AM Talk Re-Energized

[Ferreri]

This may be moved by the editor, however, didn't know where to post. The greatest thing ever to happen to Rush Limbaugh (with the exception of the Clintons) is Obama! The admisnistration played right into a promoter's dream fantasy. (Somewhere Scott Robbins is smiling). They crowned Rush as the "leader" of the right. Today, Rush challenges Obama to come on the show in studio for a debate. It is a win/win for Limbaugh and Obama, although brilliant, can not win. The free ink and over the air press that Limbaugh will get will be huge. Obama has given Rush at least 4 more years of increased visibility and upward ratings. Although Limbaugh's beliefs are strong, the Obama administration fails to realize that this is "show biz". We who have been in the business have to love this great theatre taking place.

 

[sbe1]

Rush is really talented love him or leave him. He sure knows how to capitalize on an opportunity. The closest thing I can remember similar here is the Power Pig making the poing that Q105 plays a lot of commercials. The Power Pig guy would say paraphrasing: "If you dont believe us, check them out, we'll wait for you" Meanwhile Q105 was in the middle of a load of spots. That took a lot of balls.... We need that again in today's world.

 

[smedge2006]

I'd think the biggest worry in all this for radio would be Press Secretary Robert Gibbs admission that he doesn't own a radio. :

I don't want to turn this into a political discussion, but the Dems went into this counting on Rush to react as he did. He is not their target here, just a fulcrum.

 

[John Waywoods]

This may help Rush's ratings. That is not a consideration that the Dems give a damn about. If you think that this is big and will hurt the presidency - to put it in a way to not insult anyone - you are missing the complete picture. This is a fight between two political parties. Those who get in the way will be run over or used to somebody's benefit.

 

[DToTheJ]

I know he publicly said he didn't want to officially be the next RNC chairman, but deep down inside, you just know Rush wants to! Of course, he's tied to something like an eight-year contract with Clear Channel, so even if he is one of those that has to pay Obama's high taxes on the rich, he is in it for the long haul!

 

[Mike_Hennessy]

Frank, I have to agree with Smedge on this one. The White House went after Rush with the idea of making him the de-facto voice of the Republican party. The fact that the last couple of people to gainsay him (including the ostensible party chairman) have gone crawling back to ask for forgiveness shows the strategy is working. We who have worked in radio forget that while Rush is a massive presence (literally and figuratively) in the industry, he only represents a very small part of the overall body politic. The White House is being extremely shrewd by exploiting Rush's ego to further marginalize the Republican party. Sure Rush is going to a ratings bonanza (in radio terms) because of this, but I'm sure Obama and company are happy to accept that in return for the damage that's being done to what used to be the Grand Ol' Party. Put it this way: even with higher ratings Rush won't be any more of a nuisance than he is now. The real threat would be if the Republican party can somehow reorganize itself and find some new ideas for actually dealing with the crisis instead of cotowing to the Rush Limbaughs and Joe the Plumbers.

 

[Wazzie]

Obama has given Rush at least 4 more years of increased visibility and upward ratings.

4 more years? Rush is grossly overweight, smokes cigars and apparently the only excersise he gets is jumping to conclusions. And no, I'm not going to mention the drug problem. Hopefully, he sees the light and starts taking better care of himself. Otherwise, his half a billion dollar Premiere contract might last longer than him.

As far as Rush being an influence on the Obama White House in 2009+... Rush didn't do much for the 2008 elections. You've got to give the man props... he knows how to keep his audience happy, just like Will Rogers did. (Come to think of it, Hitler was pretty good at it too). (sidenote) Remember the song parody "Barack, The Magic Negro"? I'd like Rush to play that at a National NAACP meeting and see what they think. Somehow, I don't think they'd sing along!

The problem with Rush and all the wannabes is, if Obama could turn this economy around and the America soars again, talk radio will find more fault with that. Rush and his dildoheads can not and will not give any positive credit to a Dem. NEITHER party is without fault. And both partys DO have shining stars in them. If we could just flush the turds and get the good people to work together.

 

[Ferreri]

My original post was intended to be non-political. Personality and beliefs aside, the administration did Limbaugh, his advertisers, his ego, and affiliates a huge favor. Before the election did you see his name in print or mentioned on the news? Granted, Mike, the adminstration may be using him, however, he's a guy with a daily pulpit for 3 hours and 20 million (his number) followers. From purely a promotional aspect, this is a boon for Limbaugh.

