Right wing's strength in talk radio, new media frustrates Democrats ("Dangerous Tone")

In an updated critique of what Hillary Clinton once called the vast, right-wing conspiracy, Democrats are complaining bitterly about the power of a loose-knit network of conservative media voices.

Outgoing Senate Majority leader Tom Daschle blasts radio host Rush Limbaugh and "Limbaugh wannabees" for what he considers a shrill and dangerous tone. Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois, one of a new group of senators trying to reposition the Democrats in the wake of the Nov. 5 elections, tells National Public Radio that his party is struggling to overcome "station after station" of "right-wing screamers."

The complaints, which conservatives attribute to bitterness over losing, are a reaction to a gradual shift of political and media realities.

The days when the Associated Press, three major television networks and East Coast newspapers led by The Washington Post and The New York Times dominated the flow of political news are gone. Technological advances have spawned "narrowcasting" in which political communication can be tailored to niche audiences through cable channels, local radio stations and Web sites - all seemingly dominated by conservatives.

"Conservatives understand that so many Americans want their news when they want it and the way they want it. Conservatives are better marketers. They use all the tools of mass marketing better than liberals," said Michael Parks, director of the School of Journalism at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication.

"In a sense, it may be that Democrats are still rooted in a kind of populist culture, and they haven't realized everyone is going over to niches," added Parks, a Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent and former editor with The Los Angeles Times.

"Why do people go to niches? It's because there's so much news and information out there and the news consumer wants somebody who will give him or her a unique take on the world so they don't have to drink from the fire hose."

In a news conference Wednesday, Daschle, a South Dakota Democrat, lashed out at Limbaugh and other talk-show conservatives for fueling "an emotional movement in this country among some people who don't know the difference between entertainment and politics, and who are then so energized as to go out and hurt somebody."

Daschle did not provide specific examples of violence, except to say that when Limbaugh called him an "obstructionist" he and his family had worried.

Daschle lamented what he called a blurring of "entertainment and politics" by Limbaugh and other conservatives who use humor to make their points and said Democrats have concluded "we have to have the same edge that Republicans do."

Limbaugh, on his nationally syndicated, top-rated show, said Wednesday that the Democrats' real problem is that people no longer have to rely on the "leftist" big three TV networks and Eastern newspapers, led by The New York Times.

On the country's second-ranked radio talk show, Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican, told conservative host Sean Hannity that talk radio gave Republicans the winning edge in the election.

"I thank my father in heaven every day for people like you, Rush Limbaugh and others," Hatch told Hannity, who also has a show on the Fox News Channel.

Ralph Neas, president of the liberal People for the American Way, a Washington-based advocacy group, has witnessed the power of conservative media as his organization works against congressional confirmation of conservative judges.

"What we see now is an incredible echo chamber," Neas said. "You get a Wall Street Journal editorial in the morning. You then hear about it that day on talk radio and talk TV. It goes up on Web sites and it's debated in Internet chat rooms across the country.

"You add up all those niches and it reaches a lot of people. I think the progressive community has to face the reality, especially about talk radio and talk TV, and perhaps put together our own TV shows."

The emerging conservative media aren't new. In 1998, in the midst of the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Hillary Clinton blamed her husband's problems on a "vast right-wing conspiracy."

One of the few journalists ever named by the Clinton White House as part of such a conspir acy is Joseph Farah, then editor of The Sacramento Union and founder of the California- based Western Journalism Center, founded to fight what it saw as liberal media bias.

Farah launched WorldNetDaily (www.worldnetdaily.com) in 1997. It now has more than 3 million visitors a month and employs a dozen full-time editorial employees at headquarters in Cave Junction, Ore., and an office in Washington. The site is a frequently used bookmark for conservative talk radio hosts, and Farah and his reporters often are radio guests.

What Farah saw as a liberal media monopoly has been broken, but in his view, not beaten.

"Look at the numbers of people watching Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw and Dan Rather on the major network newscasts," he said. "There's still no comparison to Fox News and Web sites like ours. The battle is far from over. To start celebrating is very, very premature because this is still a David and Goliath struggle."

Klintons problems are now the 'Rats problems.

