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LIBERAL TALK RADIO HAS A REALLY BAD WEEK.
April 9, 2008 -
April 16, 2008
The important Spring ratings period for radio is not starting out with a bang for the already beleaguered liberal talk radio format. Millions of dollars have been poured into liberal talk networks by Democrat Party activists determined to create a supposed counter-balance to conservative talkers. But despite these efforts to create a powerful new weapon in the Liberal arsenal, both listeners and advertisers have turned away. The turmoil, financial and otherwise, that has plagued liberal talk radio continued last week.
Air America Radio host Randi Rhodes was suspended by the network because of an F-word filled tirade she directed at Senator Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro during a public appearance for Air America affiliate KKGN in San Francisco. The program director for the station claimed Rhodes’ appearance was the biggest event that KKGN had ever held and that she even signed about 500 autographs!
In a city as liberal as San Francisco, with a listening audience of over 6 million people that is not impressive. In fact, Rhodes captivating liberalism, in what is likely the most liberal market in the country, helped that Air America station to a 28th place finish for the most recent ratings period! Yep, 28th place! After a few days of suspension, Rhodes decided not to return to Air America and instead accepted an on-air job with KKGN in San Francisco – the same station she has helped to 28th place.
While Rhodes was being suspended the former head of programming for the network, Thomas Athans, admitted publicly that he had been caught with a $150 an hour hooker in Troy, Michigan. In addition to running another liberal talk network Athans spends his spare time being married to U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan). In the midst of all this turmoil, liberal talker Ed Schultz, another of Air America’s “best and brightest,” called John McCain a "warmonger"—which led to immediate condemnation from the Obama campaign. All in all it was just another warm and fuzzy week in Liberalville.
The bottom line is that liberal talk radio hosts are floundering, even in markets where there is a huge base of partisans who share their Leftist ideology. It is failing because the failure to provide compelling and credible infotainment necessary to attract listeners and advertisers ultimately leads to financial bankruptcy. It is failing because the lack of a moral foundation in their world view leads directly to moral bankruptcy. And it is failing because hosts who rely solely upon the strength of their voices and how loud they can yell rather than the strength of their arguments and how clearly they can communicate lead inevitably to intellectual bankruptcy.
The Mainstream Media has been a powerful and reliable ally for the Left as it thrived in monologue form…whether in print or in the network news format. But cable news outlets, the internet, talk radio and other forms of “new media” have brought dialogue into the process – and exposed the fault lines that lie beneath the foundations of “liberal thought”. In the increasingly competitive arena of ideas those who talk the talk must be able to walk the walk with some level of ideological consistency. Attempting to fill the Left’s void of ideas with F-words and ad hominem attacks cannot disguise that void and it will not fool the listeners for long – even in San Francisco.
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TENNESSEE LEGISLATIVE RACES WILL BE KEY BATTLEGROUND IN 2008. -
April 7, 2008 -
April 14, 2008
Most politically savvy Tennesseans have been focused almost exclusively on the Presidential race over the past year. The continuing battle for the Democratic nomination, and the looming war for the White House between John McCain and whoever prevails in that fight, will draw the lion’s share of attention in the next few months. But, unless Tennessee somehow emerges as a battleground state in the presidential race, the real focal point for Tennessee politics will soon shift to the legislative rac... |
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IS AL GORE STARTING TO MAKE HIS MOVE? -
March 30, 2008 -
April 6, 2008
In recent weeks, talk of the potential emergence of former Vice President Al Gore as a consensus candidate for the Democratic Party nomination for President has increased in volume. Newsweek columnist Eleanor Clift and Time columnist Joe Klein have both noted that Gore could provide the Democrats a winning exit strategy from the protracted Obama-Clinton primary battle, a fight that promises to get bloodier in the weeks ahead. One Democrat Congressman and Super Delegate, Tim Mahoney of Florida, h... |
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DOES SPITZER NEED "HOOKER CREDITS"? -
March 11, 2008 -
March 17, 2008
New York Governor Eliot Spitzer desperately needs a creative way out of his scandalous interlude with a high-priced prostitute in an exclusive Washington, D.C. hotel. News that he paid $4,000, plus train tickets, cab fare, mini bar and room service, travel time and hotel, for a Valentine’s Eve flurry of fun, have placed his political career (and presumably marriage) in jeopardy. Fortunately, he can follow the Al Gore “global warming” formula for cleansing his record.
Al Gore, in his mad... |
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IS A GORE SCENARIO EMERGING? -
March 8, 2008 -
March 15, 2008
As the number of Democrat delegates available in the remaining state primaries and caucuses dwindles down, the likelihood that neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama will be able to secure the delegates needed to claim the nomination before the Democratic Convention in late August increases. Numerous factors complicate the issue, but none is more divisive than the controversy over potential delegates from Michigan and Florida. The fact that those two states also loom large as swing states in t... |
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CAN THE ER STRATEGY SAVE HILLARY? -
February 13, 2008 -
February 20, 2008
Hillary Clinton’s campaign for the presidency is on life support. After a rash of victories for Barack Obama, including a sweep of primaries in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, the two candidates find themselves in a virtual dead heat in the delegate count. But all the momentum is on Barack’s side, and Hillary must now make a desperation play for the delegate-rich states of Ohio and Texas that are up for grabs on March 4. So, what cards does she have left to play?
When B... |
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