We're always trying to decide who's our favorite Republican. (It's not unlike trying to name our our favorite urological procedure- we may even change the name of this blog to BladderWatch).
(We've favored Secretary of State Sam Reed, the champion of democracy who stuck his neck way out by following the law despite heavy Party pressure break the law and not certify the winner, Governor Christine Gregoire after the trumped-up dis-election furor engineered by Chris Vance and his smarmy losing candidate, Dino Rossi.
We liked Dave Reichert for the moment he allegedly bucked meaneocon Tom Delay on his opportunistic Congressional overreach (and prurient 24/7 cable channel snore-orgy) with poor Terry Schiavo, the re-animated carcass personifying the religious right's "culture of life."
We later heard, unfortunately, that Delay gave Sheriff Reichert dispensation on that vote since he represents a liberal Republican swing district- which isn't really liberal and certainly does not swing).
Over the weekend, Sen. Bill Finkbeiner said he plans to vote this year for House Bill 1515, the landmark equal rights bill that would give gays the same rights as the rest of us in employment and housing. His was the dissenting vote last year that defeated the measure which has been languishing in the Legislature for over 20 years as Republicans and drysiders have coalesced to keep it down. A Republican from Kirkland facing strong opposition by Eric Oemig, he'll be strongly opposed whichever way he votes. Finkbeiner came to Jesus apparently figuring he could do what's right and still get elected. That's an amazing journey for an 'R.'
We heard the KTTH boyz Sytman & Boze (m-f, 5-9a) crowing and dissing the moderate GOP senator for refusing to appear on their low-rated, caffeinated, early-morning diatribing dialog to discuss his vote. The youthful hard-edged pair has only existed as talk team (known affectionately as "Dumb & Meaner) since early December when Mike Siegel was fired.
Their scorning of Finkbeiner as a wimp "hiding under the covers," and afraid to face this 2-pack of killer chihuahuas brings us once again to one of our favorite screedos:
DEMOCRATIC POLITICIANS SHOULD DO TALK RADIO!
Producers complain: too many don't. Ignoring talk radio lets Republican surrogates like Kirby Wilbur (KVI m-f, 5-9a) John Carlson, (KVI m-f, 3-6p) define them and misrepresent their views in absentia, while scorning them, all the while for their lack of backbone.
Democrats must face the music...most of them are good on their
feet or they wouldn't have been elected in the first place. They've probably
faced hostile audiences and if they haven't, it's time they get some
practice.
Don't be scared- it's only the people!
These wing-nut talk hosts- at least Carlson and Wilbur (we don't know about D & M, yet) treat guests respectfully, though pols might face some diatribic callers-in. Smart politicians go to these shows and put a human face to the demonic critter the listeners have been hearing about.
It helps.
Early last Fall, we leaned on poor Sandeep Kaushik, Ron Sims communications director, (who was just trying to have a beer) about Sims' never going on the radio except KUOW. We said: "Ron can talk- he's a minister for chrissake!" We whined that he should go face these folks who have been politically weaned on the falsehood that he's an arrogant elitist and hates our freedom.
Kaushik says he pitched our spiel to Sims who hence went on the radio during the last weeks of his campaign. And while we give most of the credit of Sims' resounding victory to his capabilities, a well-run campaign and Horsesass's exposing his hapless opponent as a mother-beater, we think we helped a little.
We're here to help.
We know Governor Gregoire is concerned about the negative impact talk radio has had on state politics. We say: if she would make the circuit, (Wilbur,
Carlson, Sytman & Boze, Procaccino, Monson, Ross and maybe some talkers in Spokane) say
once a month, (or more when she's got an issue she needs grassroots
juice for) it would go a long way to de-demonize her and help dissipate
the evil cloud the right-wing talkers fog her with day in and day out. Republicans have used this medium to astounding successes.
We're always hearing from Democrats that talk radio listeners are already convinced- it's only the hallelujah choir. They're wrong: Talker's Magazine gives us these listener demographics: age 35-54; white 65%; male 54%; 3 or more years, college 39%; household earning between $30-70 k, 65%; voted in the last election 74%; conservatives 32%, liberals 28%, moderate or independent 30%; Dems 14%, GOP, 24%; independent, 56%, other 6%.
As you can see: these are voters split right down the middle in most ways with a healthy dose of independents.
Democrats: you exclude this medium to your peril.
Great article. I have constantly wondered why the Democrats don't get a few people who are comfortable on the air, able to respond on their feet, and can sell the parties position. It can't be that hard.
Listen to how well Dan MacDonald (Head of DOT), does on the shows. He has his facts, he doesn't allow himself to be lead down the garden path into a trap, and he is respectful to even the looniest wingnut that calls in.
The Democrats should have a roster of people, from Legislators to party members, who can be farmed out to debate any issue when it comes up. But they should be smart, good on their feet and not come across as loons. Is that too much to ask.
Then again, I wonder about how hard the producers try, after all, Goldy is enough of a media whore (and I say that with love), to go on the air anytime. I am also sure that there are plenty of writers at the Weekly and the Stranger who could pop by if they really wanted a different point of view.
Still, I think your idea is solid. Gregoire should be smart enough to handel an hour a month on Carlson and Wilbur (although Sytmans whiny voice might driver her insane early in the morning).
Posted by: JDB | January 11, 2006 at 10:12 AM
I don't think enough liberal minded people want to hear about politics on the radio.
Conservatives seem to believe they are fighting in a 'culture war' and that their way of life is threatened by evil. They like to listen to someone like Hannity or Limbaugh explain why liberals are going to burn in hell so they can believe they are winning whatever it is they are actualy losing.
We liberals on the other hand have little reason to care. Abortion is legal. We won. We don't need to talk about much we've won and how fun it is to have abortions. If it weren't for GW Bush there would be no Air America and when he's finaly overthrown it will go away.
Posted by: Andrew | January 11, 2006 at 10:36 AM
Run the #'s again Hoody. The listeners of talk radio pay the bills for KVI/KIRO. They don't swing elections. Total AQH for the SeaTac area? Not even a drop in a drop in the bucket. It's a bidness yo! Yes, it can bum rush a I-912 or some other populist drivel onto the ballot, but it can't equal campaign doll-hairs well spent. Regardless of whatever vicarious delight you get from being an outer ring on an outer ring of influence, wishing won't make it so.
Riddle me this, McDermott-asaurus is a virtual non-entity on TV and radio, yet he banks an 80% mandate. Some influence. Sheesh.
Have you ever put a restaurant out of business with a bad review?
.....Then, there ya go.
Posted by: Scrilla | January 11, 2006 at 11:08 AM
JDB,
You're correct LIBERALS don't care. That's why they don't listen to Air America or any other kind of News/Talk radio or Tv news.
To liberals it's:
Where's my porno tape? What time does desparate housewives come on?
What was Britney Spears wearing last night? Who's gay?
That's all fine and dandy, but that's ALL Liberals care about. Well maybe how many more abortions can we have today.
Listen, if you want the truth about today's headlines i encourage you to visit the next drudge:
WWW.THEJIMPREWITTBLOG.BLOGSPOT.COM
Posted by: Jim Prewitt | January 18, 2006 at 04:42 AM
Hey Jim...you forgot to mention on your website that the earth is flat and the moon is made of green cheese. Get on it right away, please. Quality matters.
Posted by: sparky | January 18, 2006 at 07:06 AM
He is too busy going through his yellowed collection of "Dan Smoot Reports"
Posted by: chris | January 18, 2006 at 08:51 AM