The publishing industry had every reason to believe that Hillary Clinton’s new book, Living History, would be a big success. Clinton’s publisher, Simon & Schuster, was so confident in the book’s success, they gave her an extraordinary $8 million advance, which was a considerable gamble considering the market for political memoirs.
Tucker Carlson, one of the two conservatives on CNN’s Crossfire, was confident, too. He was so sure the book would be a flop that he told national television audiences about several things he’d do if Clinton’s book was successful.
As the Washington Post explained today, among Carlson’s many promises were pledges to eat a shoe and necktie, plus a promise to buy Crossfire co-host Paul Begala dinners for a month, if he was wrong about Clinton’s book.
* “If they make $8 million on that book, I will eat my shoes,” Carlson declared on April 28.
* “If this woman sells a million copies, I’ll eat my shoes and my tie,” Carlson said on April 29.
* “Literally, I will pay for your dinner for a month if she makes $8 million,” Carlson told Begala on May 16.
* If Clinton’s book “does sell more than a million copies, I’ll eat my shoes here on Crossfire,” Carlson promised on June 5.
* “If she sells a million copies of this book, I’ll eat my shoes and my tie. I will,” he said on June 11.
Poor Tucker was as wrong about this as he was about the benefits of Bush’s tax cut. Instead of eating crow, however, Tucker has promised to put something else on his plate.
But will he keep his word? Will Tucker Carlson actually eat his shoes and tie on CNN? (I’ve long since given up on watching the show, but I might be tempted to tune in for this one)
Carlson told the Post yesterday, “I feel a little sick to my stomach just thinking about it.” Apparently, he’ll be looking to fetishistic web sites for edible footwear. Carlson also said he’d live up to his word about Begala’s dinners for a month, but he explained they’ll be “Mrs. Lee’s tuna sandwiches.”
As for eating his tie, Carlson is backing out of his earlier promises. “There’s only so much humiliation one man can take,” he said.
If I hear when the shoe-eating will commence, I’ll let everyone know so you can enjoy the fun. (Ironically, this is just what the show needs to give it a boost in the ratings. Producers are probably thinking right now about what else they can get Carlson to eat on-air)