and Pa need to send Ana Marie to bed without supper.
23
Who was Ana Marie?? Her character was Laura...
Ana Marie is the Interviewer.
2
Ana Marie Cox is the interviewer which is noted in the byline.
I read the Wilder Books as a child. I watched the show as a tween. I enjoyed them immensely. That Ms. Gilbert is running for any office is a wonder. That ANYONE worth anything runs for office is a wonder. She comes across as authentic. Something I can't say for those currently running for POTUS on the grand stage. I hope she stays the course and wins. America needs more politicians representing the unheard and downtrodden. I wish her nothing but the best!
18
When I lived in MI, candidates for Congress belonged to one of our two dominant political parties, REpublicans and Dems. Did I miss the line in Ms. Cox's interview in which she asked Ms. Gilbert her party affiliation?
As others have noted, this does not read like political reporting and it is kinda condescending towards Ms. Gilbert.
And I want to know how she landed in Michigan!
As others have noted, this does not read like political reporting and it is kinda condescending towards Ms. Gilbert.
And I want to know how she landed in Michigan!
58
Yes, you missed it: "Gilbert is the Democratic candidate for Michigan’s Eighth Congressional District." In the sidebar.
She lives in the Brighton, Michigan area and has for some time. And she likes it here.
The side bar says she is the Democratic candidate or Michigan's Eighth Congressional District.
Ana Maria Cox is Dowd light. Just as unenlightening as Maureen about the issues, but without the snark.
58
In addition to the incongruous questions and non-questions asked by Ms. Cox, Ms. Gilbert’s occupation is flippantly listed as “Aspiring politician.” I have met some people who were aspiring to become politicians, but it was not a career or occupation ─ perhaps a preoccupation at most. It is presently her primary focus, as she stated. Nevertheless, I thought Ms. Gilbert’s responses were certainly those from someone with grit, integrity, and gumption. If she is elected, Michigan’s 8th will certainly have a representative who knows that hard work in service to her community will accomplish more than waving a magic wand.
48
Is this an interview for People magazine? Sheesh, aside from some short background about transitioning from the acting role to that of politician, it strikes me that Ms. Cox engaged in an enormous waste of Ms. Gilbert's (and now my) time. The media continuously harps on how politicians do not focus on the issues that are important to running the country and helping to improve the lives of Americans. With cotton candy questions like these ("favorite things about country living".... really?), are we surprised!?
125
I'd like to know more about Melissa Gilbert's positions on the issues. I do glean, from reading about her as a child, that she's keen, intelligent, and a natural leader. People who were interviewed about the Little House on the Prairie set all recalled a young girl who was warm and charismatic and made visitors feel welcome. It doesn't surprise me that she ultimately decided to run for office. I wish the interviewer had asked more about what Gilbert would do if elected.
60
I look to the NYT to provide relevant journalism that is both informed and informing. This interview was neither of those things. If the interviewer's goal was to highlight anything about Ms. Gilbert that would be relevant to voters in Michigan or informative to people elsewhere, she completely missed the mark. The questions presented in this condensed and edited interview were demeaning and have more to say about the interviewer than the one being interviewed. I wonder if there were more substantive and relevant questions asked and answered in the longer interview; and if so, why they were not used in this piece.
132
What complete inanity. I agree with everyone here, that this "interview" was a tremendous waste of opportunity. As someone who grew up with and loved Melissa Gilbert, I would've appreciated hearing about her political views and aspirations for Michigan. Perhaps down the line, we can have a grownup redo a real interview. Good lord.
163
If Ms. Gilbert wins, she'll get her childhood wish in part: it'll be like doing surgery but without anesthetic.
The questions asked were pretty fluffy -- could we get a more serious piece about her?
The questions asked were pretty fluffy -- could we get a more serious piece about her?
37
What about Ann Richards, former governor of Texas?
8
I believe Ann Richards was a teacher before she entered politics. There is a woman of the same name who was an actress, but it's a different person.
2
Why on earth did some editor bother to run this article?
84
What is she in recovery for? Don't we get to know?
23
Too much plastic surgery.
2
I don't think that's our business.
5
Tax avoidance?
1
The interview was terrible, as all the other people commenting pointed out: the questions had nothing to do with her candidacy, her platform, why she actually decided to run for office, not even the party that Ms. Gilbert represents.
What I really don't understand, though, is why the editors chose to actually print this empty piece of nonsense. Their decision goes to the heart of what the magazine, and the NY Times, thinks its role is. Perhaps more importantly, does this decision reflect its view of its readership and the subjects in which we are interested?
One of the first things I learned in writing, way back in junior high school composition, was "Don't write down to your readers". Maybe the Times' editors think that they can no longer adhere to that rule of thumb, and that their readers are ignorant at the least, and stupid at the worst. Either way, this interview was certainly not up to the standards that the Times famously promulgates.
