WSJ: Radio's Bush-Bashing Air America Is Back in Fighting Form

[kaitykaity]

Randi mentioned this, but it doesn't have the cartoon
she was so irritated about.

http://www.mediainfocenter.org/story.asp?story_id=63602937

Radio's Bush-Bashing Air America Is Back in Fighting Form
By Julia Angwin and Sarah McBride
The Wall Street JournalJanuary 20, 2005

TODAY'S INAUGURATION of President George W. Bush may depress many Democrats, who had hoped to take back the White House this year. But at Air America, the upstart liberal radio network, there's at least some cause for celebration.

Coinciding with the presidential ceremonies, Air America will launch its brash Bush-bashing talk-radio format onto the airwaves in President Bush's backyard -- Washington, D.C. -- as well as Detroit and Cincinnati, bringing its total nationwide reach to 45 markets.

It's a remarkable feat for a network that was nearly given up for dead just last year. After a hype-filled launch in March, stoked by the passion of the presidential-election campaign, the network ran out of money within six weeks and was kicked off the air in Los Angeles and Chicago, leaving it with just a New York station and two smaller markets. Critics predicted the company wouldn't recover, especially after the election ended and interest in politics faded.

But with an infusion of new financing and new management, the radio network has won high ratings in some of its local markets and has garnered the support of radio-industry giant Clear Channel Communications Inc. It has signed three- year contracts with its top two stars, Al Franken and Randi Rhodes, and raised an additional $19 million from private investors. People familiar with the situation say Air America is also finalizing a deal that would get it back on the air in Los Angeles via KXTA-AM, a Clear Channel sports station.

In fact, President Bush's victory might be the best thing that could have happened to the network. Just as Rush Limbaugh and other conservative radio voices flourished during eight years of President Clinton, Air America's hosts now have an inviting target for the rest of the term.

... more

[itzamirakul]

1. Mostly true, I suppose...

but I would still be listening to AAR whether Kerry had won or not. There is a lot to learn from them plus, we hear news that the Corporate media does not report on tv.

[Mojambo]

2. If we let them change it from Progressive radio

to Bush-Bashing radio, they are winning the game once again...

[itzamirakul]

6. Bush isn't the only thing we have to bash...

I'm afraid that I don't agree with the nicey-nicey centrist viewpoint that no matter what shitholes the Republicans are - no matter how low Rush, O'Reilly, Hannity and their ilk stoop and lie - that we Democrats must keep our heads above the fray and never respond in kind.

That's the kind of position that has gotten a lot of good people conquered throughout history. If your enemy is fighting with a switchblade, you look awfully funny bringing a powderpuff as your weapon.

They are winning the game NOW and our leaders are not saying one damn thing - positive or negative...so if we just "turn the other cheek" they will suddenly feel bad and stop with all the dirty tricks they use, huh?

[Mojambo]

7. My point had nothing do do with the "nicey-nicey centrist viewpoint"

We should be promoting progressive policy and attacking conservative policy. And I think that is exactly what they are doing on Air America.

My point was that if the the Cons are able to portray progressive radio as nothing more than Bush-bash radio in mainstream American minds then we will continue to lose the debate.

It can't be about attacking one guy and his policies and that is what the Republicans are trying to make it out to be.

[itzamirakul]

9. OK...if the shoe DOESN'T fit you

don't have to wear it. :)

I guess I am a little touchy because following is the response that I received from a well-known NY Daily News columnist when I complained about the out and out lies he was telling about Sen. Barbara Boxer's questioning of Dr. Rice.

In his article he said that Boxer was going through a "terminal meltdown" and that "Something is driving her over the edge and she's determined to take the Democratic Party with her."

I wrote a very pointed email pointing out his smear tactics and his blatant lies.

This is the email response I got from this man, a MSM well-paid, Neocon columnist:
*******
<start email>
"You want the wackadoo wing representing you--congratulations, you got it. If you get 49 more Senators on your team, you'll have a majority. But given that your preference is for rancid name-calling, I suspect you'll continue to be lonly. (sic) Oh, and by the way, what do you think will happen should there be another Democratic president? do you think Republicans will treat his or her nominees with respect? Or will they, in the spirit of payback, also use the confirmation hearings for cheap moralizing lectures that are nothing more than smears? The hearings are supposed to be for questions--not browbeating lectures. Senators who want to vote no should do so. But to use the process as a forum for humiliation is disgraceful. Decent Democrats know that, which is why most of them asked real questions and why they will vote for her." <end of email>
*******

The writer of this email and the article entitled: SELF-DEMOLISHING DEMS, is Michael Goodwin. The article appeared in the NY Daily News on January 19, 2005.

I think the tone and content of this email goes a long way to show the unpublished, dark side of thinking that many conservative news pundits have. The tone of this email is positively evil.If nothing else, this man's email shows the REAL way these neocons think and their meanness of spirit while claiming such "holiness."

They are bashing us continuously while accusing us of their very own sins. I think we have to fight fire with fire.

[Mojambo]

10. That is a pretty snide response

Hey, I'm all for slamming these fascist fucks at every turn, but if we're to build a functioning lefty media I'd prefer we NOT model it after right wing hate radio.

Air America IS doing it the right way and I don't want to let the rightwing echo chamber insinuate that ALL we've got is Bush bashing. That sentiment (if it takes hold) will not help us in the long run.

[itzamirakul]

11. Hey..listen...I'm sorry...

I tried to let you know that I understood your first post to me. If I am snide somewhere, it is truly unintentionable.

[Mojambo]

12. no no no...

I meant his response to you was snide.

Sorry for the confusion!

[patdem]

3. I thought bush** hated DC...it is not HIS backyard..it belongs to AMERICA

that is why they keep refusing it statehood. bush's** backyard? Crawfish TX is his backyard...not DC...:grr: What ignorant pundita they have at the WSJ (Whore Studded Jingoists)

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Just a sign of how much it pisses them off that progressive radio like

AAR is growing and doing so well.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=103&topic_id=99876&mesg_id=99876

[kaitykaity]

5. Yeah, I saw that thread after I posted this one.

This one probably could have gone in yours.

Sorry.

[itzamirakul]

8. Kick!