Howard Stern asked his listeners to donate to John Kerry today

[romantico]

He said yesterday alone Bush made an obscene amount of money towards his campaign.Asked his listeners to donate to Kerry.Even if its $5,give this guy the money he needs!

Would it be smart for Kerry to come out & speka out in Howard's defense?I mean, Kerry can't ignore the potenial voters who listen to Howard.I'm surpised more poeple haven't come out in Howard's defense.For some reason I thought either Bill or Hillary would.

[Caution]

1. no

let howard continue to give his support. Kerry speaking out in favor of stern would just provide ammo. It's like speaking out in favor of the ACLU....right thing to do but too inflammatory an issue. Right now Stern is providing the support for Kerry, leaving Kerry with the ability to stay away from a controversial figure.

[efhmc]

3. I so agree.

[zbdent]

5. So, the fact that "The Rock" Dewayne Johnson showed up at the GOP

convention, swinging a bunch of idjits who believe that rasslin' is real, can be discounted?

We'll take who we can get to bring W down.

[americanstranger]

14. Kerry could work it to his advantage.

He could issue a statement saying 'I don't agree with much of what Stern says on his show, but the timing of his troubles is certainly questionable. This is why we must take a look at media consolidation in this country.'

That way he'd (sorta) land on Howard's side (while not endorsing him outright), and he'd get to slam down on Bush again.

2 birds, one stone. and he'd prolly land a buttload of donations from Stern fans. He's got a pretty well-to-do audience.

-as

[rumguy]

2. That is sweet!

Stern is the man...

[private_ryan]

4. nah

not direct support anyway. Just say that Howard has freedom of speech and people should turn him off if they don't like his views. He might upset feminists if he supported him outright.

[proud patriot]

6. I don't think so IMHO

:shrug:

[Palestine]

7. a surprising turn of events

Stern has a wide and varied audience; you can't buy publicity this good.

[XanaDUer]

8. No.

Kerry has bigger fish to fry. Stern can take care of himself. I do appreciate Stern lending his support.

[sadiesworld]

9. Absolutely not.

It's great that Stern is coming down so hard on Bush, but Kerry needs to keep his distance. He's only a step above Larry Flynt to many. That's all Kerry needs.

[On the Road]

10. I Don't Know . . .

Calling into Stern didn't seem to hurt Christie Todd Whitman, Alfonse d'Amato, or Pataki. Depends on how it's handled. Kerry could pick up 100,000 votes just by calling into the show for a few minutes.

[DoBotherMe]

11. Middle class mother

says no to Stern. Dana ; )

[Trajan]

15. Welcome to DU Dana ...

Middle aged Father here .... chuckles ...

Good to have you aboard ...

[newyawker99]

18. Hi DanaM!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[blm]

12. NO. This should be a pure, no strings attached election.

This is Stern coming on to defeat Bush. His reward will be a President Kerry.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

13. Personally, I think it would be cool if Kerry

showed solidarity with Stern and even showed up on his program, but that's just me. This could really energize some of Howard's audience to get out and vote for JK. Would all of you who disapprove of Stern's show not vote for Kerry if he did this? If you would change your vote you'd be crazy.

Stern is popular with a lot of folks who are Repubs and conservatives, believe it or not, just not the biblethumping social conservatives.

[Trajan]

16. Kerry needs EVERY helpful avenue opened ...

Stern is NOT my favorite fella, never was ... BUT ....

Kerry needs attack dogs to do the dirty work whilst HE stays above the fray ... and his request for donations could move at least SOME of his listeners (of which I am not ... ) ....

At the same time: .. Kerry needs to maintain a presidential mein, and not directly associate with such a controversial figure ....

So: .. I am SO glad that Stern is using his significant media-gravitas on Kerry's behalf ...

EVERY little bit helps ...

[dad]

17. .

Howard Stern RULES!
Kerry is too much of a pre-packaged, blow-dried, scripted candidate to actually do something original and speak out in favor of Stern though.

[Generic Other]

19. Kerry should aim his attack at FCC rulings that violate free speech,

Or he can question an administration that takes punitive actions against its critics. While he's at it, he should mention the issue of nepotism as well. Afterwards, if he still has energy, he can threaten to investigate the agency's loosening of regulations to favor media conglomerates. If these happen to be issues Howard Stern is now beginning to be interested in, Stern will continue to defend Kerry as will anyone else who believes in accountability where the public airwaves are concerned.

I personally don't care if people say bad words on TV or prance around in their birthday suits. I am much more concerned about the corporate control and domination of the public airwaves, the loss of the Fairness Doctrine, and the lack of balance in the presentation of political views. I want a truly fair and honest FCC, not the bandits in power today.