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Talk radio - liberals don't have a clue
TownHall.com ^ | 3/05/03 | David Limbaugh

Posted on 03/04/2003 11:45:18 PM PST by kattracks

This latest effort by liberals to find a radio talk dynamo to nullify my brother Rush and other conservative talk show hosts is nothing short of remarkable. What's that about imitation and flattery?

The Left was so used to its media monopoly before Rush came along they apparently forgot what it was like to compete in the marketplace of ideas. The truth is, they can't handle competition too well in any field.

It wasn't just the major media they controlled. They've dominated American universities for over a generation, and you ought to see some of the utter silliness that passes for scholarship at these institutions -- if you haven't already.

That's what a monopoly climate does to quality. These eggheads are so busy patting themselves on the back for their pseudo-intellectual sophistry, they've long ago subordinated educational excellence to their higher priority of social engineering.

The same is true of our K-12 public schools. The education establishment is using its money and influence -- not to mention coerced union dues -- to insulate itself from the competition that school choice initiatives would deliver. Their protected monopoly breeds the insane, anti-educational psychobabble that pervades our schools, from outcome-based education and multiculturalism to sexual orientation lunacy.

Rush literally pulled himself up by his own bootstraps and took by surprise the dominant media culture -- a culture spoiled and corrupted by its monopoly. When they finally realized what hit them, these self-proclaimed "choice" advocates tried to use the power of government, via the misnamed "Fairness Doctrine," to shut him down.

They've tried various other methods, such as repeated slander and distortions, but none of them have worked. Now, the genie of conservative talk is out of the bottle and into the mainstream, never to be recaptured and suppressed.

At their wit's end, the liberal establishment is pulling out all the stops to find an answer to Rush. Since their coercive schemes failed, they're going to try buying their way into the market with some grandiose $10,000,000 scheme reportedly featuring the politically humorless Al Franken. It's hardly surprising they are delusional enough to believe they can solve this problem, too, simply by throwing money at it.

We don't have to wait for the answer to whether their experiment will work because it has already been tried -- again and again -- and failed. If there were a market for liberal talk radio, at least one of the hundreds of liberal hosts that have tried it would have succeeded. The question we don't know the answer to is what excuse they'll serve up next when this effort bombs.

One liberal writer may have provided a clue as to what they'll say. Jon Margolis, in the Chicago Tribune, offered a theory as to why conservative talk radio is so popular. There's no reason his bizarre little theory won't work for them in the future as well. Margolis said the reason conservative radio is so successful is that there's a ready-made audience of disgruntled right-wingers out there, and conservative talkers merely cater to their "social resentments."

"The niche," said Margolis, "is disappointed people, mostly men. Andrew Kohut, the highly regarded pollster for Times-Mirror, has described the 'typical Limbaugh listener' as a 'white male, suburbanite, conservative (with a) better-than-average job but not really a great job. Frustrated with the system, with the way the world of Washington works. Frustrated by cultural change. Maybe threatened by women.' Somebody, in short, who is not as rich, powerful or famous as he thinks he should be, and who wants to blame outside forces. The talk-show hosts help. They blame cultural (but rarely economic) elites and the government for the world's ills and regularly reinforce the listener's sense of being scorned and ridiculed."

I hate to disappoint Mr. Margolis, but it is not selfish ambition, economic discontentment or social frustration that motivates conservatives. What they are passionate about is their belief in freedom and the foundational values underlying it. Their outrage is reserved for those who are doing everything they can to strip America of the very things that have made it great. It is not their love of self that drives their interest in politics, but their love of country.

Mr. Margolis's utter arrogance and cluelessness about conservatives is representative of the obliviousness that guarantees the continued failure of liberal talk radio. If he and his fellow travelers want liberal talk to work, they should try shedding their elitism and superiority -- but to do that would require them to shed their liberalism. If they do so, they'll succeed -- in conservative talk radio.

©2003 Creators Syndicate, Inc.

