Daily Pennsylvanian Interview with Dan Savage

[gamerunknown]

WTB more direct democracy. I know it was used to hideous effect in California, but it'd pretty much mean every blue state accepting gay marriage and public healthcare.

[semolinapilchardishe]

Dan Savage is so incredibly sexy...

[sillykatz]

i want Dan Savage to be my best friend....and i'm bisexual!

[Merplov]

I completly agree with Dan Savage on santorum, his comments angered me a lot as well, santorum is a crazy mean idiot.

[jimtrueblue99]

Given the utter failure of the Democrats to do anything good for gays unless in dire straits (like the last-ditch repealing of DADT in a lame-duck session solely to give a tidbit to part of their electoral base), I find Dan Savage to be utterly mindless about politics in America. He knows nothing. He is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Democrat party, a pair of lips in the service of the Democrat central committee, a brain-dead Demo-bot who was programmed by a fool.

[EeyoreWhyBother]

Dan is a moron. People like him give the Democrats their unconditional vote and then expected the Democrats to actually listen to what they have to say. That's why the Dems move more and more to the right. The are looking for people that actually are willing to change their votes, for or against them.

[MusicJew158]

Holy shit he is harsh on Romanelli

[bethiscool08]

I couldn't help but giggle every time Dan said "santorum." Truly proof of success.

[Aicirt8]

Wow. Didn't realize that Savage felt that strongly about that race. Don't know much about that senator or that race, but I wonder how it turned out.

[starlight739]

awesome. just awesome.

[sharkyspoolhall]

save the world, dan savage.

like.

[TheStrong32]

I really love Dan Savage, and I agree with pretty much everything he said. However--I'm afraid some of his comments will play right into the hands of homophobes. Saying people should be beaten with sticks, dragged behind pickups and run over with trucks just feeds those assholes who spread the lies about how violent and abusive gays are. Outspokenness has its place, but I think it is possible to be circumspect without being pandering.

[KidOnTheNet]

i loved how some of his arguments included fucking and roadkill

[booley]

Somehow I got the impression that Mr. Savage does not like Mr. Romenelli.

While I agree with the pragmatic argument, it still sucks because the Dems know that Liberals have no where else to go.

We either hold our noses or choose the greater evil.

So why should they give anything more then lip service to their base?

[SketchyBack]

Amazing. And awesome. And true. And hilarious!! "He'll be too busy fucking himself" how do you fucking improve on that shit??

[sisko197]

He's right!

[JoeAverageSF]

The interviewer is an idiot.

[markvz]

Dan is right. You DO have to be pragmatic about your votes. This is not a perfect world. Third party candidates have all the chances of a hermit crab traversing a four lane highway.

[darkishphoenix]

mmm...i usually like dan savage but i think he's wrong on independent parties. People should vote based on their beliefs or not vote at all. The two party system will never stop if people believe it's futile to try, and the two party system is one that desperately needs to be stopped.

[GretchenDawntreader]

I can empathize and even agree that we would be a healthier nation with a more than 2 party system...heck the way the GOP is purging itself we might end up with a 1 party system.

Until a credible 3rd party can be elected, however, if you laudibly vote your heart you will probably cost the election for actually electable people with whom you largely agree. You might like Ron Paul, or Nader, but they can't win, so it just helps Kerry or whoever lose. So we got another 4 years of Bush. woot?

[anneOnymous1]

Actually, Bush (sadly) won 51% of the vote in 2004. Third parties didn't help get him elected, because the TOTAL of people who voted against Bush still came out to less than the number of votes Bush himself got.

[anneOnymous1]

Nice idea in theory, but we don't have the kind of political system that lends itself to the rise of third parties. It's been seen over and over that single-member plurality elections (ie, how congressmen are elected) leads to two party systems. When you have first-past-the-post elections, other parties get squeezed out.

The only places you see successful multi-party systems are countries with proportional representation. If we want third parties, we have to change our whole electoral structure.

