What makes Maddow sexy? The obvious one is her smarts. It's also that she can have intelligent debate with people who she disagrees with, notably Pat Buchanan: there's a true spirit of inquiry and respect for the other that is often missing from the ranters on both sides of the aisle. And there's her knowledge of booze, of course, but mostly it's the brains.

She is a good looking woman I suppose, but I don't think 'sexy' when I see or hear her. A better question is: why does Salon and the supposedly feminist Broadsheet continue to sexually objectify women of high education and stature such as Maddow and Michelle Obama?

I like Rachel. Sexy ? No.

You're kidding, right? She really is THE girl next door, but more than that, she looks like she'd be FUN in bed. Not this sexual dynamo, but honestly fun. There's a HUGE difference. Yes, she is lesbian, but a guy can dream, can't he?

Maddow is genuinely beautiful, but it's hard to separate her brains and charisma from her physical appearance. A big part of her charm is her extremely matter-of-fact way of presenting herself as she is, without apology or explanation.

I was lucky enough to meet her in person back when she was just starting out with Air America, and before the MSNBC stylists and makeup artists got their hands on her, and believe me, she was just as beautiful back then, in a fresh and forthright tomboy-next-door kind of way.

I believe her too when she says that physical appearances mean little to her - and can picture her laughing uproariously at the idea of herself as a style icon.

thanks for keeping me informed

Including Ellen Degeneres among the "culturally neutered" butch femmes who aren't considered beautiful by the mainstream seems a little farfetched. She's a Covergirl spokesperson!

And for the record, I don't find Maddow sexy in the slightest.

What makes Rachel Maddow sexy? In addition to her intellectual brilliance, she's extremely attractive (to this dyke). Frumpy suit or t-shirt and jeans, either will do.

Daphne Merkin's NYT piece is weird. I doubt she actually watched The Rachel Maddow Show or talked to any actual lesbians.

If all women were 400 lb butch lesbians their attractiveness would be celebrated. Women, unlike men, are graded on a curve: SOME woman/women will ALWAYS be considered attractive. It would be possible, under certain circumstances, for women to be repulsed by ALL men. Men can't react that way to all women.

Deal widdit.

Brilliant, hysterical, approachable.

Butch Is The New Cool And Sexy!

Trust me girls and women; lipstick is out, and the low maintenance "butch" look is in (short cropped hair, pants suits, faded men's jeans, work boots, and little to no make up).

But keep shaving the legs, just in case.

and not in the Dick Cheney way. Oh, okay, the smartness thing too.

I certainly think Maddow is appealing - I first watched her immediately after Obama was elected and had a tough time placing her on the spectrum of female broadcasters.

Eyerolling tsk-tsker, a la Soledad? No...

Frothing at the mouth & bug-eyed, a la Nancy Grace? No...

Scary schoolmarm, a la Greta Van Susteren? No...

Female answer to Keith Olbermann (my worst fear)? No...

Maddow is an earnest, forthright broadcaster who happens to be a woman. I doubt she's even a 'reluctant' sex symbol. Reluctance would signify recognition of the situation, and I don't think she probably puts forth much energy on being a sex symbol. She shows up to work and does something she not only loves but at which she excels!

Watching that mixology vid i could not help but think of a 14 year old Johnny Galecki (playing Leonard) presenting a science fair project...(viewed through gender "normal" glasses understand) So why sexy? Youth, personality (my GF & I call her "Ms. Perky") wit & intelligence are always attractive in another person--the border between "attractive" and "sexy" being nothing more mysterious than a sexual preference, you have your answer. BTW, a lesbian that is attractive to str8 guys is nothing at all unusual--str8 guys have sex with shoes after all (it doesn't take much!). Now find me a lesbian that actually turns on a gay guy and you'll have something truly "new".

Yeah she's adorable but why is that a topic for discussion? Some people probably don't find her adorable. So what?

Is it not entirely possible that the audience finds Ms Maddow intellectually stimulating, and her exploration of the news sufficiently close to their own line of inquiry? What need is there to sexualize or stereotype her? Let us not insult her and her audience by this pointless exercise.

-Mongol

I'm not sure I've thought about whether Rachel is sexy or not. I know for certain that she's attractive as hell - and that comes back to the intelligence, wit and humour most others here reference.

And yes...I am a little bit in love with her. Sometimes I watch Ann Coulter to remind me why politics matter...and then I watch Rachel to make me feel better.

I have always had an attract to Alison Stewart, ever since her MTV days, and her "Choose or Lose" coverage of the 92 President Election (remember who won?), which won her a Peabody.

I was kind of surprised that Rachel Maddow had gotten the nod over Allison Stewart, but one has to take into account that Maddow is younger and had a radio show that got, and continues to get, good rating before she was given her MSNBC show.

Both women are extremely attractive in unconventional ways, and that it part of their huge appeal.

People like what it is original, and Rachel Maddow is definitely original, as well as talented, insightful, intelligent, thought provoking, and extremely good-naturedly funny.

I think that it is wrong for this discussion even to occur. I am strongly against the objectification of any woman. However, I am so in love with this particular woman, I must state for all that I want to bear her children. She's so freaking smart, so smoking hot, did I mention smart?

She makes an awful lot of work and research look effortless. She raises cable "news" television to such an art level that she has no comparable fellows. Certainly no right wing show, and if I must I'll say that even Keith Olbermann is overshadowed by her work. Not a diss on KO; I won't stop watching...I just don't have the same urge to bear his children.

OK, I'm objectifying. Guilty as charged.