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Is talk radio turning anyone off?
Lately it appears that talk radio has been doing little other than either 1) Constantly saying how it is perfectly fine to use Obama's middle name when referring to him (nevermind no one seems to do that with any other candidate - BTW HRC's middle name is not Rodham it is Diane, Rodham is her maiden name) 2) Constantly slamming McCain for criticizing those who do #1 My question is - Do you think this type of negativity in general stands to turn off the Republican base or just fires them up more?
Bob Riley
I think it turns off moderate Republicans. It plays very well to hard-core conservatives. But for those of us most likely to swing across party lines, it seems annoying, self-serving, and frankly embarrassing.
I had to look up the other two candidates' middle names. No one ever mentions them. I didn't even realize John McCain is a junior.
I listen to talk radio as often as I can--it's quite comedic!
I heard one talk radio host say McCain's middle name is "Jesus" lol
Hi - I used to be a failthful listener of Jay Severin in Boston. He's kinda the anti-christ in local liberal circles. I thought he was awesome and smart and so funny. But, sometimes, when like, little old ladies would call him and say "Jay, I don't think you should be calling Hillary fat." He'd BLAST them. Just totally blast them. It was embarrassing to listen to. We moved and it's harder to get the station now but I keep trying to remember to listen to him online, but, somehow, it just doesn't seem worth it anymore. Maybe my little black Republican grinch heart is growing or something? What do you think?
Kate
I don't think there's anything wrong with your heart. :-)
I like being a Republican. It just happens that this administration has been, for me, an embarrassment. And what the Republican party is offering us for November I don't believe is what's best for our country so I'm for Obama. I'm not for the democratic party per se, just for Obama. Like if the dem party gives the nomination to Hillary then I'll have to vote Republican.
I tend to think talk radio's over the top ranting, like what you mentioned in your post, has more to do with them knowing that a lot of people, including republicans, are feeling the same way about wanting to vote for Obama.
I agree with most of your statements, but as a concerned American, can you please tell me one thing Obama has done, he talks about change, and of the few things he plans on changing, I cannont figure out how he is going to pay for it, and he has not said, unless I did not hear him.. Do you know?
food for thought.....
Anonymous- I think a lot of what Obama is referring to when he talks about change is not necessarily just the stand on issues, but the way things are accomplished in Washington. SO many people are disillusioned by politicians because they're taking money from special interests, and as he says he may not agree with "the other side" but he's not angry about it. It's the tone and the division and the anger, ugly talk that is part of what he means by change. Change people's attitudes towards their leaders. Change the way we have dialogue with each other, etc. To talk with each other without the terrible partisanship that is so poisonous today and then maybe we can actually accomplish something and solve problems. I know that may sound a little idealistic, but I really do think we need someone who is inspirational, not the same old politics. And I think it can be accomplished witht he right kind of leadership. Also, I think racial attitudes in this country might change once people realize we aren't as racist a country as some would like to accuse us of being. Does that make sense?
SR: I agree with all you said. You expressed just how I feel. I feel that for Obama the means used to reach a particular goal has to be just as worthy as the end goal itself.
Even in the last debate we heard Clinton say, basically, that it's a privilege to meet with an U.S. President and if other countries jump thru this or that hoop then she might meet with them. Obama's take on that question was a breath of fresh air. He'll meet with USA's friends and, even more important, with USA's enemies. He'll be approcheable. He'll take the USA out of the perceived (and rightly so) "my way or the highway" tone that the present administration and now McCain and, for me, Clinton have placed us in. Obama will take us into a different way of relating, not dealing with but relating, with others. This can only mean good news for us all. I don't see him hogging the table if meeting with dignitaries from around the world. He'll represent us well, not stridently, but with dignity and power and settleness. I sooooooooooooooo hope he gets the nomination.
I agree with most of your statements, but as a concerned American, can you please tell me one thing Obama has done, he talks about change, and of the few things he plans on changing, I cannont figure out how he is going to pay for it, and he has not said, unless I did not hear him.. Do you know?
food for thought.....
Just a note on Obama's middle name--
This past week, radio talk show host and movie critic Michael Medved make the excellent argument that every other politician and political candidate in history has had the right to be called by the name he or she has chosen, him or herself, to use. No one, for example, called FDR "Frankie" or "Delano," Jimmy Carter was not known as "James Earl Carter;" and Bill Clinton was not referred to as "William," or "Jefferson." If Obama calls himself "Barack Obama," and that is the name he chooses to go by, then that is what everyone else should be calling him as well.