[Kyller54]

yes dan is somewhat inspiring 2 me being a youth in the lbgt war and yeah he is hot

[markvz]

Sometimes my balls hang low. Sometimes they don't. I think it depends on the weather.

[bugboy3000]

Please tell me you listen to the Savage Love Podcast. It will make my day. Wakka wakka!

[bugboy3000]

Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka Wakka

[whyuahater3]

You're silly! You find Dan hot too huh? I think he's awesome and dreamy. His husband is one lucky lucky man.

[whyuahater3]

This guy is so cute! I am happy that he's one of our leaders!

[victor2cutube]

Dan tells it like it is..

[travelerchuk]

So let's get this straight... because one party sucks, we should put a party in power that is not fundamentally different in any way and thereby perpetuate a fucked up system, instead of trying to institute real reform? Sounds like a great way to get nothing done. Other than that, I love Dan Savage, he's witty and not afraid to tell it like it is here as always.

[gummybrain]

"not fundamentally different"? Give me a break. If you think there's no fundamental difference between the two major parties, you aren't paying attention. Ask a gay person, a woman who needs an abortion, or a family who needs social services if they think there's no fundamental difference.

[Trunksoul]

Progressives have very limited power at the moment. Having the green party on the ballot will only dilute their power and split it among two parties.

I'm sorry, but it's not the democrat's fault that they can't be as progressive as they want to be. The country is just too conservative and they just they don't stand a realistic chance of winning on a far-left platform.

I say this as a liberal, btw. The progressive movement needs to reach more people and consolidate itself. Not be split in half

[underneaththeveneer]

Dan Savage is so eloquent and funny.

[neveralmostthere]

what heterosexual minorities does santorum have a problem with?

[Ipvicus]

The interviewer here is obviously biased. Most of what's said here has been old news for years now, but what Savage says about the Green Party is right on.

Thank you Green Voters for 8 years of George Bush. Thank God there's no comparable Green campaign this year. Anybody who votes for a Green candidate isn't making a symbolic stand, they're flat out voting for fascism.

[fileboy2002]

Absurd. How about saving some of that anti-Green rage for the Democrats, who were unable to mount a credible challenge to Bush? As Lewis Black said, John Kerry's inability to trounce Bush was like a normal person losing the Special Olympics.

How @#$% "pragmatic" is it to let the Democrats know, in advance, they OWN your vote? The Dems are under zero pressure to please liberals, so they tack right instead. This anti-Green crap is the rage of weaklings and cowards.

[Ipvicus]

Greens just need to look at history and admit that they fucked up in two Presidential elections.

Was it really true that there was no difference between Al Gore and Bush, as Nader claimed? No, absolutely it was not true. Al Gore would have been the most "Green" president in American history. Was the "Greenest" major party candidate ever. Nader knew that, pushed a bullshit narrative about the sameness of Gore/Bush.

Whatever, America survived, but thanks again for 8 years of Bush Greenies.

[fileboy2002]

No, the Democrats fucked up two elections. While Gore has done commendable work for the environment as a private citizen, his record in office was mediocre at best. One of the first things Gore did upon being elected to the Tennessee legislature was support a bill that blew a huge hole in the Endangered Species Act. He helped exempt the snail dodger--a small fish--from protection so a dam could be constructed. This is the result of the "realism" Savage supports.

[Ipvicus]

I'm perfectly willing to admit Democrats have plenty of fuckups over the last 8 years. That doesn't make the Green party any less culpable.

Sorry, but get a grip dude. Much as I love the endangered species act... snail dodgers?

I'm sure glad we have the Green party to stand up and punish Al Gore for that vote so George Bush can start two wars, destroy the economy, kill energy independence, ignore climate change and be the worst president in history. 97K Green votes in Florida 5K in NH.

[fileboy2002]

The Green party "culpable?" They have never held the presidency; the Democrats have.

