Do you think Air America is making a difference?

[ronnykmarshall]

Myself, I really think AAR is kicking some major ass.

Thanks Al, Randi and the whole staff!

[AmerDem]

1. I guess they are in the markets that air them

My area to date doesn't carry Air America and the few times i've tried the online stream was terrible, constant rebuffering.

[Riddler]

9. Absolutely, but I think it's more than just AAR.

A trip to any major bookstore shows shelves full of books by a myriad of authors, all anti-right wing or anti-Bush. When just a couple of years ago the Hannity's and O'Reilly's et al dominated the bookstore shelves with their right-wing propaganda, now it's at worse even, and at best more liberal books than right-wing books. I guess we can thank bunnypants for truly being a uniter in the sense that he united the entire Democratic party to mobilize against his ass.

[Mr_Spock]

2. Every little bit helps - people see the Democratic "movement" as

more powerful when there are more places it is being promoted. We have learned from the RW nutjobs and we will never "assume" that people know the "truth" ever again. People need to be reminded - that is why companies advertize!

[brendan120678]

4. Question about part of your tagline...

Do you have a list of any of the Sinclair advertisers? Here where I am we (luckily!) don't have any Sinclair stations around.

[brendan120678]

3. I don't know...

Sometimes I get the feeling that AAR is preaching to the already converted. I doubt that any die-hard conservative would ever even listen to it. It may have helped in picking up some undecided voters though.

[Orlandodem]

5. Left wing radio must be entertaining and it must have

people who are lightning rods. If it has that people will tune in no matter if they are cons or Liberals.

Faux, Shammity, and El Rushbo are all entertainers first and foremost.

[sendero]

8. Exactamundo..

.... and I *think* that people are starting to figure that out.

Radio and TV are first and foremost entertainment mediums. It doesn't matter how "right" you are, if people don't find you entertaining to listen to, you will not get ratings.

I think, somewhere in the future, Mike Malloy will have a large audience.

[Dukakis88]

6. I'm definitely glad it's there, but sometimes it gets repetitive...

There is only so many times that I want to hear someone repeat the simplified political talking points that I already know and agree with. I sometimes long for some more creativity on AAR. Pure anti-right-wing ranting was novel and exhilirating to hear on my car radio the first few weeks, but when I started hearing the hosts repeating their favorite catch phrases (which the right wing radio hosts do too, of course, but I don't listen to them either) I started getting bored/annoyed.

There have been moments on AAR that have really taken off for me and seemed like they were the perfect balance of humor and politics, like when David Cross is a guest on Majority Report, but I don't get that feeling enough at the moment.

[Jane Austin]

10. Are you sure you're listening to AAR?

If you listen to Morning Sedition, Unfiltered and Al Franken you will hear a parade of fascinating guests - - authors, politicians, scientists, soldiers, and citizens - - who enlighten and inform.

The aforementioned hosts are immensely entertaining.

Make sure your radio is really tuned to AAR!

[Dukakis88]

12. I get bored hearing the same uncharismatic bloggers interviewed.

I value the work those bloggers do, but they don't interest me as weekly radio interview subjects, in the manner they are used on Majority Report. I don't care for their regular interviews with Janeane's conservative father, either. Since it's a man she loves, they treat him with kid gloves and let him ramble on way too much.

With the exception of Krugman, I'm not that excited by most of Franken's pundit regulars, either. Especially his Rush Limbaugh listening friend. I think they are way too friendly with each other to make that segment interesting. The guy is allowed to spout nonsense way too much.

[johnkerryyip145]

16. No, i don't think many conservatives listen to AAR...

...but it's time the liberals had something to listen to on talk radio!

And anyway, it's much more entertaining than the right-wingers. Anybody catch Franken's skit on the Denver Post(?) endorsement of Bush last week? Very funny.

And that's what strikes me most about the difference: Right-Wingers loved to be YELLED AT, to feel ANGRY at their lot in life, and FOLLOW blindly. They never debunk anything AAR contends, b/c it's all the truth (sometimes skewed, admittedly, but never a lie).

Meanwhile, Left-Wingers love to LAUGH, to feel GOOD that their lot in life is not perfect but changeable, and to QUESTION authority, no matter how much respect you have for your leaders. AAR routinely points out the LIES of the Right, which is very easy to do, and extremely important.

It will go down in history that at the Republican Convention this year, Michael Moore was denounced as "disingenuous" (NOTE: couldn't call him a "liar") while they FAILED to even mention the name of Osama bin Laden.

But, of course, they mentioned 9/11. A lot. And Saddam Hussein.

History will not be kind to the Bush Administration. In 100 years, "Fahrenheit 9/11" will be the longest-lasting look at this short era.

[Tony_Illinois]

7. I listen, but . . .

I believe that it provides an outlet which reinforces and often expands upon views I already share with them. My assumption is that just like the Sean Vanity, Dil O'Leilly, and Putz Limbaugh audiences, Air America is speaking to its base (not that there's anything wrong with that--I listen every day).

<>

[tilsammans]

11. There's a demand out there, anyway

AAR started on March 31 with six stations, and now they've got 37. I've got to think that they're not just preaching to the choir.

I love AAR, and I listen whenever I can. I only wish the reception was better here. WLIB is fine sometimes, and awful other times. I know several people locally who WANT to listen, but they aren't able to tune it in at all. And the streaming quality is inconsistent as well.

[Shopaholic]

13. I listen via streaming

all day, every day at work. It's my lifeline.

[ronnykmarshall]

15. Me too.

I wish we had a station in LA .... soon I hope!

[tilsammans]

18. What's a reliable link for streaming?

Sometimes I have trouble with the streaming from the AAR site.

