
She got her start in porn and now she’s thinking politics. Stormy Daniels is considering running against Louisiana’s Republican senator, David Vitter, in 2010. Vitter was linked to the D.C. Madame and her prostitution services in 2007. Daniels has launched what she is calling a listening tour in Louisiana. She spoke to Kiran Chetry on CNN’s “American Morning” Wednesday.
Kiran Chetry: You are considering this possible Senate run in Louisiana against Senator David Vitter and he is infamous, I guess you could say, for his link to the D.C. Madame. So as a former porn star, is there a little bit of irony here?
Stormy Daniels: I think so. I think that's one the things that people find kind of entertaining about the whole thing but you've got to remember what I do is legal and what he did is not. So, yeah, I think that people find that very interesting. I hear the word karma a lot.
Chetry: You still haven’t filed the papers yet, right? How seriously are you considering this run for Senate?
Daniels: Well, I'm seriously considering it. That's the whole reason why I'm here this week doing the listening tour. I think that before I can decide whether or not I'm going to move forward with actually campaigning and undertaking a possible candidacy, I want to do the responsible thing and do a listening tour so I can get a better feel of what the people here really want me to do.
Chetry: You had your first experience with that yesterday in Baton Rouge. What was the reaction from people? Are they taking you seriously and do they hold your past in adult film against you?
Daniels: You know what, I was really, really overwhelmed by how positive and how good the turnout was yesterday. Every seat in the place was taken. There was tons of news there. Everyone had very serious, positive questions for me. I was expecting at least a little bit of controversy but surprisingly there was none. And everyone's questions seemed to be very serious.
Chetry: And so what did you tell them when they were seeking answers about help with the foreclosure situation there, help with job losses? How are you telling them you're going to be able to make their lives better?
Daniels: Well you have to remember this isn't the actual campaign, this is the listening tour. So the whole idea of me going there yesterday was I was supposed to be asking the questions to them. I wanted to get their feedback so that I could decide what my platform was going to be on each of those topics. I was very impressed with the turnout. I was very pleased with the turnout and the response but I was, quite honestly, I was a little disappointed that more people didn't speak up and let me know what their issues were. I think they were very intimidated by the amount of television crews and cameras that were in the room. Of course everybody wanted know to how I felt about taxes. A couple of people wanted to know about David Vitter and the same thing that I said yesterday is I wasn't there to talk about him. I've done enough of that. If they had questions about David Vitter they needed to go and talk to David Vitter about that, but overall I mean I am here to listen to decide what their opinions are.
Chetry: So your supporters have this website up, draftstormy.com. They say it’s a chance to start with a clean slate, to elect a representative we can be proud of, who will work tirelessly, who will change the status quo. If people are saying okay maybe this isn't a joke, what are you saying to convince them that you would make a good Senator?
Daniels: The whole draft story came about, like I said before, I had nothing to do with it. I largely ignored the situation in the beginning and the only reason why I am moving forward and I’m sitting here talking to you guys today is because everyone is encouraging me and I've gotten so much positive feedback. And the only thing I have to say to people is you know, I don't have a hidden personal agenda or political agenda. This wasn't my idea. I'm strictly doing it because I have been called to duty if for nothing else and I think that by taking the steps in this listening tour and really listening to what people have to say and what their concerns and their issues are and forming a way to help them with these things, I think that they are really beginning to take this seriously. Anyone who knows me and has worked with me in any of the businesses that I've been involved in before knows that I never take anything lightly. I work extremely hard. I'm always up for a good fight. And I don't undertake anything that I don't think that I can be the best at.


She can't be any worst than the politician running the government now, for they just enact more laws and spend, spend, spend our money away.
Hey if Arnold strutted his stuff in Terminator and became governor. I'd say she meets the pre-requisites quite well. Aside from that, this is a bad joke and just goes to show how we are gradually turning into Idiocracy.