Wonderfully succinct, and true, statement.

There is a most satisfying justice in this. The lib 'Rats, with their near universal and intense hatred of Nixon (a phenomena by degree unparalleled in the modern presidency until Scumbag slithered into the Whitehouse and elicted the same from conservatives) should have known better. They watched the Pubbies suffer electorally from Nixon for the better part of a decade. This in spite of the fact that the RNC and the Pubbie constiuencies never got on their knees for Dick they way the DNC, unions, NOW, etc, did for Clinton in his disgrace.

Can you imagine what the fallout would have been for Republicans in the 70's (and beyond) if Nixon had remained a popular and prominent party figure? If he had been allowed to hand pick the RNC chairman, dictate the distribution of party campaign financing, personally dominate the Party in a major state, etc, etc? It is literally unimaginable, however, that Republicans would ever have allowed that to happen, and maybe even that Nixon himself would have (bastard that he was, he at least had a sense of shame).

Democrats, by constrast, believe that they can remain on their collective knees and tolerate all this and more from The Rapist simply because, unlike Nixon, he didn't shift his eyes or break a sweat while lying to (and scolding!) the American people and their courts. The hubris of this, and the continuing belief that they can not only avoid paying a price, but actually benefit from their open and eager embrace of Clintonism, is staggering.

'Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican, told conservative host Sean Hannity that talk radio gave Republicans the winning edge in the election. "I thank my father in heaven every day for people like you, Rush Limbaugh and others," Hatch told Hannity.'
Right now Hatch is skirting the edge like McCain as far as playing footsie with the Democrats. And that eery similarity to Senator Palpatine (later the Emperor in the Star Wars mythos) makes me think Orrin would be the last guy to pick up the check. Hatch is definitely the master of behind-the-scenes engineering in Congress now. Won't go so far as to compare the Mormons to the Sith, though. Our Islamericans are filling that role very well. ; )

Outgoing Senate Majority leader Tom Daschle blasts radio host Rush Limbaugh and "Limbaugh wannabees" for what he considers a shrill and dangerous tone.

So When Alec "bloviator " Baldwin was on national TV calling for the stoning of Henry Hyde and his family, how come Daschle wasn't talking about THAT shrill and dangerous tone? What about the "Assasins wanted" sign placed under the picture of GW Bush by the Conan O'Brian show? Does Puff have any comments about that "shrill and dangerous" tone?

Hurray! A speaker of the truth. I bugs me when the term 'liberal' is used because most of the time, today, it is used incorrectly and the term 'socialist' is the more correct label. Knowing how much the left has become paranoid about the label 'liberal', imagine what they would do if they had to try and seperate themselves from an indelible association with 'socialism.' Heh, heh, heh.

...let's agitate for defunding of the leftist propaganda strongholds...

Seems like a plan to me. I would appreciate input and criticism.

Where you expecting some response other than, "Amen, Brother!"? I would just say leave NPR be (for the time being). It's too polarizing a target. Start with the NGO grants. Out of power 'Rats -- and their aides and advisors too -- must be made to get real jobs, like ~~other~~ Americans, rather than effectively remaining on The Leviathan's teat while esconced at some crypto leftist foundation.

WRONG! Mr. Durbin is whistling thru the graveyard. What is really happening here is that before the advent of the various outlets for conservative news, the mainstream networks nearly had a complete monopoly on the mass population. With no other information, we followed like sheep that what we were told was true. How could we doubt Walter Cronkite when he told us 'that's the way it is'? Or Woodward & Bernstein of the Post giving their version of Watergate?

Now that the floodgates have been opened, people who internally had for years felt the country going down the wrong path, but had nowhere to go, left in droves. If there is any populist pockets left, it is widowed little old ladies who only watch TV and read the papers. But when you even got people like Paul Harvey spouting conservatism, does that even hold true?

Bottom line Mr. Durbin is that what you are seeing is called erosion, and it is not a good thing for you or your comrades. The word is out, and people are starting to see you for what you are. Better figure out how to fool them fast, or you are going to get chucked into the dustbin.

Actually, I wondered what feasibility these targets might have - and why.