It under Clinton that Iraq was crushed by sanctions. The sanctions that killed about 1.5 million people, including some 500,000 children under five. It was under Clinton that the Glass-Steagel Act was repealed, setting the stage for our current economic meltdown. It was Clinton's anti-terrorism bill of 1995 began shredding the Constitution. Clinton ended "welfare as we know it."

Where is the choice?

[Ipvicus]

Cry me a river, there's no comparison between the U.S. backing VAST international agreement on sanctions in Iraq and Bush's unilateral warmongering.

Yes, you are culpable. Nader and other "Greens" let their candidacies be entirely funded by Republicans, and had their books published by the right wing establishment.

It is an utter tragedy that Ralph Nader's Green Party, a once great man leading a once great movement, have carried the bag of the right wing fascists in this country.

[fileboy2002]

That the US strong-armed the UN into backing sanctions only makes the Democrat's crimes that much worse. Bush acted unilaterally; Clinton starved people to death with the complicity of the whole developed world.

Your rant about Nader's run being part fo some right-wing conspiracy is nonesense. Liberals today are like little kids who reason, "if I don't fight back, maybe the bully won't beat me up as bad." Grow up.

[Ipvicus]

As I said earlier, Clinton made mistakes. That's something you're apparently not mature enough to admit about *your* party, even as Nader's actions have made it more and more obvious.

If you want to call telling the truth about Nader taking Republican money and support ranting that's fine. The fact is he *did* let them publish his book, and he did take millions of dollars.

Btw, liberals in the Democratic party just built the strongest organization since FDR in 2008. We fought back and won.

[fileboy2002]

By "the strongest ornagization since FDR" do you mean the Progressive Democrats of America? And what did you win, exactly? If by "winning" you mean the election of Obama, his cabinets picks--nearly all from the right-wing of the Democratic party--indicate he is seeking to please corporate America, not his liberal base. Your job ended the night he was elected. Your new job, as he panders to the right, is to explain how "at least he's better than Bush." Sigh.

[Ipvicus]

I suppose we will find out. When Obama does deliver I wonder if you'll have the integrity to praise him for it. Probably not though based on your comments about Clinton. No, so many Greenies can't acknowledge the good work Dems do because they depend on convincing people to ignore results and vote "what feels good" as Dan said.

Nevermind Clinton protecting record amounts of new public lands and so much other environmental progress. Nevermind Al Gore's work with superfund ect, Snail Darters!

[fileboy2002]

If Obama does a 180 and become the candidate you hope he is, I will gladly praise him. But his statements during the campaign as well as his apppointments suggest otherwise. You see, it is Democrats, not Greens, who do "what feels good." Every election, Dems convince themselves their man is a "stealth candidate," a progressive who runs to the center-right then shakes up Washington once elected. It never, never happens. I can think of only one stealth candidate. His name is Mikail Gorbachov.

[Ipvicus]

Again, you're so fixated on minutiae that political reality is sailing over your head. Even supposing that Bill Clinton was a "center-right" candidate that's still a move to the Left from 12 years of Reagan/Bush. Al Gore had always been known as Clinton's foot in the left-wing camp of the Democratic party. He never had the chance to abandon the left, he never got elected. Gore lost because the "Left" abandoned him and voted for the fool Nader who campaigned in swing states on a pack of lies.

[fileboy2002]

Clinton did not so much break with Reagan/Bush as consolidate their gains. Clinton was able to do this because, being a Democrat, he could count on liberal support no matter what he did. Had a Republican signed a bill to "end welfare as we know it" or put 100,000 cops on the street, liberals would have yelled bloody murder. But when Clinton did it, they went along. This is the prcie for lesser evilism.

[Ipvicus]

Ahaha, I'm sure George HW Bush just gave up his second term as part of the Master Plan eh?

God knows why you have a problem with people being lifted out of poverty or violent crime falling during Clinton's term (Those would be the goals of the two policies you mentioned).

