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"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....

"Andrew Kohut, the highly regarded pollster for Times-Mirror..."

Which explains why nobody's ever heard of him.

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

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!

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.

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...

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.

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.