Linda McMahon Steps Down as WWE CEO, Announces Senate Run

[X]

STAMFORD, Conn. – World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., the sports entertainment company behind shows such as "Friday Night SmackDown," said Wednesday that Linda McMahon has resigned as its CEO to seek the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Connecticut Democrat Christopher Dodd.

McMahon's husband, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, will assume her duties as chief executive, the company said in a statement.

Linda McMahon, 60, formally announced her candidacy Wednesday morning. She said Washington is "out of control" and Dodd has "lost his way and our trust."

McMahon is up against three other Republicans — former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, state Sen. Sam Caligiuri and former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley.

Dodd plans to run for a sixth term next year.

Linda and Vince McMahon, a professional wrestler, announcer and promoter, co-founded WWE. Linda McMahon has served as CEO since May 1997 and was the company's president from May 1993 through June 2000. Vince McMahon has been chairman since 1980.

The Stamford, Conn.-based company produces live and televised wresting events and licenses and sells video games, toys and other retail products. The company's sales totaled $526.5 million in 2008.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090916/ap_on_el_se/us_wwe_ceo_senate_4

So, we all knew this was coming, but it's now official: Linda McMahon is running for the United States senate. To say this is a foolish move would be an understatement. I cannot believe she actually believes she has a chance to win a senate seat. Do they really think that WWE "going PG" is going to make a difference here? It'll take any opponent of Linda's about five seconds to find an embarrassing WWE clip from her tenure as CEO.

So, thoughts everyone? Do you think Linda stands a chance?

 

[Slyfox696]

So, we all knew this was coming, but it's now official: Linda McMahon is running for the United States senate. To say this is a foolish move would be an understatement. I cannot believe she actually believes she has a chance to win a senate seat. Do they really think that WWE "going PG" is going to make a difference here? It'll take any opponent of Linda's about five seconds to find an embarrassing WWE clip from her tenure as CEO.

So, thoughts everyone? Do you think Linda stands a chance?

I fail to see how this would be any different than Arnold running in California, or Jesse Ventura in Minnesota. If they can both be elected, why can't Linda?

Will she win? I have no idea. Could she do any worse? I doubt it. Would it be kind of cool to see a wrestling businesswoman in Congress, I think so.

 

[Spaceman Spif]

Well fuck me runnin', damn if Sidious was right after all about Vince taking on the CEO role as well. I personally don't think it's a wise move for him as it'll be adding pressure and frustration he does not need. He has to give up something.

As for Linda good for her, she's definitely the level headed one out of the McMahon family and I think she could do very well in politics. However I agree with you X that yeah she probably won't have much of a chance at actually getting in. If she wants to jump into politics, she needs to start at a lower level I believe, then work her way up. People who have been doing this there whole lives, won't be likely to support someone, no matter if they will be good, since they come from a wrestling promotion and haven't been in any politically elected positions before.

So sadly seeing as how she wants to jump right into the Senate, that's gonna be her downfall. She should work her way up.

 

[X]

I fail to see how this would be any different than Arnold running in California, or Jesse Ventura in Minnesota. If they can both be elected, why can't Linda?

With Arnold, it's different because the general public is accepting of actors and Hollywood. Whereas they aren't when it comes to pro wrestling. Let's face it, pro wrestling is still ridiculed by the general public.

With Jesse, he never ran a wrestling promotion, let alone one as infamous as the WWE. Different situations.

Will she win? I have no idea. Could she do any worse? I doubt it. Would it be kind of cool to see a wrestling businesswoman in Congress, I think so.

I for one would absolutely hate to see Linda in congress. If her political ideals are anything like those of Vince's, then I have no interest in seeing another stubborn neo-conservative senator. We have enough of those, we don't need Linda McMahon.

 

[Slyfox696]

With Arnold, it's different because the general public is accepting of actors and Hollywood. Whereas they aren't when it comes to pro wrestling. Let's face it, pro wrestling is still ridiculed by the general public.

Perhaps, but with Arnold you also had a history of steroids, and probably other drugs, clearly on display, not to mention he was not an American born citizen, and had done roles that you wouldn't think Americans would want to portray America.