A fresh young face in the Senate, and somebody that worked doing something other than lawyer crap. We need more Senators like this. And besides, she probably will be pretty honest. It’s not like she’s short on cash, and I don’t think we’ll ever have to worry about her being compromised by sleeping with some lobbyist!
Well, I think she's just following in the footsteps of a lot of people. How many people in the entertainment business have gone into politics and won? Just she's done porn doesn't mean she can't do a career change like many before her and many after.
If New Orleans wants to address the serious issues that plague its state, this woman will prove to be ineffective. Politics have apparently sunk this low that an individual with absolutely no experience to address the complicated issues of the day is now given credibility. That's not a knock against her profession, but let's get serious here. What a joke and CNN in its never-ending quest for high ratings and to be politically correct affords her air time. Sad and pathetic . . .
We should be starting with a base line of experience and education that has something remotely close to what would be needed to perform the functions of a senator. How does being an exotic dancer and porn star qualify her other than she hustles people for money? This story is typical CNN sensationalism!
At least she's honest and open about her past.
Considering that Vitter saw a madame and Daniels is a porn star, there is a sense of balance here. Like it just FEELS right. /Vitter agrees.
Increase services and service rates for capital hill clients to be contented and to increase political support for your industry.
James May 6th, 2009 11:38 am ET
So the GOP is now drafting porn stars…LOL
I guess they’ve given up on their fake “family values” façade and are now just concentrating on the lowest of the lowest, their base.
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You idiot, where in the article does it say the GOP supports this?
Go, Stormy!
And yes, she IS a lot smarter and much more educated than Sarah Palin.
There is a porn star in the Italian Parliament. Those of you who know anything about Italian politics know what a total joke it is. Although the US Senate is FAR from perfect, lets keep some semblance of pride, no? We don't need stunts in the Senate, we need bright, educated men and women with leadership experience, not dull-witted monkeys who fornicate for a living. Remember, this isn't Italy! I admire your zeal, "stormy" but please, do us a favor and gracefully bow out.
Go for it. How could she be any worse. Congress and the Senate have a lower approval rating than George Bush did, so I think she may help out. They are a joke anyway. Did you see them grilling the auto executives and the banks about failures? I'm not sure how they could ask questions from an ivory tower when all they have done is messed things up.
Here are your Cliff's Notes: Stormy doesn't know what irony means. She doesn't have a clue what her policies are. She sees an opportunity to give a little shot in the arm to whatever image she has/had.
C'mon guys, this isn't about what she does for a living. Would you elect a roofing contractor to the U.S. Senate just because he appears to be "honest" about his background?
This is little more than a publicity stunt by an attention-whore (no double-meaning intended); just like Gary Coleman and Mary Cary out here in California.
She brings up an interesting point.....the madame and her prostituion business is illegal, but making porn for pay is not. I'm sorry, but I don't see how they are different...both are having sex for money, it's just that in one case you are paid by a client and in the other you are paid by a movie company....in one case one person manages your appointments, in the other an agent manages your sex partners.
I'm sorry, but how is one different thatn the other?
not that i'm going to vote for her or support her candidacy but when people always questions someone's "qualifications" read what our constituion says first: No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
No where does it say you have to have come from "this" profession or you can not be from "that" profession. the constituttion was set up this way to allow for any citizen to run for office once certain criteria were met.
I'll take a porn star anyday over Al Franken!
being in politics is about making good decisions. Becoming a pornstar shows an obvious inability to make good decisions.
Pardon the pun but she has made her bed and now she must lie in it. You cannot simply run for a senate seat to obsolve yourself from a prior history.
God, I hope not!!! We have too many whore politicians as it is1!!
She seems like a viable candidate to me. Most of our elected morons have a pattern of similar behavior but don't get caught on camera. Since she's not hiding anything maybe it will give her the freedom to make decisions that will benefit her constituents.
Our downfall continues.
What a joke our legislature has become. Porn stars, whoremongers, and 90 year old careerists.
