Next Big Thing for Right Wing Talk Radio: Hate Everybody

[marmar]

from AlterNet's PEEK:



Next Big Thing for Right Wing Talk Radio: Hate Everybody

Posted by Trish , Pensito Review at 11:06 AM on February 11, 2008.

That's the only winning strategy for Rush, Ann, Laura, and all the other blathering conservative big mouths.




Rush Limbaugh, whose criticisms of John McCain put him in danger of becoming irrelevant, could still have a way out: hate everybody.

That's the only winning strategy for Rush, Ann, Laura, and all the other blathering conservative big mouths, according to industry experts.

Robert Mathias, managing director of Ogilvy PR's Washington office, said conservative hosts need to begin adapting to the changes occurring in the Republican party or risk losing their audiences.

"Mr. McCain's victory creates a little bit of a loss of standing, but it is not a sea change," he said. "The party is not moving in lock step with conservatives, and if there is in fact a change occurring and if these guys don't adjust they will lose some of their audience."

(President of radio consulting firm Jacobs Media Fred) Jacobs said it's now a win-win situation for the likes of Mr. Limbaugh and his conservative cohorts. Regardless of who now makes it to the White House, they will have an adversary they can complain about for four years.

"He is actually guaranteed some great material now," Mr. Jacobs said.

Added (Talkers magazine publisher Michael) Harrison, "They can now be critical of both parties, which puts them in a much better position."

There is probably a very large demographic out there that does, in fact, hate everybody. Some of them have begun leaving comments on Pensito Review. They are not Republicans, think John McCain is a dangerous hawk, and see Mike Huckabee as too flaky-Christian to be trusted with the Constitution.

At the same time, they don't want a female president and they damn sure don't want that particular female to be president, and they are only just now getting in touch with their racist side. As they do, they are finding it really matters to them that the president be a white male.

Rush rose to fame during the Newt Gingrich Contract With America years, when both he and Newt pursued the same winning strategy. They just watched which direction the crowd was already marching, then ran out in front and yelled, "Hey everybody, this way!" It's worked for a long time and there's no reason it would fail now. FOX News should get a clue: hating everybody is the best way to engage their audience.

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/76658/

[whistle]

1. I sense that has already begun among righties

[laconicsax]

2. When did they not hate everyone?

[KharmaTrain]

3. Hard Times In Hate Radioland...

I recently spoke with a good acquaintance who manages several talk radio stations...all that carry one right wing spewer or another. A couple years ago, these stations were profitable...the local bank, car dealers and other big money advertisers were regular customers...no matter how outrageous or slanderous the content. While he'd run into an occasional client who'd turn the station down, but in the "salad days" of the first booooosh term, times were still pretty good. That's not the case now.

Radio overall is suffering from its own credit crunch...large corporates are suffering from their largess of the 90's...lots of radio stations that are losing money and with every "fix" the problem gets worse. My friend confided that his talk stations have been some of the worst hit in the past year...customers who once were an easy renewal no longer want their names in and around "controversial" shows and they see more "bang for the buck" advertising on other formats. They'd rather throw money at a bunch of guys arguing about sports than politics...the climate is too raw. With the economy in the shitter, advertising money has dried up as well...especially in radio, but there are few alternatives. These stations have cheapened themselves beyond cheap...many are just a PC hooked up to a satellite and transmitter...and they're stuck with what they're doing.

The real calamity is that hate radio feels it drives the "conservative agenda"...the egos of most of these "hosts" have always been hot...but now we're seeing it in a different mold. In the past it was who could bash Clinton the worst or kiss boooosh's ass the deepest...but now we're seeing them go after one of their own...the same over-the-top antics...but this time its at their core audience.

The hopes are repugnians lose big this year so that the format will "rise" based on being in the opposition. I think the damage has been done...credibility and trust shreaded and the financial liabilities have been exposed. Hate radio is starting its death throes...it will take a few years, but the country is changing, the economy is worsening and people are tuning out.

[Iris]

4. so we'll look forward to "the summer of hate" this year!

nice. Those conservatives are so positive! If something is going to change... hate it!