How Bernie Sanders won the talk radio primary

[eridani]

http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/how-bernie-sanders-won-the-talk-radio-primary

Bernie Sanders may be a long shot for the presidency, but on liberal talk radio, he’s already king.

The Vermont Independent senator has for years been a fixture on the airwaves and internet streams of left-wing political talk shows, building a national audience eager to enlist in his populist crusade against the 1%. So when Sanders declared his dark-horse presidential bid last month, the response from talk radio listeners was overwhelming — and nearly unanimous.

“For my audience, the core of the Democratic Party, it’s Bernie Sanders. There’s no question,” said Atlanta-based talker Mike Malloy. “It is very consistent. It is unwavering for Bernie Sanders. It’s consistent responses no matter where the calls are coming from.”

From local personalities to nationally syndicated and satellite radio heavy-hitters, interviews with nearly a dozen liberal talk radio hosts show Sanders is so far crushing the primary — at least when it comes to their medium.

Few people understand the pulse of the hardcore activist base better than the radio hosts taking calls and emails from listeners every day. They say their audience views Hillary Clinton skeptically (but would vote for her in a general election), and that listeners know next to nothing about Martin O’Malley, Jim Webb, and Lincoln Chafee, who are also considering Democratic presidential bids.

[NYC_SKP]

1. Short of buying out all the media to prevent Sanders air time, I don't see how Hillary can win.

She has no message, no substance, just baggage.

[MissDeeds]

2. +1000

"She has no message, no substance, just baggage." . You nailed it. That's exactly how I feel. She doesn't lead on anything, and then there is the problem of baggage - lots of baggage.

[Enthusiast]

8. No passion!

No passion toward the American people—at all!

From her perspective there isn't a problem. She doesn't even have a passion for her corporate donors. No.......................nothing.

[F4lconF16]

12. Not true.

She is very much passionate about women's issues and gender inequality. I'd argue that her policies have significantly harmed women more than helped, but then I'd say that for any neoliberal. She has made some excellent speeches and inspired millions of women and girls in this country. She has, like Obama did, broken barriers, and not just for herself. People here are far too dismissive of that fact.

[aspirant]

3. The Corporate Champion

is doing the corporate thing, ignoring the people and only talking to HRC shareholders

[msongs]

4. liberal talk radio has how many listeners, 20 0r 30 lol nt

[JDPriestly]

5. Who do you think is giving Bernie 4 million at 43 a pop?

Listen to Thom Hartmann on Friday morning. Bernie accepts calls. Try him.

That is the Brunch with Bernie hour. Bernie answers questions.

FDR got re-elected again and again thanks to his radio show.

Obama tries these videos, but he always sounds like he is talking at us. FDR's secret was that people felt an intimacy. He was talking with the people.

Bernie Sanders sounds like he is talking with Thom and with the listeners. That is why he is so loved.

[Enthusiast]

7. +1. And Bernie ain't lyin'. It's a refreshing change. A guy that ain't lyin'.

And the listeners know that Bernie is honest. And we know it.

[merrily]

10. Not lying. Not slicing and dicing his words so he can point out later that he

never actually quite said exactly what he hoped you would assume he said, etc. Not worrying more about the job creators than about the 99%. No, I probably won't agree with him on everything. But I respect him; I believe him and I trust him to at least try his best to deliver on what he says. An


Also, I think he is running because he thinks he has to if we are to have a middle class in another generation. I don't think he wanted to, or he would have run years ago. I don't think he would have run now, if Warren had run.

Some say no one who wants the job should get it. It's very rare that you get someone who doesn't want the job running for it.

[salimbag]

11. Honesty is a rare bird

We are so used to lying politicians that we should really appreciate an honest one. Go Bernie!

[merrily]

9. The purpose of your post does not seem to be to support Bernie.

Please delete or modify.

[F4lconF16]

13. I disagree.

It is a valid point. Liberal talk shows are very much outgunned by the corporate, nutso right-wing hate that floods most airwaves. It was a bit caustic, but I don't think that the poster was attacking Sanders.

[merrily]

14. on this, msongs can speak for himself or herself. thanks.

[smokey nj]

15. This group is a safe haven for supporters of Bernie Sanders. msongs IS NOT a supporter of Bernie

Sanders, so his/her post is inappropriate in this group.

[merrily]

16. msongs, please respond to the request I made as a host of this group.

[Enthusiast]

6. K&R! That's fucking awesome!

Go, Bernie!