With Jesse, he never ran a wrestling promotion, let alone one as infamous as the WWE. Different situations.

No, he was just the flamboyant actor with the steroid body, who went out and insulted everyone and made a jerk out of himself FOR the WWF/E.

If there is a difference, it's that Linda has always portrayed herself as the calm and rational one, a classy businesswoman. I would think THAT would get more votes than what Ventura did. Obviously, she doesn't have the background of being a Navy Seal, but she did help run a billion dollar company.

I for one would absolutely hate to see Linda in congress. If her political ideals are anything like those of Vince's, then I have no interest in seeing another stubborn neo-conservative senator. We have enough of those, we don't need Linda McMahon.

In all honesty, at this point, does it really matter who gets put into political power in America? Sure, there are some small differences between the two parties, but at the end of the day, the majority of people who are in big time government are there for themselves, and not for the best interest of the country.

 

[X]

Perhaps, but with Arnold you also had a history of steroids, and probably other drugs, clearly on display, not to mention he was not an American born citizen, and had done roles that you wouldn't think Americans would want to portray America.

But Americans love Arnold. The general public loves Arnold. They don't love wrestling. Which is really my only point here. Alot of people are going to laugh off Linda McMahon's candidacy.

In all honesty, at this point, does it really matter who gets put into political power in America? Sure, there are some small differences between the two parties, but at the end of the day, the majority of people who are in big time government are there for themselves, and not for the best interest of the country.

It matters to me. I agree both parties are incredibly flawed in just about every way imaginable, but I'd still rather have a liberal in office than a neo-conservative who's going to give tax breaks to big corporations like her own. Not saying she'd do that, but it wouldn't be out of the question considering some of the things that Vince has said about that issue.

I really don't think she'll win. And quite frankly I think every one of us should be hoping she doesn't win, because it's only going to bring more crackdowns and restrictions on the WWE product. I for one don't want to be watching WWE PG for the next 6 years, do you?

 

[Slyfox696]

But Americans love Arnold. The general public loves Arnold. They don't love wrestling. Which is really my only point here. Alot of people are going to laugh off Linda McMahon's candidacy.

And they loved Jesse Ventura too?

I really don't think she'll win. And quite frankly I think every one of us should be hoping she doesn't win, because it's only going to bring more crackdowns and restrictions on the WWE product. I for one don't want to be watching WWE PG for the next 6 years, do you?

Who cares? Does swearing and beer drinking really change what happens in the ring?

For all the complaining people do about PG, I don't think it's that big of a deal. At the end of the day, good wrestlers are going to shine, and bad ones are not.

 

[PrinceCharming]

Background: She is a Republican going up against long serving Democratic Senator Chris Dodd, who is very unpopular for having obtained loans with preferential treatment and has basically protected rich investment banks like AIG at whatever cost to the taxpayer. She also has a very tough primary race against former Republican congressman Rob Simmons, who has done well in fundraising and previously represented a heavily Democratic district, an advantage in heavily Democratic Connecticut.

I don't know that I'd count her out, but her primary opponent has a lot to make against her: her previous financial support of Democrats and of course her loony husband and running a company that feature rampant drug abuse, a guy who pukes on people, an ass man, a porn star and a pimp.

 

[Pedro08]

Good for her. If she feels that she has something better to offer, then why shouldn't she run. She is a successful businesswomen in charge of a billion dollar company known worldwide. I'm sure she's done her research and polling and figures she has a shot. I doubt she would go into this blindly.

Make no mistake, she has a uphill battle. She's running in a democratic state as a Republican against a long standing senator in Chris Dodd. But she has somethings going for her. Dodd has low approval ratings and was accused of getting favorable mortgage deals for himself. Congress is spending money like crazy and she's running as a fiscal conservative. Connecticut although democratic, doesn't always vote that way. Look at how Joe Leiberman won as an independent after getting kicked out of the Democratic party.

