Linda McMahon: I Will Spend What It Takes
EmailFormer WWE executive Linda McMahon won her party’s Senate nomination last night, beating out Rep. Rob Simmons. The Connecticut Republican already spent $22 million of her own money on her Senate primary campaign, and didn’t rule out spending a lot more before November.
“I have said from the beginning, I would spend what it would take for the people of Connecticut to know who I am and what I stand for,” McMahon told me. “It’s money I’ve earned, it’s money I’m willing to invest into being a public servant for the people of Connecticut.”
McMahon said using her own money ensures her independence.
“I’m not going to take any special interest money or any PAC money…when I get to Washington I want to be the voice for the people of Connecticut and not owe special favors,” she said.
McMahon’s time heading the WWE became a campaign issue. Last night DSCC chair Sen. Robert Menendez released a statement saying “Connecticut Republicans today nominated a corporate CEO of WWE, who under her watch violence was peddled to kids, steroid abuse was rampant, yet she made her millions.”
McMahon wouldn’t admit if she had any regrets about her time at the WWE. She said Democrats can continue attacking it, she will focus on other issues.
“I’m going to continue to talk about what is important to the people of Connecticut which is jobs, getting people back to work, the economy. Because that is what is on their minds and that is what is proven to be effective throughout my campaign so far,” she said.
Watch my interview with McMahon here:
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Posted by: Downwithsocialism | August 11, 2010, 9:38 am 9:38 am
Why aren’t people taking her seriously? She obviously wants this and she’s not playing any games. Listen to her. She’s very intelligent. And I agree with her – that if her opponents only focus on the WWE, her opponents will lose
Posted by: Bob | August 11, 2010, 10:29 am 10:29 am
When making application for the Board of Education position Ms. McMahon stated that she had received her degree in education. It was revealed her degree was in French. I certainly believe she will spend whatever it takes to go as far as she can – I certainly also believe that she will accuse others of failures while advancing an agenda which does not address when government does something good for Linda, it’s social progress. When government does something she doesn’t like it’s socialism. Remove the script and the handlers and you have a businesswoman who made a fortune with a business founded on theatrical entertainment and lies – therein begins the inquiry about what she will do for the nation. We cannot return to the past – if she denounces George W. Bush and the neo-con agenda, she has to denounce her own candidacy. Her dilemma to solve – and absent my vote.
Posted by: Chap | August 11, 2010, 11:04 am 11:04 am
“…getting people back to work, the economy”……and how do you propose to do that?
Posted by: Chap | August 11, 2010, 11:06 am 11:06 am
As someone who labored in the vineyard of daily news coverage for 35 years, it was hard to mistake Stephanopolous’s opinion of Ms. McMahon during this morning’s interview. His body language alone (slouching with one arm draped behind his chair) was enough to convey disrespect without his interrupting her for pointed questions suggesting she had bought her victory against the Democrat. George was the loser in that interview. He looked more like Bill Clinton’s press secretary than an objective purveyor of the day’s news.
Posted by: Carol | August 11, 2010, 11:26 am 11:26 am
A person who spends their own money to get elected (after a successful private career) is more trustworthy than one who sells their soul to get elected. As can be seen by billionaires giving away at half of their wealth there is a point were you are not motivated by money! Those selling their souls are more likely to be motivated by power and wealth. (i.e., Ostentatious spending by the current first family or by tax cheating by Charlie Rangel)
Posted by: tillyerkt | August 11, 2010, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm
How much of Connecticut voters actually voted for her?? 42% of a small portion — how many Dem voters vs. GOP voters and I already don’t watch any of her ads no matter that remote is very quick in my hand — looks like the mudslinging will start in CT that’s what did Nancy Johnson in a few years back — Linda will not be the Senator from Connecticut.
Posted by: Paulet | August 11, 2010, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm
It seems that if you have the money you can buy your seat or job in congress or senate and even a mayor of New York. I think there is something wrong when someone has a lot of money to buy the job he/she wants. There should be a limit anyone can spend for any position in the senate, congress or mayoral positions. If this keeps up, only the rich will control us and that is something we do not need. Limits should be imposed and it would make it equal. No amount of money should be able to buy you your job as important as a senator/congressman/mayor.
Posted by: talmag | August 11, 2010, 4:35 pm 4:35 pm
I guess one could consider the “candidate” a hypocrite for her very odd acceptance remarks that “your support can’t be bought” . Exactly what did she spend $24m on then ? Did she buy it, of course she did-
Posted by: Bob | August 11, 2010, 4:48 pm 4:48 pm
Will this be the election that proves how wise the Court’s decision re:
unlimited corporate spending. Some say
this decision was horrendous.
This election will also show if big
money can beat good candidates. In FL
one shady millionaire is spending $$$
to get the GOP governorial nomination.
A seedy billionaire is throwing money
like water to become the Dem. Senate
nominee against a quality Congressman.
With Whitman and Fiona in CA, Scott and Green in FL and McMahon, will the
average person’s vote count anymore?
Nov. is a huge voting test for the USA
Posted by: alan kardoff | August 11, 2010, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm
as her son-in law would say
it is time to play the game
Posted by: deadwrestler | August 12, 2010, 5:10 am 5:10 am
George hardly acted in the manner of a journalist. Would much prefer to watch someone that is fair and doesn’t insert personal political opinions and beliefs in every comment, question, and body language possible.
Posted by: Mary | August 12, 2010, 7:21 am 7:21 am
Go get them,Linda. It is good to have a person who is not being paid for by a political action committee,or Union running for office. At least Linda you owe alliances to no one for your race. GM is contributing to Dimocrat campaigns again,and just spent 500,000,000.00 to expand a plant in Mexico where the jobs are.
Posted by: stormerF2 | August 12, 2010, 8:42 am 8:42 am
Let the liberal naysayers concentrate on the wrestling industry and Linda Mcmahons involvement with the growth of the WWE. We need to focus on creating jobs in CT, eliminating the spectre of bailouts and uncontrolled spending, and reducing taxes. Linda’s plan is one of reducing the size of government and serving the people of Connecticut, and allowing the small business owner an opportunity to succeed and create jobs. We have already seen the current elected administration’s failure to address these issues.
Posted by: Dee | August 12, 2010, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm