Recently I was on the air with Michael Medved, who acknowledged at least, the validity of the topic, as a topic! However, his take, again in accord with yours, was that it was a waste of time and might damage our chances of winning (although to whom "our" refers is another good question) in 2014.
I agree that the next two elections are absolutely vital to the preservation of the Republic, and that NOTHING should be done to jeopardize even slightly "our" chances of removing Team Obama from dominance in Congress.
Nonetheless, the issues remain. What is a citizen? What is a 'natural born Citizen?' Is the child of two (legal or)illegal aliens a citizen? A 'natural born Citizen?' The SCOTUS has abdicated on these issues. If 'Talk Radio' has any effect at all, shouldn't it be inspiring the listeners to urge the courts and officials to do their constitutional duty?
As missionaries converting non-believers, the talk jocks have been spectacularly UN-successful. In fact, it might be said that they don't even do a good job of preaching to the choir! E.G., In regard to the non-voting 'conservatives,' i.e., that 4 million or so of the electorate who abandoned the field to Obama in 2012: of what earthly political use is "Conservative Talk Radio" if can't even get "OUR" lo-info voters off the couch?
"Conservative Talk Radio" is commercial radio. Its purpose is to sell gold bars and trick mattresses to a well-defined audience. The 'gimmick?' The 'marketing hook?' Preaching to the choir; fussin' and fulminatin' like "conservatives" gathered 'round the bar at the VFW or Elks.
IMNSVHO, a political movement is not on sure ground when its self-proclaimed 'philosophers' are using the politics of the audience to sell them software, gold brick, and trick mattresses.
I agree that the “what is a citizen” is a relevant issue. I agree that Obama’s birth certificate is also extremely relevant. I love Sheriff Joe for the work he is doing as it at least puts out the evidence for all who are willing to look at it.
Now What?? If the congressmen refuse to take up the issue, if the courts, as a whole, refuse to give anyone “standing”, if the SCOTUS refuses to look at the case - barring armed revolution, what can we do??
As to Rush and Levin - who else explains conservatism better and more clearly than they and with the level of entertainment as they do? Rush alone has an audience of 20 million - you don’t think he’s had a positive influence on the country at all? He himself, after this last election, has stated that the problem he and other conservative talk show people have had is that they all assumed that Americans, in general, could be reasoned with and could follow a logical thought.
Rush has also stated that he always believed that if one could explain conservatism to people, as opposed to liberalism, that conservatism would win every time, but the problem is reaching the low-information voters who DO NOT GIVE A D-MN about politics except where it affects them with the freebies. The way Rush puts it, “How do you compete against Santa Claus?”. They don’t care about balancing a budget, securing the borders, socialized medicine - until it somehow affects them. And, they don’t listen to Rush.
Is it Rush’s responsibility for him to reach the idiots? You say his show is preaching to the choir, isn’t preaching meant to inspire the congregation to go out themselves and share what they’ve learned?? Is it the pastor’s job to reach all the lost? No, it is up to that congregation. It is up to conservative talk show listeners to take that info and talk to our neighbors, family members, and co-workers, etc. They will listen to us where they would never listen to a talk show.
Rush has also pointed out how every item of Obama’s agenda, healthcare, fast and furious, illegal aliens - the majority of Americans oppose Obama’s stand on these things - yet, he still commands decent ratings because many Americans do not attribute the lousy economy, the monstrosity that is Obamacare, etc. with Obama. It’s like he hasn’t been governing for the last 5 years. How does one get through that kind of mindset??
As to Rush and others “not even getting our low-info” voters out - I ask you, what more can be done to reach quasi-conservatives?? If, after 4 years of Obama, they cannot see the problem, assuming a quasi-conservative is more politically educated than the “47%” takers and low-info liberals, what the hell else could be done to get them off the couch to vote?
Rush presents conservatism in as clear, entertaining, and educational way as I’ve ever heard. That’s why his program has the largest following of ANY other talk radio program.
What would you do differently from Rush if you were in Rush’s shoes? What would you do to reach the low-info voters that he and Levin aren’t doing?
As to the selling of “stuff” on these programs - they have to do advertising to make money. These are for-profit programs. If they don’t do that they won’t stay on the air. Stations won’t subscribe to their programs without it. They are not NPR. Does NPR have the listener-ship of the conservative talk shows? Not even close.