I hope she runs and wins, for if she does, it will be another step closer to the revolution this country so desperately needs.
If there is a vetting process, please please let me on that committee.
Why not? Well, she seems about as capable as Palin.
let's face it– we're completely out our minds...but i believe ben franklin was a bit of a swordsman during in his stay in france ( late 1770's)...albeit not for money but possibly for a bit more french wine...perhaps stormy could soften up the far right in the senate–those guys go for a really good love story! next thing you know- rush limbaugh will be running...hopefully with clothes!
Most of these comments are funny for 2 reasons.
1) Most of the people that put down the porn star career or say they can’t take her seriously, have not only seen (probably all of) her videos but also are some big hypocrites (like Vitter and many others who say they are clean only to do what they spoke against once in office)
2) For those that say clown in office and this makes a mockery of politics, that is the same thing that was said by your opponents about Regan and Schwarzenegger. Oh my mistake they are ok because they were Republicans. Are you idiots serious. You are why what you stand against (a porn star) can take a serious run at office. Your party has become confused old men that run around like chickens with their heads cut off. Get your party together, get with the times, and yes, eventually you need to change (evolve) or you become extinct. You will eventually get there Republicans, but won’t be in the next 4 years.
Go for reform of no more parties! As our fore fathers intended. Benjamin Franklin said political parties will be the death of us as a nation. He doesn't seem that far off looking at what both have turned into, Fighting for the sake of your not in my party rather than that’s what I believe in.
And people, at least spell check before you post. You don't look too smart when you misspell 3rd grade vocabulary.
Wow, there are some self-righteous and oppressed people commenting here today! Good to see you all fired up. I fully support her and think it will be a great thing to get some new faces in leadership.
I guarantee you the reaction wouldn't be quite the same if she were a man. If she were a man, she wouldn't be getting called a whore and attacked for "degrading" herself. The lot of you are hypocrites. I am half tempted to move to Louisiana just so that I can vote for her.
All the people in government involved in sex scandals a porn star running doesn't sound so bad. If she can stay honest and tell the truth more power to her.
She makes an honest living. She could be an honest Senator.
Seems appropriate
Show me you are smart and care about the nation, I will vote for you despite your former profession as a lawyer, or anything else.
Why not? After all, Minnesota is about to elect a complete moron when Al Franken is confirmed. Politics are a huge joke anyway. Give Louisiana to the porn star!
Congress is full of prostitutes so maybe she will fit right in!
It's a free country and she can run if she wants. I don't think she'll get anywhere but I sure would like to see the attack adds. LOL
Let me get this straight, "what he did was illegal, what I do is legal . . ."
So, he paid someone for sex, and you get paid for having sex with others.
That seems like two sides of the same coin to me.
Go for it Stormy!
Of course we don't want lawyers in Congress. I mean why would we want people who have spent their lives studying the laws and the U.S. Constitution to be the ones making the laws? They are screw ups but it has nothing to do with them being lawyers, it is because they are politicians.
" NotSurprising May 6th, 2009 11:45 am ET
Only the dems would offer us a porn star. But I guess it goes right along with the likes of commedian Al Franken and the clown and vise-clown in the white house.
So this is the choice America gets: Corrupt jokers and clowns from the left, and corrupt fat-cats from the right. Why are there so few decent people in pollitics?"
_____
It's almost as bad as having an actor like Reagan in the White House, right? There's no way someone like that could do any good for anyone, right?
LOL. And you wonder why you Americans get such a bad name. So you "Mary" smoked pot in high school... no job for you. wait, you "Paul" caused a car accident and nearly killed someone, NO JOB FOR YOU! I feel sorry for the americans here that acutally get it. Has she done anything illegal?? nope. Can she do a good job? MAYBE... that should be the concern of the voters, not what she did before. The rest of you losers need to get off your high horse and realize that everyone is entitled to chase "a dream". That is the "American Way" isn't it?
Hey, Obama did it......
Why not her?