Contact David Limbaugh | Read his biography



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
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1 posted on 03/04/2003 11:45:18 PM PST by kattracks
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To: kattracks; hellinahandcart
"Mr. Margolis's utter arrogance and cluelessness about conservatives is representative of the obliviousness that guarantees the continued failure of liberal talk radio."

Bears repeating....

2 posted on 03/04/2003 11:49:02 PM PST by sauropod (If women can't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy...)
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To: kattracks
"Andrew Kohut, the highly regarded pollster for Times-Mirror..."

Which explains why nobody's ever heard of him.

3 posted on 03/04/2003 11:51:56 PM PST by Dont Mention the War
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To: kattracks
Since their coercive schemes failed, they're going to try buying their way into the market with some grandiose $10,000,000 scheme reportedly featuring the politically humorless Al Franken. It's hardly surprising they are delusional enough to believe they can solve this problem, too, simply by throwing money at it.

Face it, The liberal don't get it and they never will

But hey look at the bright side, they will go broke trying

4 posted on 03/04/2003 11:58:32 PM PST by Mo1 (Free Miguel Estrada !!!)
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To: kattracks
Andrew Kohut, the highly regarded pollster for Times-Mirror, has described the 'typical Limbaugh listener' as a 'white male, suburbanite, conservative (with a) better-than-average job but not really a great job. Frustrated with the system, with the way the world of Washington works. Frustrated by cultural change. Maybe threatened by women.'

What a rip. Totally clueless. I discuss Rush with my friends all the time, and they are all women!

5 posted on 03/05/2003 12:47:49 AM PST by I still care
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To: I still care
Obviously he's never met Bo Snerdly. Never listened to his show either. I actually got to talk to Rush for the first time on open-line Friday. It was worth the wait and I made him laugh with my PhD joke (pigeon holing democrats). It was great.

My job is good, but not the best as is the case with any place where you aren't working for yourself. I'm a woman, and I'm the daughter of immigrants. He needs to get his facts straight.
6 posted on 03/05/2003 1:01:24 AM PST by cyborg
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To: cyborg; I still care
'typical Limbaugh listener' as a 'white male, suburbanite, conservative (with a) better-than-average job but not really a great job. Frustrated with the system, with the way the world of Washington works. Frustrated by cultural change. Maybe threatened by women.' Somebody, in short, who is not as rich, powerful or famous as he thinks he should be, and who wants to blame outside forces

Ditto to both of your comments!! Since I'm a white, 64 yr old "straight" grandmother, I don't fit into their description of the typical Limbaugh listner. Does this make me a MINORITY??

7 posted on 03/05/2003 2:35:01 AM PST by Elkiejg
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To: Elkiejg
Try a 21 year old black woman and Andrew Kohut wont have a clue about his "typical" Rush listener. ;-)
8 posted on 03/05/2003 3:07:15 AM PST by goldstategop
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To: kattracks
The biggest problem the liberals have is that their core constituency are uneducated and stupid. They will never listen to liberal talk radio (or any kind of talk radio except perhaps Howard Stern), they will just sit around watching Oprah, game shows and sitcoms.

There just aren't enough pointy-headed, Volvo-driving NPR-listening types to justify a commercial radio venture.

9 posted on 03/05/2003 3:19:31 AM PST by SamAdams76 (California wine tastes better - boycott French wine!)
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To: goldstategop
Try a 21 year old black woman

If you are --- we're both an endangered species!!

10 posted on 03/05/2003 3:29:56 AM PST by Elkiejg
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To: Dont Mention the War
"Andrew Kohut, the highly regarded pollster for Times-Mirror..."

Which explains why nobody's ever heard of him.

Not true. He's on NPR all the time which must mean he's really smart and always right.

11 posted on 03/05/2003 3:33:34 AM PST by jalisco555
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To: kattracks
katt, all this talk about liberal talk radio ( from the left ) is such typical drivel- first, they are trying to buy ( with someone else's money- remind you of what they do with taxes? ) what cannot be purchased, but must be won by hard work and time.