In an era of increased costs, when even the size of the paper, not to mention the number of articles in the magazine, was reduced to cut costs, why would the Times waste print space on this?! I'm more than disgusted -- I'm insulted.
Perhaps the famous motto of the Times should be changed. Is this All the News That's Fit to Print?
What I really don't understand, though, is why the editors chose to actually print this empty piece of nonsense. Their decision goes to the heart of what the magazine, and the NY Times, thinks its role is. Perhaps more importantly, does this decision reflect its view of its readership and the subjects in which we are interested?
One of the first things I learned in writing, way back in junior high school composition, was "Don't write down to your readers". Maybe the Times' editors think that they can no longer adhere to that rule of thumb, and that their readers are ignorant at the least, and stupid at the worst. Either way, this interview was certainly not up to the standards that the Times famously promulgates.
In an era of increased costs, when even the size of the paper, not to mention the number of articles in the magazine, was reduced to cut costs, why would the Times waste print space on this?! I'm more than disgusted -- I'm insulted.
Perhaps the famous motto of the Times should be changed. Is this All the News That's Fit to Print?
130
I read this twice and did not see one question about where she stands on any issue that I care about. Ms. Gilbert did manage a shout-out to the paycheck fairness act but that was not an answer to a question about an issue but about wish fulfillment.
37
This interview goes a long way to explain why we continue to have a lack of women candidates in politics. I am impressed with Ms. Gilbert's answers to asinine questions.
106
I very rarely attempt to comment on NY Times stories but I just have to say, because I think it's important for the editors to be aware of what readers think - this is the single worst interview I've ever seen in the newspaper...and that's really saying something. Truly ill-informed and obnoxious questions, from first to last. How did this find it's way into "print?" Awful.
213
Melissa Gilbert sounds like her feet are firmly planted with a refreshing transparency and a pinch of spirituality. I would vote for her in a New York minute.
13
To my fellow commenters complaining about this interview: This is the style of interview that Ana Marie Cox does, and apparently the style of interview that the Magazine's editors want.
I guess they both imagine they are capturing some insights about the interviewees that would not be gleaned from an interview focused on what they believe and where they would take the country.
FWIW, I think a more deft and agile interviewer (who cared more about substance) could do both.
I guess they both imagine they are capturing some insights about the interviewees that would not be gleaned from an interview focused on what they believe and where they would take the country.
FWIW, I think a more deft and agile interviewer (who cared more about substance) could do both.
69
Indeed, Terri Gross (from NPR) is a good example of an agile interviewer, who asks unexpected questions that get her subjects to interesting places.
33
What a crummy set of questions!
So the NYT is going for cheezy, sleazy, too, where the interviewer knows the answer and the foibles of the person questioned.
Cheap! And disturbing.
So the NYT is going for cheezy, sleazy, too, where the interviewer knows the answer and the foibles of the person questioned.
Cheap! And disturbing.
48
I live in the Michigan Eighth district and I will vote for Ms. Gilbert, but I wish the interviewer had asked more than ONE policy question. We voters know zero about whether Gilbert will support the practical policies of Hillary Clinton, for instance. And what are her plans for addressing the claim of the IRS that she owes over 300 K to the federal treasury?
31
So she got the nomination despite being a tax scofflaw? Weren't there any Democrats that were paying their taxes available?
Someone please tell me why the NYT keeps using Ms Cox. This is the reporter that asked Bernie Sanders about his hair with all of the issues on the table in this election. Ms Cox seems trapped in the memes of Washinton which does not enlighten, inform or challenge the reader or the interviewee.
We are still involved in both Iraq and Afghanistan almost 8 years after the election of a President who promised to get us out of both. 8!years after the financial crisis Main Street is still suffering on the heartland and not one Bankster has been punished. Anthropogenic Climate Change threatens every being and every corner of the planet and we are still as a nation building outsized houses and huge gas guzzling SUVs. A generation is struggling financially under a massive debt load from higher education that threatens their future and is a drag on the economy. Unemployment and underemployment is at crisis levels among young adults- especially in communities of color. With all of this and more not a single policy question?
I do not care if she believes in god, a generic higher power or the Stay-Puft Marshmellow Man as long as she keeps her beliefs apart from public policy. And why not the most important question: What do you hope to accomplish?
We are still involved in both Iraq and Afghanistan almost 8 years after the election of a President who promised to get us out of both. 8!years after the financial crisis Main Street is still suffering on the heartland and not one Bankster has been punished. Anthropogenic Climate Change threatens every being and every corner of the planet and we are still as a nation building outsized houses and huge gas guzzling SUVs. A generation is struggling financially under a massive debt load from higher education that threatens their future and is a drag on the economy. Unemployment and underemployment is at crisis levels among young adults- especially in communities of color. With all of this and more not a single policy question?
