Posted on 05/20/2004 7:27:38 PM PDT by wagglebee
Air America Radio, the new leftwing syndicated radio network, is desperate for a cash infusion, Reuters reported Thursday evening.
So desperate that sources close to the company say that "Democratic heavyweights as Sen. Hillary Clinton, her husband, former President Bill Clinton and billionaire investor George Soros have been appraised of the money-raising efforts."
The network has been floundering almost from the get-go, with the business hemorrhaging cash and debts growing.
Air America's woes became evident just weeks ago when CEO Evan Cohen was ousted.
"This venture is not dead and it's not going to die," Mike Papantonio, a backer of Air America who also co-hosts a talk show with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., told Reuters. "I am a businessman and I see this as a great business opportunity."
The wire service reported that the backers include trial attorney Papantonio, Chicago businessman Sheldon Drobny, and Rob Glaser, chairman of RealNetworks Inc. -- all of whom have promised to invest more funds to keep the company afloat.
The company says its business plan calls for $8 million in new capital and that fundraising is underway.
Air America shows include the O'Franken Factor, with comedian Al O'Franken, and another program with activist and actress Janeane Garofalo.
As for their financial woes, company insiders won't blame bad management or lack of market interest.
Instead they have a right-wing conspiracy right in their roost.
Reuters reported: "Papantonio and others attributed the company's troubles thus far to mismanagement by Cohen, a former Republican political operative in Guam."
Tell them not to worry about it. NPR will pick up the slack.
Gee, I wonder if they were also apprised.
They should go seek their friend Osama Bin Laden (mit geld).
Soros will probably open up his checkbook and write out a check for the full $8 million.
He can't do that. He has his head in a warm, dark, stinky place.
Warms the cockles of my heart...
Call notorious leftie Brad Pitt, his new film just made $45 million at the box office.
LOL!
A real businessman would have never invested time and money into such a money-losing venture in the first place.
Soros says he'll spend as much money as he has to defeat W. But Soros isn't a dummy, and he's not going to flush $8,000,000 down the toilet to support the ego of "O'Franken".
Expect Soros' contribution to be more behind the scenes.
Yeah, I uninstalled RealPlayer eons ago.
Can't be too great a businessman then!
"This venture is not dead and it's not going to die,"
"Very well! We'll call it a draw!"
I don't see any Hollywood eletes' names listed in the go to list. You'd think someone like Barbra, Susan Sarandon, Rob Reiner, Alec Baldwin, Martin Sheen would be willing to pony up some $$. Or maybe they arent willing to put their money where their mouthes are.
and an audience...and talent...and a cohernet message...and reality...
"I'm not dead yet..."
"Yes you are! You'll be stone dead in a moment."
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