[Shopaholic]

21. Go to Air America Place

http://www.airamericaplace.com/

The link (Listen Live) is on the left. I find that it's more reliable than the "official" link. It will sometimes end after 2-3 hours though but you just go back and click, and you're hooked up again. It's the official Blog for Air America too.

[tilsammans]

27. That's what I'll do -- thanks!

I hate to miss any of what's happening on AAR -- especially so close to Election Day!

[eataTREE]

17. Maybe it's just that the choir is bigger than anyone imagined.

If the choir is defined as everyone who is not on board the neo-con agenda, then I say the choir makes up a majority of the population, as will become apparent November 2nd.

AAR also arms the "choir" with facts, arguments, and talking points to counter right-wing spin. That makes the "choir" more persuasive when they talk politics with their friends, neighbors and co-workers. In turn, that pulls more members out of the * choir into the undecided camp, and out of the undecided camp into our choir.

[tilsammans]

19. That's what I'm thinking!

The "choir" is bigger than imagined. And there was never a BIG, virtually nationwide talk radio voice available for them until now. AAR fights fire with fire!

:toast:

[Dr Fate]

25. I know- nothing wrong with motivating the choir to get more in the flock!

Although I think AAR goes beyond preaching to the choir-independents who used to tune into Rush for kicks are now listening to both.

[JPace]

14. Yes....

for those who listen to talk radio it will make a big difference.
This is the left's opportunity to educate people on the issues
through entertainment. If people remain ignorant of anything but
sound bites and rush limpballs they will continue to pull that
lever for the republican party.

[LTR]

20. I think the hardcore listeners are already converted

AAR functions well as an alternative news source and as entertainment for the left and even a few open-minded political junkies.

As for most people, they really don't listen to talk radio. AAR is pretty young, and it will take time to expand from the hardcore base. But it is nice to have around, and I'm glad it's successful. I think it will become more successful and the product will improve over time.

So far, though, I think the internet is having much more influence. But this will spill over to liberal radio.

[Dr Fate]

22. I do. People now have a choice-and they are exercising it.

You do not get high ratings like that by just attracting active Dems- independents and fence sitters, and even non-political people who used to tune in to Rush when "nothing else was on" now listen to both.

[Dob Bole]

23. Not yet.

A lot of people won't dare listen to it until after the election. And even then, I don't think it will make a huge difference until it gets into some rural areas.

[high density]

24. I think right now it's mostly preaching to the choir,

but it might start to have an effect if it can pry away some Hannity or Limbaugh listeners during the day. The Air America network doesn't quite have the coverage it needs yet to make a significant impact, in my opinion. I live in range of two FM stations that carry right-wing talk, but I'm about 20-30 miles out of the range of my "local" AM Air America station.

[The Wielding Truth]

26. Yes, but not enough exposure. they are not in enough areas. We need...

them.

[snowbear]

29. They're getting there though! Only....

..a few months ago they were aired on a mere 14 stations, now it's 32 and GROWING all the time!

We ~love~ having them here in Anchorage!!! :bounce:

~~> http://www.airamericaradio.com/

[AldebTX]

28. Its Kept me Sane

Living in Dallas....I can't hear ANYTHING on talk radio but radical righties....the fact I can stream Air America at work has kept me sane through this whole campaign year. I listen to Al Franken every day...but I have secretly fallen for Randi Rhodes passion....and the way she stands up to some of the loonies.

I wish them all success.

[Lex]

30. I signed up for Sirius Radio so I could get Air America

and I drove last week to Ohio from NC and back, and Air America kept me from going absolutely bonkers.

Listened to it the whole time I was in the car.

A breath of fresh air.

[snowbear]

31. Oops! Not 32 stations.. it's NOW 37 stations!

Geez.. I accidentally shorted them by 5 stations.

I do think they're making a massive difference!! :toast:

[thinksmart]

32. I listen to Air America Radio on the internet

Its a fine organization and the advertisers love all the dedicated listeners.

[mtnsnake]

33. Definitely. But wait until it REALLY grows and catches on.

I've craved for something like Air America for years. It used to drive me nuts that all you could find on talk radio were right wing shows with little to balance them out. 4 more years of Air America may be just as important as 4 more years without Bush. It doesn't matter to me whether AAR is repetitive or not at times. What matters is that the left has a voice on the airwaves that's loud and clear to go up against the Limbaugh's and the Hannity's. What I think matters even more than you and I listening to it, is that Joe "open ears" Blow happens across it...and is influenced by the truth, not by right wing lies and BS. I've got some pretty ignorant friends who've been weaned on right wing radio far too long, and over the course of a few years, hopefully they'll get a dose of Air America and start getting educated. That and it's so comforting to know you have lots more friends who think along our lines, just like this place.

[newyawker99]

35. Hi mtnsnake!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Democat]

34. Yes - they are spreading talking points to the troops and helping Dems

They are helping a lot. They help Democrats keep the faith, they give people a group of other people with similar views to relate to, and they help spread the important points that need to be spread.

The argument that they are only "preaching to the converted", even if true, does not make them less valuable. Look at someone like Limbaugh. He preaches to the converted, but that means that millions of Republicans know the daily talking points, they spread the word, they reinforce each other and talk to millions of other people every day.

Air America is very important and the more people that hear them, even if every one is a Democrat, the better it is for us.

[crispini]

36. I think it majorly helps.

As a blue girl in a red state... the stream's a big source of comfort, knowledge, and KINDRED SOULS. When I first found AAR I felt like "wow, a radio station for ME!"

[Nikepallas]

37. YES YES YES WE NEEDED THEM IN 2000

[robo]

38. just like to get here in Cincinnati

But this repub country big time , so it won't be here for along time .I will just get it off the net, thats the best i can do now