 

[dwtpa97]

Ferrari is right. This is a win-win for both Rush and the Democrats. It raises Rush's visibility and ratings, and establishes him (for awhile anyway) as the spokesman for the Republican Party, and at the same time allows the Democrats to pull in centrists and moderates who normally would tend to move back and forth between the two parties. It'll probably all settle out in a few weeks.

 

[MsMusicRadio]

I guess I'm out of the loop. The only time I hear Rush, Hannity, Beck, or O'Reilly is on Olbermann. The Daily Show, or Colbert. I admit that these shows are as much "entertainment" as conservative radio, but I like those guys. I really like Keith because he energizes my side as no talking head has ever done. He is fat too, so he says.

If you want to look to a celebrity who might have influenced the election, try Katie Couric and Tina Fey. I'm proud that women helped bring down that house of cards.

Just my opinion.

 

[Studio20]

You actually in your heart of hearts believe that Katie Couric and Tina Fey had that much of an influence on the past election?

McCain was dead in the water from the night he was nominated. Fey could have stayed away working on that mediocre show, never once showing up as the Vice Presidential nominee and nothing would have changed. Couric? The near flirting that she did with the then Senator Obama was nauseating....

Limbaugh has taken the bait of the Democrats. Since we are the furthest from the 2012 election, they will merely toy with him, then when he is at his highest peak, pull out some other scandal hes sitting on...something financial or personal or maybe the drug thing again..and he will fall like anyone else.

It's nothing more than a cheesy reality show...unfortnuately, the whole messy process is costing our economy billions in the process.

But please don't insult our intelligence by using the name "Katie Couric" and "influence" in the same sentence.

 

[Mike_Hennessy]

My original post was intended to be non-political. Personality and beliefs aside, the administration did Limbaugh, his advertisers, his ego, and affiliates a huge favor. Before the election did you see his name in print or mentioned on the news? Granted, Mike, the adminstration may be using him, however, he's a guy with a daily pulpit for 3 hours and 20 million (his number) followers. From purely a promotional aspect, this is a boon for Limbaugh.

Frank, trying to discuss Limbaugh without discussing politics is kind of like trying to talk about Madonna without talking about sex. I certainly don't disagree that this is a boon for Rush. If ever there were proof that Barnum was right when he said there's no such thing as bad publicity, it's El Rushbo. The only real loser in the deal is the republican party.

 

[dwtpa97]

The previous posts are correct - it's a win for Rush and a real problem for other Republicans. Although Rush is extremely popular with his core listeners, he is equally a turnoff to a great many other people. Any Republican that publicly takes issue with Rush risks being taken to task by Rush. For however long this squabble continues, Republicans have little choice but to bite their tongues and let Rush define the issues.

 

[MsMusicRadio]

Since Katie Couric is obviously a dud, who would anybody consider women in the media that are truly influential?

 

[Mike_Hennessy]

Since Katie Couric is obviously a dud, who would anybody consider women in the media that are truly influential?

Campbell Brown is getting there in my book. Great combination of brains, savvy and, oh yeah, drop dead gorgeous. I'm a guy and can be a bit shallow when it comes to looks, but I will say in my own defense that I notice looks, but her combination of brains and savvy is what really interests me. Of course, Helen Thomas has been driving the Washington press corps agenda for decades with her own brains and savvy.

 

[DToTheJ]

Campbell Brown is getting there in my book. Great combination of brains, savvy and, oh yeah, drop dead gorgeous.

Isn't that exactly why CNN hired Paula Zahn to do their morning show a few years ago? You recall that controversial ad campaign that informed viewers to tune into a morning show whose host is "smart, sophisticated, and oh yeah, just a little sexy..."

I think their morning show is doing worlds better with Kiran and John co-hosting.

 

[sbe1]

agreed that Paula Zahn is one very good looker, but she comes across as a royal B**ch. Rhymes with witch. That negates the looks. My choice for TV news is FOX, because their newsbabes live up the their name.... Foxes. CNN has some lookers but many of them you need to feed them Alpo.
Just one knuckledragger pigs opinion.