(I don't think this point would have occured to me if I hadn't been listening to talk radio...but, to be honest, I hear an awful lot I don't like on those shows.)
I've always wondered why talk radio has been so popular among republican circles. Can anyone give me reasons?
(lets just say I'm not their biggest fans.. ;)
Media should always be independent, so I can see that concern. I just never looked at it from that perspective...interesting.
But the question is then how can a media outlet be considered liberal or conservative? Besides the fact that the host belong to a specific party. Are there certain media aspects that are party specific? Any examples of what you would consider a democratic media? I kinda know fox news is considered conservative though..
I'm sure broadening my horison here at R.F.O ;)
GREAT topic! This is the NEW home of the best and the brightest! OK, here's my take and, as I said earlier, I USED to love Jay Severin. Media is actually NOT independent. Back in the days when it was strictly newspapers, you'll recall, papers could actually be called (still are) "The Daily Democrat", "The Waterbury Republican", etc. they were vehicles for their owners and patrons to voice and effect their specific views and agendas. Fast forward to radio/tv. Once it was figured out that people totally bought into the images they were seeing and the words they were hearing, these media became a means of enforcing or undermining (depending on your point of view) the status quo. Think Tokyo Rose, for example, or Edward R. Murrow (Good Night and Good Luck, 2005 film). Now you have Ted Turner, who makes his political views pretty clear, who owns a lot of media outlets and Michael Bloomberg, another politico who came from a media ownership background. Think about how images of Vietnam in the 70's on the nightly news helped influence the end of the war? Or Woodward and Bernstein, reporting on Watergate. These events brought about a whole generation of reporters and their bosses who believed that rooting out government misdeeds made for the finest journalism possilble. There's always a backlash and so, enter right wing conservative radio. Wow, Rush Limbaugh sure shook things up in the '80's, didn't he? This type of perspective served to polarize the 2 political points of view in our country. Soon, those like Rush could only work in media outlets with others like him and the "other side" could only work in media outlets with their own "kind". Sorry to go on so long. But this really does set the stage for why we are all here. I know I am tired of "you're either with us or against us." No, I'm just thinking for myself - and I am so proud that there are a few of you out there who do too.
Kate
Very interesting
Honestly I'm not too familiar with talk radio. It's actually a bit scary how much media can control the political discourse. This is the problem with a 2-party system. The media will inevitably drift towards either side and hammer eachother, creating a hostile environment. I think this country really needs a couple more political parties to counterbalance, so at least we get more variety in the political process.
I think talk radio fuels that knee jerk emotional response thing. When I was really into it - I could quote Jay Severin chapter and verse. Took all his words as fact. Would challenge anyone who challenged Jay. Something happened recently though that reminds me of how "wacky" I was getting from it. My son has a new friend - his dad is a HARDCORE right winger. At first, we bonded over both being Republicans here in Democrat land, New England. But, when Obama was brought up and he called him the N word - I drew the line. He did too, now he bristles at the sight of me. Sad. Anyway, he showed up last weekend to inform me that "Obama people had started a hate mail campaign against right wing columnist Michelle Malkin - threatening her and calling her derogatory "female" dispersions" (you can imagine, I'm sure). Not sure what evoked his chivalrous reaction because Michelle Malking isn't exactly "white" (?). Um, wait a minute, sounds familiar. Wait, Jay Severin told that SAME story 4 years ago but it was Kerry people behind it. So, is this now an Urban Legend? Or are some really stupid people making another round of threats? If it means I've grown as a person, then, I'm PROUD to have re-opened my mind to THINK for myself. Long story short, that bristling, that raw emotional reaction to each other's opinions, like the other party is going to take the food out of our children's mouths and lock us all in prison camps - well, that is fueled by talk radio. Um, some of the Christian types here might recall, isn't Satan referred to as the "Lord or Ruler of the air"? Maybe that hatred that spreads over the airwaves is him? It's as good an explanation as any.
Kate
Kate said, "Um, some of the Christian types here might recall, isn't Satan referred to as the "Lord or Ruler of the air"? Maybe that hatred that spreads over the airwaves is him? It's as good an explanation as any."
I wonder what that says about televangelists...
<I wonder what that says about televangelists... >
It says that they are very very ummmm, rich. If money is the root of all evil, well, I won't go there..................:)
Thanks, Suzi, for not going there. :-)
IMO there are scammers in all fields, whether televangelists, self-improvement and financial get rich quick gurus, etc. Just like there are good and credible folks in those fields as well. It's up to us to sift the wheat from the tare.