Second, years ago Ken Hamblin ( love the man, he speaks for me 90% of the time ) noted that you have to listen to his ( or anyone else's ) show for at least a few weeks, every day, to even get a clue about the host and his positions.

My point about that is, it's obvious from their comments the Left never listens-- how can they? They never shut up talking...

12 posted on 03/05/2003 3:40:44 AM PST by backhoe (The 1990's will be forever remembered as "The Decade of Fraud(s)...")
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To: kattracks
That's what a monopoly climate does to quality. These eggheads are so busy patting themselves on the back for their pseudo-intellectual sophistry, they've long ago subordinated educational excellence to their higher priority of social engineering.

This paragraph alone is rich in humor and droll imagery. And the entire article reveals the arrogance of those who try to pigeonhole conservatives as uneducated, gun-toting, "stupid white males". They can't handle those of us who are conservative, female, and highly educated, who either don't listen to or even laugh at their silly excuses for logic.

13 posted on 03/05/2003 4:36:11 AM PST by alwaysconservative ("All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke)
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Comment #14 Removed by Moderator

Comment #15 Removed by Moderator

To: Elkiejg; goldstategop
That's the funny thing. MOST of the Limbaugh fans I know are female. How are they going to pigeonhole us-- by implying that we're repressed and utterly dominated by our men? LOL

That's why this thing is doomed to failure. Anything that doesn't fit through their template, they reject. These guys are supposed to be professionals, and this is the job they do on demographics? "White frustrated male"?

What do they imagine *I* feel "threatened" by? As a woman, I don't want what the liberals are trying to sell me. How will they try to explain that?
16 posted on 03/05/2003 5:35:47 AM PST by hellinahandcart
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To: sauropod
Frustrated with the system, with the way the world of Washington works. Frustrated by cultural change. Maybe threatened by women.'

Failure to surrender your maleness does not mean you are "threatened by women".

Somebody, in short, who is not as rich, powerful or famous as he thinks he should be, and who wants to blame outside forces

Boy, can liberals *project*, or what?

17 posted on 03/05/2003 5:39:42 AM PST by hellinahandcart
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To: hellinahandcart
Maybe threatened by women.

Mrs. Slim does give me the evil eye occasionally. (Usually when I've been FReeping for hours instead of gardening.)

18 posted on 03/05/2003 5:48:19 AM PST by Tijeras_Slim
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To: hellinahandcart; backhoe; goldstategop; Elkiejg; Doctor Raoul
" "The niche," said Margolis, "is disappointed people, mostly men. Andrew Kohut, the highly regarded pollster for Times-Mirror, has described the 'typical Limbaugh listener' as a 'white male, suburbanite, conservative (with a) better-than-average job but not really a great job. Frustrated with the system, with the way the world of Washington works. Frustrated by cultural change. Maybe threatened by women.'"

I think Mr. Kohut and Mr. Margolis are threatened by women. Me, I love the women's movement. Especially walking behind it....

19 posted on 03/05/2003 5:50:12 AM PST by sauropod (If women can't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy...)
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To: kattracks
Someone posted the other day an interesting guideline on how to have an interesting and sucessful talk show. Now it was done as a slam, but having followed the trades for talk shows over the years and reading what the consultants are telling even the sucessful show hosts, it was pretty close to the money if you get past the sarcasm that was put in it.

1) START WITH YOU. A LOT OF YOU

Always open your show with an insufferable, protracted diatribe reiterating your stated point of view - the one that you've reiterated every single day before. It helps to vary your explanation of that same viewpoint, though not so much that you force your listener to think. Remember, repetition sells... repetition sells.... And repetition sells.

2) CHOOSE YOUR TOPIC CAREFULLY

State a supposition based on your topic of the day. The premise need not be all that factual, but all logic based on the premise that follows should be logical. In this way you're presenting the truth, as you have created it. The only thing that's faulty is the original premise -- and by the time you finish talking, no one will be able to remember what that was. Therefore, no matter where your diatribe takes you, you will be totally justified.

