Your show “Politically Incorrect” was cancelled after you called the 9/11 terrorists braver than the U. S. military. Has your comeback vindicated you? You know, the people who watched “Politically Incorrect” weren’t upset by what I said. It was outside. It was a rather benign statement, but I think it was because of how quickly it was said (Sept. 17, 2001). Others have said similar things since and it hasn’t been so controversial. And the fact that six months later I had a show on HBO–I don’t think that would have happened if it was that bad.
Any insights on the presidential election? It’s different from any other election I’ve covered. Usually, there’s apathy, but I only see intensity. Say what you will about George W. Bush, he’s got people passionate. Either they really want to get him out of office or really want to keep him in. That’s why both candidates are having a hard time finding swing voters.
Do you envision an all-time-high voter turnout? There will be more than in 2000. But I don’t think a lot of people believe this election is for real. We’ve seen how the administrative machine can go in. They did it in Florida last time. What’s to say they won’t go in and mess with votes again?
How do you sum up the Barack Obama phenomenon? I think it’s great that the Democratic Party is finally catching up with the Republicans. Say what you will about Republicans, but when they point out that they have Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell in high positions, there’s no denying that. I don’t think the Democrats have ever had such prominent people of color in such vital jobs.
A few years ago Us Magazine quoted you thusly: “I said [the f-word] in front of the president. . . He was shocked. He actually had never heard the word before and asked what it meant.” Is that quote true? See how things can get twisted? I was at the1995 White House correspondents dinner telling jokes. I got tongue-tied and messed up and under my breath said, “Oh, well, [expletive] it.” In ’96, Don Imus did the dinner and it was written that the year before I had done a profanity-laced stand-up. . . It was said under my breath, not to the president. And come on, who doesn’t know what the f-word means? Certainly Bill Clinton would.