I don't think being CEO of a wrestling company hurts her that much. I'm sure her opponents will attack her on that and probably bust out old footage from the attitude era, like bra and panty matches or Mae Young getting put through a table. She can counter on how she's helped grow the WWE into a worldwide multimedia corporation and knows how to get things done. Plus she's likable, and more often than not, that's enough to get people to listen to what you have to say. They may not agree and not vote for her, but I think she'll be given a chance to state her case.

 

[Ambiguous Turd]

Linda McMahon doesn't have a prayer in Hell of getting elected in Connecticut. Connecticut is a solid blue state and no Republican will stand a chance of getting in.

As far as Vince taking over as CEO, not much will really change there obviously. Things will continue being run as they are, except with Vince hopefully being much less involved in the Creative Department that he has been. Hopefully, this will force him to delegate more responsibilities to Stephanie, because everyone knows that as of right now, he is the true head and Lead Writer of the Creative Department. Which explains a lot about why things are the way they are right now. He's lost his touch.

So giving Vince some new responsibilities away from his perceived Comfort Zone in Creative, is probably for the best.

But as far as Linda ... not a chance of getting elected, regardless of who she would run against. Hell, she has to defeat any other Republican challengers first before actually going up against the Democrats in a General Election, which she isn't even guaranteed to win.

People who vote for her, just because they are wrestling fans, that have no real political views (something the McMahons are banking on) only do their country a great disservice. That kind of thing is a true embarrassment to this country and makes a mockery out of the election process.

I am a Center-Left Democrat and Linda McMahon simply does not represent my political ideologies ... has no experience in politics ... therefore regardless of who she is, I couldn't see myself voting for her.

She would be best served running for the House first, before running for the Senate.

 

[RockFan89]

It matters to me. I agree both parties are incredibly flawed in just about every way imaginable, but I'd still rather have a liberal in office than a neo-conservative who's going to give tax breaks to big corporations like her own.

Please don't bring politics into this forum because I really want to rip you for how misguided you are on the economy/fiscal policy and what true conservatism is, but I know this is not the place to do so.

Anyway, I'd give Linda a decent chance. Republicans would love to push an intelligent and strong business woman after having their blunders with Sarah Palin. However Chris Dodd is an established senator and even though he is unpopular, he will still be hard to knock off. Linda needs to appear as professional as possible and try to make sure the WWE removes any unauthorized clips of her in a WWE ring from the internet. The more money she is willing to spend the bigger impact she will have.

 

[DiscipleofWrestling]

My thoughts......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dntsig8RcAA


In other words, NO CHANCE IN HELL! Politics aside, what are her qualifications? She claims 30 years as a CEO of a company? Really, her OWN company?

I could see a run for the House, but this.....

Again, politics aside, this is likely just a "well, at least I ran once...." deal.

 

[Evan Snow-Wolf]

My thoughts......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dntsig8RcAA


In other words, NO CHANCE IN HELL! Politics aside, what are her qualifications? She claims 30 years as a CEO of a company? Really, her OWN company?

I could see a run for the House, but this.....

Again, politics aside, this is likely just a "well, at least I ran once...." deal.

Lets just knock off this political experience crap right now. Seriously. Barack Obama got elected the Presidency of the United fucking States on nothing more than 185 days in the Senate, most of which he voted "present" on. So lets not go there.

Besides, technically she is backing up her claims. If a fiscal conservative was running for Senate under the platform of accountability, wouldn't you want one that's a successful CEO with 30 years of business experience?

Fuck, this woman can't win for losing with you people.

No, the correct post was the one referring to Dodd. She'll lose because he is FULLY entrenched in his position. He has long standing allies with Barney Frank, and CT is not that far away from Kennedy country. People like Dodd and Frank are exactly the reason we need term limits on these guys.

 

[Joup7]

unlike most athletes and wrestlers turned politicians, i feel McMahon is actually qualified to run. I doubt she's going to beat the Republican primary. Chris Dodd will probably smush whoever wins that primary. But at least she's qualified. She's won numerous awards for being a great businesswoman.