Hi Carly...I'm one of them "Christian types here" LOL and that verse has naught to do with radio/tv waves, IMO.
Ultimately I think talk radio folks may have good intentions and think they know what's best/good for the rest of us. They also may not think the rest of us have much gray matter working up in our brains. That's actually where they fail...because it's one thing for them to think something is good for us to do and another for them to try to cram it down our throats.
One of the greatest and most precious gifts this great country offers folks is the right to think and act for themselves. Having lived under the communist and totalitarian regime Castro has imposed on Cuba not a day goes by that I don't thank God for the privilege He's given me to be able to live in a free country here in the USA.
So...even though I still enjoy listening to talk radio, I exercise my free will by tunning the channels off whenver the ranting gets obnoxious...which I agree with most posts in this thread...is happening more often than not these days. :-)
First off, CBS/NBC/ABC aren't as influent as they once were. In the epoch of Cable News, while MEET THE PRESS / NIGHTLINE / 60 MINUTES still matter, they're not watched by most Americans who want "news." Hell, they're usually captured in sound/video "bytes" by CNN/FNC/MSNBC, and that is how most Americans watch them....but I could be wrong.
Second, political Talk Radio is useless. Are you going to get something affluent and intelligent from Air America or Rush "Can't Shut his Mouth" Limbaugh? No. They're ideological snacks that for your view of the world, you will get what will enforce your opinion, not mentally debate or seriously consider different issue-positions.
Third, I'm sorry but Rush is embarrasing. From mocking Michael J. Fox to his infamous "black quarterback" statement regarding McNabb...that zeppelin can buzz off, and I would be happy if this Republican never hears anything from him ever again. His latest crapping on McCain appolozing for the "Barack Hussein Obama" speech by another radio talk show host....whatever dude.
Rush Limbaugh is totally consumed with his self-importance. He assumes that he is much more intelligent than most people, and that we should just listen to and follow all he says. UGH I haven't heard more than 30 seconds of Rush in ages. I used to like Hannity, in his earlier days on the radio. He seemed to me to be a conservative voice of reason. Now he is following in Rush's footsteps. by being rude, self-important, talking over his guests and hanging up on them, being a total neocon, etc. So, I seldom listen to him.
So this begs the question......has talk radio changed that much, or have I? Possibly it is a bit of both. I just think there has to be some reason and balance in this world. NO ONE is right all of the time. We need to at least listen and consider the other person's point of view. No matter what the subject matter, rudeness is a deal breaker for me.
So where does that leave me? Well, I just slide in a CCR cd, and go on my merry way.:) ( I know, I know, I'm showing my age here......)
You hit the nail on the head, Suzi. He redefines narcissist.
Oh, and Creedence is timeless. No age implication. Now on the other hand if you tell us you're still playing CCR on vinyl or eight tracks...
Uhhhhhh, well, uhhhhh. I confess that I do have a large vinyl collection. I bought one of those thingys that plays records, cassette tapes and CDs, along with AM/FM. But no eight tracks....darn!! :)
Hannity lost all my respect when he wrote in a book that liberalism was "naturally evil."
Ehh, what? I'm a Republican, and I think that's silly.
Can I just say again how cool you all are? Having these discussions with all of you is just amazing. Now, I have to wonder, are there just like - 5 - REASONABLE people in the whole country?
Kate
Thanks! Sadly, not only is a lot of our own party, shall we say, somewhat underwhelmed with us, we're starting to get quite a bit of flaming from Democrats, too. And here we're supporting a blue candidate! We just can't win!!!
Nice to have a friendly visitor stop by!
Are you serious, Barb??? I didn't know that. Wow.
Hhhhmmm...maybe they've read our posts where we say the fact that we're for Obama doesn't equate to us switching parties and registering as Democrats. I've said this before and will continue to say it. I'm not writing the Democratic party a blank check. If they give the nomination to Clinton I'm voting Republican. It's Obama who I believe is the President this country needs at this time. He just happens to be Democrat but I'm not voting for him because he's a Democrat...I'm voting for him because I believe his transformational leadership style is what the USA needs right now.
I still think that the bottom line with a lot of talk radio hosts is that they feel threatened. They have aquired their fame and fortune by feeding on, and adding to, the divisivness that has consumed our nation. If Obama wins, and begins to heal that divisivness, their ratings will start to slip. Which will mean their so-called status as a voice of the people will erode, their fame will slip, which in turn will cause their bank accounts to dwindle.
I know it is more complicated than this simple take on it, but we all know how big business is (sadly) intertwined with the Republican party. And talk radio is big business!!