3) THE BLAME GAME: BE AGAINST SOMETHING

I cannot make this point more strongly. Find something to be against. This is not a concept to be taken lightly. Being for something garners the kind of ratings that necessitate public funds and the graveyard shift on NPR. If you want to be FOR something, don't be a talk show host. Join the Peace Corp. Railing against brings out the passion AND the audience; the fans who will follow you into war. The fans who will call other shows and talk about you. You will garner legions who'll write letters espousing your wisdom and shout your name on Larry King: devotees who will be willing to pay big bucks to see your kisser in person when you do your tour; disciples who will buy your books.

4) COMMITMENT

When you do commit against something (or someone), you must be willing to drive it unmercifully into the ground. I'm talking about using a wood on the green. Pedal to the medal, even on the victory lap. Tear down the park and put up a parking lot. If you have nothing to rail against, use Hollywood or the "wackos" who run it. It's a gimme.

5) ACTUAL NEWS

Aside from your standard antagonist, you will be privy to some yearly piece of news (or lack of news) which will have legs. Legs? A centipede would be jealous. These stories should last the entire year. If you're lucky, even longer. Remember some of the classics of the past decade? OJ Simpson, President Clinton, Campaign Finance Reform, Senator Clinton, Gary Condit. With the exception of Simpson, who still can be counted on to do something idiotic every few months, the others remain a viable treasure chest of daily grist.

6) DISSENT (THE ART OF HANGING UP)

Here's your opportunity to shine.

You probably know way more than anyone who would be willing to hang on the line for two hours to talk with you. When a insurgent gets though, pounce on him like a female tiger on a distracted gazelle. Let him state his point, then rip him a new one. Your fans will cheer you and awaiting dissident drone will cower from your mastery, limping back to the bunker to warn the waiting opposition troops.

Always remember, it's your show. You get the last word. Always be ready to articulate closing rhetorical questions at the drop of a hat. Most important, make sure you've already hung up on the caller. Here's a fun note. Never let the caller know you've hung up on them. They'll be responding to your statement for twenty minutes before they realize they're not on the air. That, in fact, is the real reason why we tell them to turn their radio down. I swear, it's a hoot.

Here's another caller tip. When a caller is about to rip apart your argument with facts, immediately hang up on him, then concede that it was your fault; that you hung up by mistake. Announce that if the caller calls back, you'll put him right through. (See YOUR SCREENER)

7) YOUR SCREENER (THE GATEKEEPER)

This trusted servant should NEVER put through any call that you just hung up on, no matter what. He should only let through the supporters of your position, or even better, lame defenders of the opposition. He should be sharp enough to differentiate between real fans who are only calling to agree and those who are faking it.

8) GUESTS

Keep to an absolute minimum. These guys have a habit of going off script. Try not to ask them any questions. In fact, try not to let them talk at all.

9) I TOLD YOU SO (TAKING CREDIT)

You can never be humble, although you must say you are. Always take credit as being at the forefront, if not totally responsible, for any positive change in the world. When anything happens as you have said they would, take thunderous credit. When things don't happen the way you forecasted they would happen, ignore it. And for God's sake, don't ever apologize.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Give your show a powerful, yet subtle maxim along the lines of "Genius On Board" or "Master Of All That Is Right And Good."

Constantly drop names of high-profile people you have golfed with.

Again, this was written with lot's of sarcasm. But it was also written with tons of inside stuff.

Sure Rush is one of a kind. But why hasn't Hannity or Ollie North or O'Rielly or Barry Farber or Savage or Neil Bortz or any of the tons of local and syndicated conservative hosts even come close to achieving Rush's sucess? They don't use much of the "meat" of what is above. And most lack one common thing. Humor. They can't rail about something in a humorous mode.

20 posted on 03/05/2003 6:42:47 AM PST by joesbucks
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