I do not care if she believes in god, a generic higher power or the Stay-Puft Marshmellow Man as long as she keeps her beliefs apart from public policy. And why not the most important question: What do you hope to accomplish?
90
This interview of Ms. Gilbert is unbecoming of the New York Times. I knew nothing of her political aspirations before I read it and I learned nothing about them after reading the interview. The snide questions put to Ms. Gilbert are insulting to the readers.
96
Wow, I hate to sound crItical because Ms. Cox will no doubt be reading the comments, but at the end of the article I know nothing about Gilberts political views or goals.
And as far as the candidate, she answered the questions as if she was speaking to a spouses lawyer. Not quite confrontational, but no warmth or openness at all.
After reading the article I know no more about Gilbert and her platform then when I started the article.
And as far as the candidate, she answered the questions as if she was speaking to a spouses lawyer. Not quite confrontational, but no warmth or openness at all.
After reading the article I know no more about Gilbert and her platform then when I started the article.
22
Ana Marie Cox's job is apparently to act snarky and think it's Tina-Browny. January 6, to Debbie Wasserman-Schultz: "What do you think is the absolute nastiest thing you could say about Trump and get away with?"
26
Ms. Cox I think you owe Melissa Gilbert a redo.
32
What's with the repetition of "entertainer," Ms. Cox? Ms. Gilbert made a living as an actor and served as president of the Screen Actors Guild. She is intelligent, self-aware and someone that I would vote for. I like that she told you where to get off.
43
If Melissa's home town is Los Angeles, how is she able to run for congress in MIchigan?
5
Umm, you do know that people can move to other places, right?
1
The same way that Hilary was able to represent NY - she moved there.
1
Problem is, that wasn't made clear at all. There was nothing in the interview about how and when and why she ceased to be a resident of LA- if she did - And is a resident of some not identified town in Michigan.
What an insulting interview! At least Ms. GIlbert had the class to be respectful even when asked ridiculous, mean-spirited questions. Why did NYTimes allow this?
34
Ms Cox this interview told us absolutely nothing about Melissa Gilbert's views on politics. Shame on you and your boss who allowed this shallow interview. Are these the only questions you could of asked her. Really?
27
I am a lifelong Democrat and from a state neighboring Michigan. What does Gilbert know about industrial Michigan? As others have stated here, the interviewer asked poor questions. But the bold Ms. Gilbert should have stepped up and spoken on the issues.
Gilbert currently owes $360,000 in back federal taxes and $112,000 in California state taxes. Gilbert has stated the tax debt is an outgrowth of a stalled acting career, the economy, and divorce. She has negotiated a repayment plan with the IRS.
Why should voters trust her if she cannot manage her personal life better?
Dick York of "Bewitched" fame went to Michigan to die quietly. I respected that.
Gilbert currently owes $360,000 in back federal taxes and $112,000 in California state taxes. Gilbert has stated the tax debt is an outgrowth of a stalled acting career, the economy, and divorce. She has negotiated a repayment plan with the IRS.
Why should voters trust her if she cannot manage her personal life better?
Dick York of "Bewitched" fame went to Michigan to die quietly. I respected that.
6
Helen Gahagan (Douglas) could be your role model, Melissa. Good luck.
4
I couldn't believe Ms. Gilbert didn't know about that actress turned congresswoman. As she was an early victim of Richard Nixon's mud slinging, she isn't exactly an unknown person.
1
"Are there any other entertainers-turned-politicians that you look at and see as role models? Because I am a woman doing this, I don’t know that there is anyone else out there like me."
What about Shirley Temple Black? Very competent ambassador, oh, but she's was a Republican, so I guess not worth mentioning her on these pages....
What about Shirley Temple Black? Very competent ambassador, oh, but she's was a Republican, so I guess not worth mentioning her on these pages....
21
Or it was such a long time ago that Ms.Gilbert just didn't remember her.
Plus she was only tangentially in politics. She was an ambassador, but she never ran for office that I can recall.
Plus she was only tangentially in politics. She was an ambassador, but she never ran for office that I can recall.
2
Shirley Temple Black was a failed politician. The only time she ran for office in the late 60s she lost.
4
I'd add Sheila James Kuehl to the list as well.
4
Are you kidding with this? A question like "Washington is Hollywood for ugly people"? Really?
There is nothing here on Ms. Gilbert's platform except the Magic Wand remark.
I didn't realize I was paying for a daily People Magazine subscription.
There is nothing here on Ms. Gilbert's platform except the Magic Wand remark.
I didn't realize I was paying for a daily People Magazine subscription.