She will do another porn movie about her senate run. She's a tool and a loser.
Folks, we're talking Louisiana here, not your normal state. Sex and politics have been interlinked in the state since the days of Earl Long, much less the days of Edwin Edwards. And given the fact that most politicians from Louisiana who are caught with their pants around their ankles, the amazement is that they keep getting re-elected to office!
Seriously, if a former porn star can do a better job than the current individual in office (who was caught with his pants around the ankle), then why not? She'd likely be more honest than the crooks that are normally elected to Congress.
and how. There's a person who can speak for the american people! If her story was important then the news wouldn't be covering it. Like the 9/11 inside job. Let her run and win.. heck america is run by a bunch of b oobs anyway.
She sounds much more articulate and intelligent than Sarah Palin. Go Stormy!!!
I am from New Orleans. I can tell you that our politics is nothing if not colorful. Stormy is coming from nowhere to run. She is not connected to any old-money families. She has no allegiance to any politcal front or business. If she is determined to run she seems to be making responsible choices so far. The people of south Louisiana are tired of politics as usual and if a fresh face can help turn things around from the way things were run before the campaign she has a shot at winning. As for her professional past, we'll just wait and see what her opposition has to say about that.
Hey, Suc Mi, since the republicants have shown themselves to be the lamest party on earth, you better look in the mirror before spewing your ignorance. Reminder: you guys lost, lost, lost, lost.
She might be a porn star but guess what? SHE PAYS HER TAXES
Lets see here GOP, Ronald Reagan before he got in politics played opposite a chimpanzee in the movies and the chimp got top billing. Sen, Sonny Bono was 2nd banana to Cher and was the barb to all her jokes. Gov. Schwartzeneger used to smear himself in oil and pose & show off his body with other men, Dubya was an uneducated redneck that paid a gay porn star to pose as part of the press to make him look good, Sarah Palin was a beauty pageant contestant who flirted & winked into the camera during the vice presidential debate saying because she could see Russia from her house made her a good choice for being President of the USA. Why is Stormy Daniels a bad choice again?
This is an example of exactly what is wrong with modern politics. The people who run and are selected to run are chosen solely based on appearance and charisma and not substance. Do you think any of the founding fathers would have looked great in front of a camera? Undoubtedly not. The advent of big television has created an era of bad mindless politicians who's only major skill is how to look good and smile in front of a camera. As far as thinking and running the country intelligently, none of that matters.
At least unlike most politicians she is willing to kiss you afterwords.
So you think replacing one idiot with a new idiot is going to make things any better.
How about maybe a real viable candidate with a brain & some common sense???
What a shame that anyone will be so willing to tarnish their personal reputation by engaging in anything as sleazy as politics.
Stranger things have happen, thats why are government is in the toliet. We aren't electing based on qualifications anymore(or did we ever)... We elect a person based on there name.
I'd rather have a candidate who admits her bleak background than the one who claims to be standing on a high moral ground but caught banging an escort.
Face it...most of our current politicians chose that career because they knew they couldn't succeed in the porn industry. So she already has a leg up on the competition.
Hey, she's great. She'll add a new dimension to politics, where peoples pasts shouldn't really matter. By the way, she is quite smart, she acts quite well in her movies, and she writes and directs too. Too many people think that all porn stars are dumb. Some might say the good ones like Jenna Jameson and Stormy are shrewd business women. I honestly think she has a more admirable job doing what she does. It takes a lot of nerve to get in front of a camera, more if your naked and screwing. More power to her.
It seems that many of you are quite ignorant when it comes to ones profession. You do not know her on a personal level, therefore you do NOT know how serious this is to her. Maybe she went to school for it? Have you even looked it up? Get off your high horses, if you think you could do a better job then why don't you go run for office? At least she's doing what she believes in. What about the rest of you nay sayers? Oh, that's right, you're sitting on your thumbs criticizing someone for their past LEGAL profession.
How ironic.
