It was an extraordinary scene on the last day of campaigning for New Hampshire voters when two sexist men jumped up and started waving signs that said IRON MY SHIRT and chanting the same line. Clinton immediately seized on the moment, pointing out the sexism that still exists and ordering that the lights be brought up. It infuriated many woman and could well have secured the slim margin of victory in the state for Clinton. It now appears that the protest was a stunt by a radio program by Nick Gemelli and Adolfo Gonzalez — regulars on the “Toucher and Rich” radio show at WBCN in Boston. The question now is what WBCN will do about a shock jock show that may have determined — or certainly contributed to — the outcome of a critical primary.
From the outset, the scene seemed to perfect and many immediately began to question whether the young men were plants. For a vide, click here
It turns out that they are regulars on this low-grade radio show. For many, the age of the shock jock has been seen as a sign of the de-evolution of our society. However, this would clearly cross the line. Toucher and Rich may be responsible for influencing the outcome of a critical primary in history through a fraud. For shock jocks, such a fact is likely to thrill them. But this fraud distorted the political process by which this country is trying to pick its next leader at a critical moment in our history. This is not like throwing live chickens from the roof of the radio station or broadcasting sexual encounters in a church — as other such programs have done. If Toucher or Rich knew about this stunt or encouraged it any way, they need to be fired.
What is interesting is that Clinton was helped at the last moment by two events — this one and the famous weepy scene speaking with independents at a cafe. Many suggested that both scenes were staged. The cafe scene was not. It turns out that the woman who asked that question ended up voting for Obama. Click here As for the sexist scene, it was staged but not by Clinton.
The evidence connecting these men to the show appears quite strong. The only question is whether anyone at the show knew of the stunt. It is also clear that this is not “evidence of sexism in society” but evidence of the continuing menace of shock jocks, who exist because radio executives appear to lack any principles or motivation beyond making money in any way possible.
For the pictures of the men at the protest and on the radio show, click here