Nope, you're so caught up in the myth of third party oppression you won't even admit that Clinton made leftward progress.  Get real man, progress requires compromise sometimes. Remember the 94 elections buddy?

[fileboy2002]

Whatever differences existed between the George H.W. Bush and Clinton administrations, the continuities were much, much greater. By adopting so many Republican positions as his own--e.g. welfare reform, denial of due prcoess of law, neoliberal economics, bombing as "foreign policy"--Clinton legitimized these stances for an entire generation of liberals. Very sad.

[Ipvicus]

The Green Party is only going to make progress if they abandon the ridiculously self righteous tools like you and Nader. If you hadn't noticed, they *did* drop Nader already, and are better for it. I'm all for a positive contribution to the dialogue, but you're more interested in throwing stones than building bridges.

That's why Clinton was a great President in the face of an opposition Congress. Nader would never have accomplished anything during the "Contract With America" had he been Pres.

[borrofburi]

He lost a bit of my respect there. I understand that the left is better for gays, but I think it's narrow and short sighted to think that the democrats are that much better than the republicans for our country as a whole.

[scorpdan]

I really like Savage, which is why it's so disappointing that he lies about his age. On his podcast (episode 88) he swears that Wikipedia is wrong when it says he is 43. He is adamant about being 34, and that he was not born in 1964, but 1976. Unless the year is 2010, somebody is lying. Also, in a 11-22-05 interview with NPR (check it out) he says he is 40! Damn Dan! I'm 43, come on in, the water is fine.

[duckgirlie]

The 34/43 thing is a joke. He also repeatedly mentions how long he's been with his boyfriend, and how old his boyfriend is, making it obvious he's not actually 34. It's not a concentrated attempt to trick people.

[Chulva]

Smart, sexy and says what he thinks. Why can't we have more gay men like him?

[Jaihdev]

I was shocked when he said "defeat the bastard," not that it's not true but wow... He's amazing, smart, opinionated-- oh it's all good. He's amazingly attractive- inside and out. What a strong soul and heart too, huh? I hope the young gays know something about him- he's doing a lot for us.

[mattschlo]

HAHA i love this guy

[amsoho75gr]

dan is so smart he make me wish i was gay

[buffedtrainer]

Dan Savage is probably one of the most brilliant commentator/author's in this country...plus the big bonus is he's HOT!!! Dude,,, SAVAGE IS THE BOMB!

[double5son10]

Boy Dan how's that brave Dem Congress workin' out for ya. Great work stopping the fucking war. Dan you're an asshole.

[QuixoticOtaku]

C'mon, Dan, tell us what you really feel.

[ruleraddison]

Dan is so damn smart.

[hiltonoo]

Fuck Dan I love you.from Atlantic Canada

[livardo]

Savage rocks!

[PirateSammy]

dan is so hilarious. <3

[BayerLexan]

Woot, now saying " Please wipe up that santorium before it dripps on the floor" makes sense. Santorium- frothy mixture of fecal matter and anal lube.

[JustPlaneNuts]

I agree with the greens on practically everything. But they are not doing progressives any good. If they really care about this country they should join the Democratic Party.

[holdingcompany]

dan is a savage

[netDSgirl]

lol thats why so many people love him; he tells it like it is, doesnt censor himself or sugar coat his answers. its raw and honest and what people need to hear. he's a genuis.

[brianfair]

Goddamned hilarious!

[andrewGonzilla69]

Dan Savage my hero.

[therecordkeeper]

This whole railing on the Green Party is absurd. On the issues most important top Al Gore himself (environmental protection, corporate responsibility...) Ralph Nader is much more solid and has actual history of fighting for them. Why not say that Gore stole it from Nader? If the Democrats are preaching self-lessness and unity, why not sacrifice themselves? On the Congressional elections, it's even more absurd, since a green party congressman will vote with the Democrats on key issues.

