Posted on 08/29/2002 5:47:00 PM PDT by Arch-Conservative
I have noticed the broad spectrum of "conservative" opinions that emerge from the threads on this website. There is a similar diversity of "conservative" thought in talk radio, and I was wondering which of the preeminent talk hosts you identify most with - and, of course, why you choose that particular spokesman over the others.
To my mind, Limbaugh is still the undisputed Godfather of Talk Radio. But, beyond his substantial capacity for entertaining, he also is the closest embodiment of what I think conservatism is. He is consistent and confident. He rips liberalism on all fronts - whether it comes from Republicans or Democrats - but he is more consistently on the backs of the Democrats, International Liberals, and Green Party types. He doesn't sacrifice his beliefs for his party, but understands that the Republican Party is a right-leaning coalition - and, without it, conservatism has no outlet for victory. He espouses the greatness of America, mocks leftists of all stripes, and is generally good-natured and optimistic without being naive. His success, style, attitude and opinions are right in line with Reagan, and are the modern embodiment of what conservatism can accomplish. His program is ultimately about "the good life" - what it is, what it offers, and how to achieve it - which is exactly what conservatism is about.
Right behind Limbaugh, is Hannity. Hannity is Limbaughesque in his opinions, and has a charm and grace within his presentation that is vital to conservatism. He is more exemplary of the religious right than Limbaugh is - but, they generally come to the same conclusion. Hannity is not as experienced or as seasoned as Limbaugh, so his presentation lacks the insight that Limbaugh sometimes offers. He also sometimes beats a subject to death, and I prefer the non-interview format of Limbaugh. And, because of his connection to FoxNews, Hannity sometimes gets caught up on subjects that don't really have political implications (i.e. kidnappings, Catholic Church scandal, etc).
I've listened to Michael Savage, and his show is entertaining enough, but I think he represents an untrue stereotype of conservatives and Republicans that does not help the cause - the "angry white man". Sure, there are reasons to be angry at liberalism. No one is disputing the evils of liberalism, or the harm it does to the nation. But, to let liberals make you perpetually angry is to give them more power than they have earned. Conservatism is not an angry ideology - it is an optimistic, hopeful ideology. It is an ideology that stresses freedom and individuality, tempered by a moral compass. Savage, while right sometimes, simply does not embody the ideology he claims to espouse. He is an alarmist, and, to my mind, is the conservative equivalent of James Carville, and the environmental doomsayers. The second problem with Savage is that I don't think he is entirely conservative. He espouses the Buchanan version of conservatism, which is not necessarily conservative. He is generally right on domestic policy, but is out there on foreign policy and immigration. Immigration needs to be controlled, and illegal immigration needs to be cracked down on - but the problem is not immigrants, it is that immigrants are not being properly taught what it means to be American. Multiculturalism is the problem - not immigration.
Those are the three I know the most about - I'd be interested to hear your assessments.
Sincerest regards,
Adam D. Elrod
"The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left." -- Ecclesiastes 10:2
And that is on purpose. It is not an interview show. It is a show about Rush and what Rush thinks. Period. End of story. And that is one of the things that makes it so much better than shows that are guest driven.
Nobody watches Larry King to see what Larry thinks. Everyone listens to Rush to hear what Rush thinks.
Savage sucks as a talk show host, yet I think his "Borders, Language and Culture" is spot on.
AMEN!!! I posted before I saw your link...
Goin through withdraw this week, Quinn's on vacation..
Rush rocks! I really enjoy listening to RadioFR - we have a lot of home-grown talent right here!
Hannity is the most overrated host in the business. I met him once, and he was a nice enough guy, but he didn't seem terribly bright.
Michael Savage personifies everything that is wrong with talk radio -- he latched onto the "conservative wave" that was started by Rush Limbaugh, and carried it way too far. His shows are nothing more than strings of disconnected thoughts that don't even sound sincere half the time.
But I do give him credit for one thing -- he's come up with some memorable lines . . .
"Does anyone out there care about what I am saying? Or are you all just walking around with your hats on sideways?"
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