"The liberal Air America Radio, just past its first birthday, has probably enjoyed more free publicity than any enterprise in recent history. But don't believe the hype: Air America's left-wing answer to conservative talk radio is failing, just as previous efforts to find liberal Rush Limbaughs have failed. ...
"Air America's ratings [are] pitifully weak, even in places where you would think they'd be strong. WLIB, its flagship in New York City, has sunk to 24th in the metro area Arbitron ratings. ... In the liberal meccas of San Francisco and Los Angeles, Air America is doing lousier still. ...
"Unable to prosper in the medium, liberals have taken to denouncing talk radio as a threat to democracy. Liberal political columnist Hendrik Hertzberg, writing in the New Yorker, is typically venomous. Conservative talk radio represents 'vicious, untreated political sewage' and 'niche entertainment for the spiritually unattractive,' Hertzberg sneers."
— Brian C. Anderson, writing on "Why the Liberals Can't Keep Air America From Spiraling In," April 18 in the Los Angeles Times |