[neothomist1275]

The Greens, like all NGO's, are a Rockefeller creation.

[therecordkeeper]

You know, the Red Cross is an NGO, Doctors Without Borders is an NGO... Are they also part of some sinister plot to take down the valiant Democratic Party?.. The Green PARTY is a political entity that has a more open base... Which prevents it from relying on pork to get its way. The two party system is suffocating the US and the only alternative at this point is a third way.

[recordingautist]

Sorry, you're wrong. The environment has been Gore's pet issue as much as consumer safety has been Nader's. Yeah, it was frustrating that he didn't talk about those issues much during the 2000 election, but he has a long history of heralding environmental causes.

[recordingautist]

Also, I agree the two party system is delinquent, but that's because we have a sudden-death election scenario. If you really want 3rd parties at the table, you should put pressure on state and federal government to hold runoff elections like they have in Louisiana.

Until we have runoff elections (or dismantle the entire system and replace it with a parliament, as if that were likely), anyone who votes for a third party is wasting their energy.

[kjenser]

"if the Democrats have no power in DC because a bunch of idiot lefties are voting their hearts...then we deserve the end of our democracy"--wow, I kind of like(d) Dan Savage, but that's a really obnoxious, nihilistic, and generally uninformed statement. Not to mention the fact that joking about dragging someone to death (hello, kkk reference?) behind a truck is just tacky.

[pickypocky123]

Dan Savage is a cool dude.

[0charles0]

Great interview, unfortunately with a first class jackass. To critique the short term strategy of greens when he can't imagine past next year shows that his "idiot" lable fits no one better than himself.

If you settle for what they give you you deserve what you get. It is short sighted defenders of the status quo that put the dlc and the blue dogs in power.

[marlowe2]

Short sighted? The Greens handed the election to Bush in 2000. Good job, asshole.

[0charles0]

Actually, it was the supreme court that handed bush the 2000 election. But looking to 2000 is not short sighted, it is hind-sighted (if you learn something from it).

Focusing on the 2008 election is short sighted. Playing for 2020 is considered medium range (this is where karl rove's head is). Long range vision involves the next generation, or better, the seventh generation.

[0charles0]

The green party (gp[dot]org) might not take the white house in '008 but we will continue to grow (as we have every year since before 2000). Of course, dem's could take some wind out of our sails by cutting funds for the wars (iraq, afghanistan, iran, columbia). But i won't worry about that, as the dem's in power are clearly about empire, and not about peace nor democracy (here or abroad). Try switch2green[dot]org

[recordingautist]

If you want to talk about long term: in the current system, the best the greens can hope to do is replace the democrats as the sole left wing party. If you want more diversity of representation, then support the creation of runoff elections. Until that happens, third parties will only take away votes from the party they're most idealogically close to.

[86am]

We need a parliamentary system and proportional representation.

[BeatBuddy]

This guy has a mouth like the Kid from Brooklyn.

[huerequeque1]

"this kid has amouth like a kid from brooklyn"

thats because his entire angle is developed by a defensive ego.

[BeatBuddy]

Santorum proves an old adage. Give a man enough rope and he'll hang himself. Santorum lynched himself through freedom of speech.

[darylfn]

Santorum is toast -- congratulations Dan!

[alulu8]

There's a difference between voting your heart and voting for an idiot. Strategy is key, but you can include your heart, as Savage was doing, by voting for people who will ultimately gain greater power for the Democratic party.

[cholling]

How Savage goes about making voting decisions is his own concern. He has no right criticizing others for how they vote, as it's really none of his damn business. If someone ever criticized me in thsi way, I'd tell them to fuck right off! It's good enough that people are getting out there and doing their part regardless of who they vote for. Naturally, people who are voting with their heart are also voting with their mind, meaning they're following their conscience.

