Wishful liberal thinking about liberal talk radio

Ever since Rush Limbaugh and his radio show became a force in American politics, prompting the rise of a legion of conservative talk radio hosts, liberals have been desperate to come up with their own talk radio show to rival the mighty El Rushbo.  Rush himself often chuckles about this.  Despite the media blitz in support of Air America, that network hasn't taken off except in very fringe markets (though it may be that Franken will soon be broadcasting on prison radio).

None of this has made a dent in the liberals' (desperate) hope that the 'conservative grip' on talk radio is slipping.  Witness this piece from Knight Ridder's Steven Thomma:

A decade after Republicans credited Limbaugh with helping them win control of Congress - they called him the Majority Maker - they still look to his conservative-dominated medium for a lopsided communications edge over Democrats. Today, they count on talk radio to rally support for President Bush, attack those who criticize or question him, and stir passions leading into the 2006 midterm congressional elections.

There are signs that the Republicans could be losing some of their overwhelming edge, however. Ratings for Limbaugh and Hannity slipped this spring in some markets. Liberals such as Ed Schultz, Stephanie Miller and Al Franken are carving out their own radio niche. And Democrats argue that they have an edge on the Internet, where explosive growth could dwarf the political impact of radio.

Riiighhhttt.

Libs hover over the talk radio ratings, looking for any sign that the mighty Rush is slipping.  When they see it, they go crazy with joy and start predicting that talk radio is dead, that the American people are getting tired of it, and that Rush will soon be reduced to a single low-power AM station in Buzzard's Breath, ND.  So far, they've never been right.  And they've certainly never been right when they've predicted that liberal talk radio is poised to take over the airwaves from conservatives.

But they keep hoping.

Comments

[Ari Kaufman]

Not only do I disagree with Arab America's politics, but it is a POORLY run network. It's all hate toward this country and Bush, disguised - of course - as patriotic dissent. Randi Rhodes is so awful and condescending that she truly makes me physically nauseous. Franken, like Garafolo, is a loser.

[Eric]

Another well thought comment from the highly educated, conservative educators' corner-

"Franken, like Garfolo, is a loser."

Excellent. That will show 'em.

Once again, someone who is guilty of 'being' what they say they 'hate'. Give him some oxycontin and a show...Limbaugh is getting old.