We can't tolerate someone who has shown a little skin be the Miss America runner up, but we can tolerate someone who has shown it all plus, run for the Senate.
Hypocricy at it finest.
I'm conservative, and I'd support her to be a dem, not a rep though. I mean the only difference between her and libs and dems is she's better looking, so why not. She's as smart and experienced as Obama and they've already got a joke(comedian) and traitor in the party, I think a porn star would be a step up. So dems and libs, don't ever say that reps or conservatives don't support democrats or are full I hate, lol. She's got my love and support to run as a democrat. You go girl!
How can anyone post a comment to a story like this without saying something inflammatory or idiotic? I don't know. So, lets look at her qualifications (not those qualifications!) Besides being articulate and outspoken, what could she offer her state (not what you're thinking!)? Could she even get a security clearance? I doubt it. So, guys, stop drooling and let's close this book.
Why not, man? GO STORMY, GO!!!
Although the Senate would be a step DOWN for her, she could do no worse than the current crop of idiots who have sold their souls to the highest bidder.
Good Luck! I would definitely vote for her.
To the people that choose to go the inexperience route...have you ever seen a movie called Mr. Smith Goes To Washington? Maybe you should check it out.
I don't see why not. She might actually be able to do more for her constiuents being a "newbie" than most folks. Plus I think I have more respect for someone who is honest and open about their past than all these politians who keep getting caught up in sex scandals!
If this lady is a "slutty piece of meat" then how about the guys who were in the movies with her? Oh, I forget - the guys are okayyyy... it's the women who get tarred and feathered for doing the same things the guys get away with scott free. I think she should run and put the lie to every two-faced hypocrite who posts here about family values and women.
She should ask Palin to campaign for her.... they would be good together.
If Minnesota can have a comedian, LA can have a porn star. The Dems are all-inclusive.
Great! Let's replace one boob with two nice ones!
GO STORMY!!!!!
If nothing else she will expose the hyprocrisy of Senator David Vitter another "traditional family values" Republican. As she said, "what I did was legal, what he did was not."
Best of Luck!!!
I find it really disturbing that this lady would get 12 seconds of air time to discuss a dream she is unworthy of realizing. Shame on you CNN.
Go Stormy! At least she has no illusions about what she did for her profession, and can look you in the eye and not BS you. Surely if we can elect a steroid-enhanced movie star in California as Governor, we can elect a smart, sexy, porn star right? Anything's possible...
Why would she go from a legit profession to a sleezy one like politics?
politics is immoral.
I agree with RAG.
She needs to stick to what she's doing. It's cleaner and a better profession.
Ask Spritz.
Nothing that happens in Louisiana shocks anyone anymore!
Sen,Vittter is the two-faced scumbag who is such a hypocrite.
What's wrong w/their wives who stick by these sociopaths?
Isn't this payback time.
When I was young, I thought Senators were above reporach. I soon learned how human they are.
I would vote for her! Very eloquent speaker, bright! Why not? Go Stormy!
Anyone notice how she didn't really answer any of the questions, yet still came off ok?
She'll make a great politician! I'd give her my vote.
Porn is controlled prostitution, it's getting paid for sex. SAME THING except less dangerous. She may sound like she's got it together, but I would never vote for someone who has personally helped to degrade my entire sex.
The law, and the leadership of the country, is meant to uplift a nation, not debase it.
She would do anything for money, I think she's proven that already.
As long as she believes in individual freedom and fiscal conservatism then I'm all for it. I'm with Steve on this one.
"Actually, I think a porn star in the Louisiana senate makes more sense than having another lawyer. After all, there are some things a porn star won’t do."
OK....when she puts out, not only does she get something but so do her partners. Senators...they make believe they put out for us but it is all about them. It is a one way transaction. So...maybe she can teach them something? Transparency may take on a different meaning but...hey...those old senators have a decent health plan. I can just see the bill for defibrillators now.
Sen. Vitter did not get what he deserved originally.