[mikieprash2]

I agree that one's voting decision is of personal choice, the substance of his arguement, before his passion eroded it, was that one should be pragmatic. The USA has an idiotic form of democracy. We need a parliamentary system, not this current crap. In our system, winner takes all, which leads to the polarization of the parties. In most parliamentary democracy, the 'winner' of the election has to negotiate with those they beat to create a cabinet that is a composite of the other parties.

[mikieprash2]

the previous remark, though useful for all, was specifically meant as a response to "cholling's" comment. Danka Shon

[cholling]

Savage certainly became passionate when the subject turned to the Green Party, but I don't agree with his view that voting for them is an unwise vote (for there is no such thing). If someone votes for the Green Party, then they're supporting a candidate whose views most appeal to them. I think it's unfair and going against the spirit of democracy for Savage to slam anyone that doesn't vote GOP or Democratic.

[tojikiston]

Have you ever thought that, in 2000 Gore lost because of Nader, we got W for 8 years, EIGHT YEARS because of "green party", which "drained votes" from real democracy, so you should think twice before saying anything about being fair, ok.

[cholling]

I don't need to "think twice". My reasoning's just fine the way it is, thank you very much. All childish temper tantrums aside, is it fair to only have two parties represent a country of 300M people? Your sort of thinking is what stifles real democracy where people have more than two ways of voting. Democrats are Bush-lites and PERHAPS would have fared slightly better in the White House had Gore won. Big deal.

[tojikiston]

ok, let's just look back as if Gore won: 1-there Wouldn't be any 9/11 (I refuse to beleive some caveman sitting in rubbles of Afghanistan could pull it off); 2-there Wouldn't be any Iraq mess (1+2 we already saved about half a million lives); 3-there Wouldn't be any Nuclear N Korea...

[tojikiston]

I could go on & on & on, but let's leave this discussion until better times, we have 2 choices now, so we need to choose lesser of evil, then when life get's back to normal (I hope it will) we will talk about need of a third, fourth, fifth... partys, ok buddy

[tojikiston]

Nader/Romanelli by being in liberal/progressive side doing Shitty job, if they "draining votes" from other progressives. Instead of "alliance untill shitstorm is over" they trying their best to ruin all progressive candidate's chances, thanks to them "we deserve whatever we got and will get from this administration", there's 2 more years to go buddy!

[cholling]

You're a fool if you think the Democrats would ever take all that different an approach than the Bush regime. The more votes that can be taken away from those GOP and Democrat dinosaurs, so the better.

[tojikiston]

yes you Right, right now they're so lost that they trying to copy GOP almost in every way, it's just disgusting. But I see some really bright heads among them, so hopefully they'll pull the country out of this mess, but only if they Get the Chance and now is the time to Give'em a Chance

[alulu8]

I don't know much about the Penn. Green party, but he makes a clear point that Rominelli is a fool if he actually wanted to get Santorum out of the Senate. Yeah, Savage was very rude with personal remarks...don't know if all the Greens wage this kind of campaign or if it's just Rominelli, but intelligence must coexist with ideals.

[tojikiston]

Bright Head! funny as hell, if all the gays and straights were cool like him, there would be no problems in the world, yep thats right in The World!

bravo to Savage!!!

[Giorocks]

LOL, oh man, so insightful and hot.

[badbutt570]

interesting interview. Harsh words. But interesting. I wish I could give the Dems as much faith and credit as Savage does - and I'm a lifelong Dem. :-/

[cholling]

Harsh? That's Savage for you. He appears to not hold back any punches either in person or in writing. I suspect though that a lot of his biting comments are more tongue-in-cheek than sincere.

[Steelethewolf]

That is abhorrent. Dan Savage is obviously to better then Michael Savage. I have a lot of friends who read his articles that will really be bothered by this.

[richardgozinya]

Now this is some good stuff!

[MDFrenchman]

Ugh. Makes me ashamed to live in Seattle. You can tell the interviewers are loving him.

[chansenCO]

Dan Savage for President!

[galumpher]

Interesting what YouTube will & will not ban.