For instance, you feel that NPR would polarize too many at this time, and I tend to agree that it would turn up the heat, but I would guess that the average American would not be stirred to anti-GOP action - rather, the opposite might occur.

Additionally, I was/am trolling for other vulnerable leftist softspots that might need to be cut out of government fat. I list the LSC and you spoke of NGO's, but I would like to compile a major list of specifics including programs and organizations.

At this time, I'm just floating these ideas to get more information that others may have and to reiterate the idea, in the minds of conservatives, that long-term damage needs to be inflicted on the left ASAP. Cut their vocal cords, drain their lifeblood and remove their private entry into American living rooms. Force the mainstream press into evermore tenuous positions of having to carry water for socialists and thereby add evidence to the bias and incredible nature of a failing propaganda front.

Hmmmm? I don't believe the "dangerous tone" label will stick any more than anything else the dems did has stuck.

To me the dems are the worst "SoreLoserman" people I have ever met.

Right in my own home - where my little 90 year old mom has just moved in - she's now watching FOX. She has always been a liberal, and never could say a descent word about Reagan - either as Gov or President. However, she was a fan of Bush (41), so she's sort of happy with Bush (43). However, SHE LOVES LAURA BUSH - can you beat that??

Maybe I'm wrong about it, but don't you think folks want to hear a clear message along the lines of:

"In good times, everyone spends money a little bit liberally and America certainly has tried to do that with the idea of a public radio system that brought unbiased news to all Americans. It was a good idea then and it has served us well.

Unfortunately, today, too many Americans are worried about their jobs and financial futures. Everyone, including government needs to reappraise their spending and cut fat where it needs to be cut. Today, NPR/PBS has grown into adulthood and with digital technology beyond the capabilities of many corporate media outlets, they are able to solicit donations and trust money from a wider range of willing donors than was ever possible at their inception.

With such marvelous abilities, the time has come to send a favorite child out of the house and into the world to make it on its own. Every American understands this concept and, indeed, practices this as we prepare our children for responsible adulthood. Today is the day that we mark the graduation of the NPR/PBS experiment of thirty years ago.

As Americans tighten their economic belts and hunker down for the war against terrorism, they also look to their government to lead the way by practicing the leadership of example. Observing this principle, we salute the good work of PBS/NPR and wish them the best in their independant role. Thank you and good night."

Liberals feel bad. Liberals have every major newspaper except two, all of Hollywood, film companies and movies, most actors, and all directors. Then liberals have live theater, all network news programs, (with the exception of FOX)all news anchors, and news magazine shows. Conservatives have talk radio. I can see why they want to take that away from us. Having 99% is never enough for the greedy liberals.

"I thank my father in heaven every day for people like you, Rush Limbaugh and others," Hatch told Hannity, who also has a show on the Fox News Channel.

Do you Mr. Hatch?

Having scrolled through the 100% positive response to this story I'd like to take this moment and a blow a loud and noisey fart into this Cheer.....................

Things can also go the other way, Mr. Hatch.

People are sick of the illegal immigration that comes from our southern neighbor, Mr. Hatch. People are also getting a little tired of the trial balloons and accomidation shown by the Bush administration towards Senor Fox and his Marxist Ministers, that said recently that they will take a more militant line towards lobbying for amnesty. Are you listening Mr. Hatch?

Well we are, Mr. Hatch. Please do not forget the peasents with the pitchforks that could also show up at the castle embattlements asking for redress of their grievances.

Additionally, what do you say to the recent revelations about Saudi money funneled to the 911 terrorists, Mr. Hatch? You will be in charge of the Judiciary Committee in the Senate come January. What will you do, Mr. Hatch? Schedule Hearings, Mr. Hatch? After all, Mr. Hatch, this administration has designated many country's citizens targets of special analysis by those in charge of granting Visas.................Except for those of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Hatch.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Sorry folks, but I just had to get that out.

At the same time, they are required to praise everything a Clinton...

There's a chance I would watch if it wasn't so mind-numbing. My local news is the worst - fake smiles, cute answers to stupid questions, self-absorbed hosts - and then they bust into a story on what's best for YOUR children. It's not really news anymore. About all I can stand is a muted weather forecast...

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.