DEMS TO CHALLENGE LIMBAUGH: WASHINGTON -- Hoping to claim their place on the talk-radio dial, Democrats borrowed a page out of the Republican primer and brought more than 30 "progressive" radio talkshow hosts to the nation's capital this week for two days of red-carpet treatment.
The gathering was organized by Democracy Radio, a privately funded org launched in the fall to provide an antidote to conservative talk radio. The org's first task is to build a relationship with liberal-minded hosts and help them build their auds.
Democracy Radio also intends to create new programming for stations around the country.
President Clinton -- who provided round-the-clock material for the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity -- has been approached about playing some sort of role. While he may have entertained the idea, he has no immediate plans to do so.
"We believe that the public trust that is radio has to a great extent been betrayed because of right-wing domination of the airwaves. We were created to try and counterbalance that dominate presence," Democracy Radio founder and exec director Tom Athens said.
"We're not advocating purely progressive talk radio, we just want there to be more than one perspective."
Many Democrats blamed right-wing radio for the Republican sweep in November's midterm national election.
Over the past decade, Republicans have built relationships with conservative radio show hosts, making sure they have access to guests as well to talking points laying out the party's message on particular issues. The Republican National Committee Radio Services Dept. has done much of the work.
The RNC also brought radio talkshow hosts to Washington this week, tied to President Bush's State of the Union speech.
"My advice, they need to study what Republicans have done. Figure out how the other guys do it. I think Democrats often feel more comfortable talking about nuanced positions," said Tom Taylor, publisher of trade pub Inside Radio.
The schedule put together by Democracy Radio included briefings on Tuesday by Capitol Hill lawmakers on such issues as the economy, health care, national security and foreign policy.
Wednesday, the radio hosts broadcast live from the Capitol Hill, providing coverage of Bush's speech. Democracy Radio made sure they had access to lawmakers.
"Conservative talkshows have dominated the airwaves for far too long and Democrats are committed to helping progressive talkshows, both as currently as they exist and to create more shows," said Ranit Schmelzer, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.).
That's entertainment
Athens said it's a myth that a liberal talkshow host can't be captivating or every bit as entertaining as a Rush Limbaugh.
One of the radio personalities hosted by Democracy Radio was Randi Rhodes, who has a popular show on WJNO 1290 (AM) in South Florida. "She's (not) erudite. She's not an egghead who is talking complex political theory. She is talking straight. She is funny. She is irreverent," Athens said.
Other radio hosts accepting Democracy Radio's invite included Mitch Albom, Mike Ward and Guy James. Athens declined to provide a full list. |