 

[DiscipleofWrestling]

My only point was that she's running against someone with years of experience in Congress and her only claim to fame, excuse me for saying, is being a CEO for her husband's wrestling company. You know what the media is going to do.... play some of the outrageous stuff WWE has done in the past and spin it to say she has no family values and crap. She's in a really difficult position to be elected. Damned if she does and damned if she doesn't. That's why I said it would be easier for her to run for the House. I realize she's been elected to the Conn. Board of Education a few months ago. But she has little experience in politics and the fact that she was a CEO might work against her especially given current situations. Hey, if she wins, more power to her. I'd like to see Dodd eat humble pie for once, but if he loses his job, it won't be because Linda McMahon is a more qualified candidate, if she makes it past the primaries.

 

[Ambiguous Turd]

My only point was that she's running against someone with years of experience in Congress and her only claim to fame, excuse me for saying, is being a CEO for her husband's wrestling company. You know what the media is going to do.... play some of the outrageous stuff WWE has done in the past and spin it to say she has no family values and crap. She's in a really difficult position to be elected. Damned if she does and damned if she doesn't. That's why I said it would be easier for her to run for the House. I realize she's been elected to the Conn. Board of Education a few months ago. But she has little experience in politics and the fact that she was a CEO might work against her especially given current situations. Hey, if she wins, more power to her. I'd like to see Dodd eat humble pie for once, but if he loses his job, it won't be because Linda McMahon is a more qualified candidate, if she makes it past the primaries.

As you indicated, her being a CEO is not going to work in her favor with the Middle Class. Being that Connecticut is such a Blue State as it is, her being a CEO is only going to work against her, as she will be painted as an "out-of-touch, wealthy businesswoman who does not feel the pain of the Middle Class." Combine that with being associated with the wrestling business, and there's another strike against her.

And I agree, that she probably won't even make it past the Primaries.

Dodd, where as unpopular at the moment, still represents Democrat/Liberal values, which is often times what this really comes down to at the end of the day ..... with the voters simply voting along party lines. If you have Liberal values, than it makes not a shred of sense to vote for a Republican, and Connecticut is decisively a Liberal state.

 

[Tastycles]

Whilst I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on US politics, much less those of Connecticut, I cannot see that she wil even reach candidacy in the proper election. For a start, there is the fact that she has been humiliated on television several times, and she is also running against people with real credentials. It's not as if the WWE are a powerhouse employer in the state, in real terms, so there's no loyalty to her there either. I'll be very suprised if the media treat her candidacy as anything but a wrestling stunt. Even if she wins the republican nomination, she is unlikely to win in a state that has had two democratic senators since 1989, and Dodd's seat has been democratic since 1963. Bad idea all round really.

 

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

I'd have to say i don't really feel confident that Linda would do well politically. Not that i don't think she could do it, but i think she's going to get a LOT of flack for being Vince's wife. The media love to jump on WWE when they come up with something new in order to gain ratings, and are over them like a rash when Wellness violations crop up, but how often do they give credit to the 'E' for all the work they do with 'Make A Wish' or 'Tribute To The Troops' etc? (Not living in the States i couldn't say, someone will have to enlighten me)

So as difficult as it is to get elected, based on all the factors previous posters have made, i feel that Vince's reputation is going to be yet another obstacle, or weight around Linda's neck that she'll have to deal with.

The press will hound her because she's Mrs McMahon, and the stupid stuff Vince comes up with on TV, is then going to reflect badly on Linda, because the media won't have the class to separate Linda McMahon the level headed business woman, from Vince the insane millionaire wrestling promoter, her husband. Hell they'll probably say that Vince is the one putting her up to it. Not the way it should happen, but more than likely.

 

[Ambiguous Turd]

Well, I see that Jake Roberts said that he had the "utmost confidence that Linda McMahon will win". I must say that I never knew that Jake Roberts was that much into politics to make a bold statement like that. Perhaps he is simply kissing up to the McMahons with hope they will help him out in the future with his life.

I just can't see how anyone in their right mind would think that Linda has a chance at winning this in a solid blue state like Connecticut.