139
There's a lot of questions I would love to have asked Melissa Gilbert about her candidacy: which issues inspired her to go into public service, how she plans to serve the constituents of Michigan's Eighth District, what she thinks of Michigan's governor and the crisis in Flint, perhaps some serious commentary on the presidential election. Instead we hear about breast augmentation, addiction recovery, and the fantasies she had as a little girl - as if they're more important than her real-life goals as an adult. The whole line of questioning seemed designed to make the decision to go into politics seem like another step on the celebrity ladder instead of a serious endeavor. Better to have asked her serious questions and let the reader decide on her worthiness based on her answers; as it is, this piece tells us more about Ms. Cox's priorities than it does about Ms. Gilbert's.
222
I wonder if Ms. Cox asks her male interviewees if they've had cosmetic surgery? And, why not ask Ms. Gilbert about her rhinoplasty, while she was on that topic?
Clearly, the intent of this interview was to undermine the credentials of the, now adult, child star who once lived on the prairie.
Clearly, the intent of this interview was to undermine the credentials of the, now adult, child star who once lived on the prairie.
112
What a waste of a chance to get to know Ms. Gilbert's views on her district and plans for her constituents. That interviewer should be ashamed of herself asking the questions she did. Fair play to Ms. Gilbert for keeping her dignity while being asked such demeaning questions.
168
Wow. I thought we were sick of Trump talking about the size of his penis, and the reporter chooses to ask a politician about her breast augmentation? I thought an interview about someone running for Congress would ask more questions about that person's political stance. Is this a joke NYT? Shame on you.
195
I knew nothing of Ms. Gilbert's political aspirations before reading this interview. I still know nothing of Ms. Gilbert's political aspirations. This interview was a complete waste of my time. I'll keep that in mind the next time I see Ms. Cox's by-line.
184
I agree - not much there of substance. In fairness to the author, though, one could argue that it is a magazine piece, and not something from Section A.
5
Good answers to stupid questions! Best of luck to you , Melissa. I think
you'll do a great job!
you'll do a great job!
223
Ms Cox sounds more like the anti-feminist Maureen Dowd than an impartial interviewer. I found the questions presented to Ms. Gilbert to be highly aggressive, baiting, condescending, and in very poor taste.
All the best to Ms Gilbert.
All the best to Ms Gilbert.
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No, No, No! (to quote another lady in politics) The interviewer played devil's advocate and Ms. Gilbert shined brightly as a result. There were no personal confrontations of any kind, just salty questions.
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I didn't know much about Ms. Gilbert before I read this interview. Unfortunately, it is clear the interview was intended to belittle Ms. Gilbert and not do much else. Did we really need to talk about breast implants, especially with so few questions available?
On second thought, one thing came through the interview for me. Ms. Gilbert has class and dignity far in excess of her interrogator.
On second thought, one thing came through the interview for me. Ms. Gilbert has class and dignity far in excess of her interrogator.
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I agree that questions about breast implants can be sexist. But, the question in this case was not about breast augmentation, it was about privacy/candidness in the context of being a politician. Breast augmentation was the issue that Ms. Gilbert shared publicly, and so it's fair game.
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Ben, I agree. I'm not impressed with the interviewer. We need more women running for office. As a first step, treat women with respect.
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Ms. Gilbert wrote a blog about her breast implants, but that should be off limits for a journalist? Or unworthy of conversation? If you're blogging about something yourself, you have opened your own Pandora's box.
Considering how poorly she's run her finances (she's said to be broke) one hardly sees why she would be qualified to run for office anywhere.
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How would you know about her personal finances? A gossip rag?
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May we assume you were never a supporter of Marco Rubio?
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"she's said"
Without a link, it's just another smear from another fraidy cat.
IRS, however, does maintain that Gilbert owes it $360,000.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2015/06/12/melissa-gilbert-tax...
See how easy that was? Don't cower like a frightened kitten behind that passive voice. Give real information. I dare you.
Without a link, it's just another smear from another fraidy cat.
IRS, however, does maintain that Gilbert owes it $360,000.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2015/06/12/melissa-gilbert-tax...
See how easy that was? Don't cower like a frightened kitten behind that passive voice. Give real information. I dare you.
5
Ana Marie Cox's interview with Melissa Gilbert struck me as being hostile? Have we really come to a point where a candidate's having cosmetic surgery is an issue the elector needs to consider? I have no idea what of party Ms Gilbert belongs, but, should she lose, I think she should enter the diplomacy field. She handled this "interview" beautifully.
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I agree with your comment, Rebecca. She is lovely, elegant and dignified. And, she should have told AMC where to stick it. And, she should dump the boots.
1
Are you KIDDING me with that question about Ms. Gilbert's breasts??
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It's Ana Marie Cox. That's been her shtick - to vulgar things up - ever since she promoted the so-called Washingtonienne on her blog Wonkette.
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