He knew he would have to pay one way or another
Oayback Time!
He's a real chump. Does he think he's not vulnerable like John Edwards (another scumbag)
If she decides to run it will be a very interesting race. I think she should be afforded the same rights and privilages any citizen in the country gets. If you disagree with her former line of work, and feel that it will distract from her ability to effectively govern, then vote against her.
Calling her a slut and passing judgement on other people only shows your ignorance and immaturity. Attack the debate, not the debator.
If you're better than she is, run. Plain and simple. Shut up and run.
This is absurd, no experience and no morals!! She is nuts for even suggesting such a thing. We want someone at least with some morals and ingretity. Who in their right mind would vote for her? Only someone who does not have morals and care about what we are representing. This is ridiculous.
Fine idea. At least we might have one Congressman/woman who is honest and frank with the voters. Much better than the majority of our Congress. I wish her all the success. It just might fly in her state.
Go for it. The so called "Falmily Values" people need to be shown family values and it will be very funny to see he do it. Wish her all the luck in the wolrld.
Well, why not, the rest of DC is run by crooks and losers like Kennedy, Boxer, Reid, Piglosi, Kerry, Dodd, and the new lib loser Specter, why not let a porn star clean the place up.
What a bright future to come ..............law makers wake up! STOP your circus ...........STOP pushing personal agenda..................think about the country and its future.
Now, what kind of thinking has come about in this nation.
The possibility of a porn star running for senate!
And yet Miss California in in danger of losing her crown because of some pictures when she was 17, in pursuit of a modeling job. Why...Why?
AND yet this woman. Stormy Daniels(typed name wrong in previous post, sorry.), could even possibly pursue the Senate!?
We should be fighting mad to think that many of our leaders now are so corrupt, C'mon America...We need some stability..wake up! We need Moral Leaders, who can make decisions with God-Given wisdom......Leaders that LOVE our Nation, and will do anything they can to Preserve it.
Hmmm. something to think about...
NO. people aren't thinking.
She can't do any worse then some of the other bozo's in the Senate. At least now I can be taken advantage of someone a lot more attractive then the typical government official!
Given the choices available in Louisiana, why not?
I just think it's sad that we had Palin and now a Porn star representing us as women. What are young girls to think - that as long as you are pretty, people will elect you? They are both DUMB chicks, where are the positive role models for our daughters???
I worked in the music industry for over 15 years and at times, was around adult entertainment stars that were looking to break into the music industry as singers. One thing I can tell you about most of them if that porn is "strictly" a job to them and when they're not in front of a camera, adult stars are as normal (sometimes more than normal) as the next person.
While I don't agree with this young lady's bid to become a Senator, based on the integrity that the position should hold, I think she deserve to at least try. She can't do any worse than the group of Senators that have perverted what the position should stand for and we're in no position to tell her that she can't do it.
I agree with RAG... at least Porn is honest about what it is and 90% of our Senators are lying to us about what it is that they want for the country and what they'll actually do for the country.
I wish her nothing but the best, even if I don't agree with it.
Think of the similarities between being a porn star and being a member of congress:
1 – The dialogue is stilted and turns out to be pure nonsense.
2 – Most of the action is for show only and serves to fill up space and time.
3 – In the end, there's only a few seconds of any meaningful action.
4 – The majority of Americans think both professions are dirty and the members of such should be ashamed of themselves.
I question the motives of some of the men who support her, but as a woman and a feminist, I say she has the same right as any citizen to pursue public office. As someone said, I'd like to know if she has ANY work experience outside of being an "actress". Also, she's lucky she has the opponent she has.
Against a better opponent she probably wouldn't stand a chance, but she can't be worse than Vitter. To paraphrase her, she hasn't broken any laws, he has.
well, she answers questions better then Bush ever did - so that's a plus! I'm just worried that other senators won't listen to her cause they will be distracted by her super-sized made-for-porn boobs... and they already get distracted by so many things!