Could Howard Stern be the left's Rush?

[Timefortruth]

Really, he could parlay what has happened into a major shout-them-down radio show which would be entirely political in nature. It would work because unlike Rush, Howard wouldn't have to make stuff up. He could allow real Republican callers because they have no facts.

Howard could get through where no one else could have. How do we ask him?

[arcos]

1. I believe Stern is a Libertarian...

he ran for Governor under the Libertarian line, at least.

[mdmc]

2. take me now, God

Stern? How about Garrison Kellier?

[vi5]

4. Garrison Keillier? Oh man....

I'm sorry. I love Garrison Keillier, but the idea of him as the left's answer to Rush just kind of proves why we won't win a this game without some pragmatism. Kellier is far too intelligent and intellectual to appeal to the average schmoe who needs to be reached.

Even on the right, there's a reason why Rush is the prototypical right winger and not William F. Buckley.

What is needed is for someone who can put a simplistic, distilled spin on rhetoric and simply rile up feelings. Not to pontificate on actual liberal theory or convey warm anecdotes.

[CityZen-X]

17. Uberman Stern?!

Forgive them Father for they no not what they do!
Stern is your candidate to oppose the "Rush?" I could just hear him now after interviewing Cynthia McKinney. Before you go Ms. McKinney would you show us your boobs!?
I admire Stern for what he has created for himself, but lets face it he is nothing more than a radio version of Jerry Springer.

My vote would be for Ray Taliaferro, on KGO radio San Francisco.

[On the Road]

3. I Doubt He Has the Interest,

but it would be awesome to have Stern as a born-again flaming liberal. In my opinion, that would pretty much seal the election.

[djg21]

8. What are you smoking?

And where can I buy some?

I became a Stern fan when I lived in NYC for a bunch of years, and I still listen regularly. While he's now apparently anti-Bush, he isn't progressive at all. Perhaps he is about social issues such as gay marriage and abortion, but that's really it! Keep in mind, he endorsed Al D'Amato, Rudy Giuliani, George Pataki,and Christine Todd Whitman -- ALL REPUBLICANS! He even endorsed Shrub last time around.

When he ran for Governor, yes he ran on the Libertarian Ticket, but his platform was limited to:
(1) reinstating the Death Penalty; and
(2) resigning after he did so.

It's nice to have him speaking out about Bush. But you can bet that if the FCC wasn't on his case, he'd still be pro-Bush. Unfortunately, it's all about him! (Remember his agreement to trade his endorsement for Whitman in exchange for having a highway rest area named after him?).

What we need is more "Conservatives" like him to recognize that the Republican party has been hijacked by the Religious Right, and has ceased to speak for mainstream "conservatives." The enemy of our enemy is our friend!

[On the Road]

10. I DON'T Think Stern is a Liberal

although he seems to be anti-Bush theses days. He supports whichever side his bread is buttered on.

Which is why he would have to a BORN-AGAIN liberal, which I doubt holds any interest for him. But I do think Stern's influence could win the election for Kerry if he wanted to use it.

[NewJeffCT]

12. I don't remember the Bush endorsement

I think I remember Robin voting Bush, but the rest of the gang going for Gore...

Also, Stern ran on fixing the roads at night instead of during the day time.

In one of his books that discussed his run for governor, he did say he had a change of heart on the death penalty later (meaning, he was against it now)

[Renew Deal]

14. You are half wrong.

He endorsed and voted for Gore. He also says he voted for Clinton twice.

[Timefortruth]

18. I must confess that I've never listened to him, not even once.

But the reports of his conversion here gave me the idea.

[Fight_n_back]

5. No

He is not a leftist or even a liberal. He is basically a social libertarian. His econimc views are pedestrian and everymanish, which is part of his charm.

He has constantly stated that he is a comedian not a polemicist. The most important thing he does is expose people to a lot of viewpoints. He is GREAT on race and gay rights issues because he has a live and let live attitude. He rarely talks about political solutions to these problems but just wants everyone to be left alone.

Has anyone ever noticed how similiar his format is to the Jack Benny Show?

[digno dave]

6. not quite

yeah, he was lovey-dovey with D'Amato this morning.

[demnan]

7. You want a torch bearer who tells fart jokes?

No - Mike Malloy is the left's answer to Rush Limbaugh. He's very good at what he does. We should be working to get him back on the air.

[Dogmudgeon]

9. Pigs fly. Hell gets a foot of snow. Bunnies Discovered on Mars.

With Stern, it's not out of the question at all.

Stern was never an orthodox right-winger, but he did go along with a lot of them. He was popular among the guys who used to whine about P.C. Feminazis and how Political Correctness was the New Stalinism.

Now he's had a chance to see some real "Political Correctness" at work as Michael Powell and a number of Bush's buddies bring the hammer down on him. If this is Stern's baptism by fire, I say that we slay the fatted calf and make merry.

I'll put up with Howard's puerile rants to watch the development of a firebrand from the enemy's claimed territory. Winning back America is too important to gnash our teeth over someone's bad verbal habits.

--bkl

[_Jumper_]

11. He is a racist

No.

[Fight_n_back]

13. prove that

if you listen to the show you know it isn't true.

He is coarse but not a racist.

[djg21]

20. Bullshit!

If you listen to the show, and have any sence of irony and sarcasm, you'd understand that he pokes fun at racists and ant-semites. I crack up whenever I think about his bits with Daniel Carver, the former KKK Grand Dragon, or the old shows with Billy West doing Marge Schott or Fred imitating Karl Waldheim. It's very tongue-in-cheek, and it's clearly intended to underscore the absurdity of such beliefs.

[_Jumper_]

27. He is racist against Arabs...

...who he refers to as "ragheads." What was Stern's brilliant plan to combat terrorism? Randomly nuke a "raghead" country. I never was a fan of his but I did listen to it a few times but never listened again after hearing him use an ethnic slur--and he did not use it in a facetious way.

[ramapo]

15. One day, or week, does not make Howard our savior

Howard was great today. First time I've listened in a long, long time.
Frankly I thought he had become rather boring. Nice to hear him talk about topical issues even though it's only due to his self-involvement.

He had a great anti-Bush rant going this AM. But I don't think he would want to, or even could for that matter, become a full time political ranter.

[denverbill]

16. Stern's an asshole.

I was particularly amused by his commentary during the Columbine shootings in which he pondered why the killers weren't raping their victims before killing them.

[Cleita]

19. Sorry, Howard's misogynism isn't acceptable to me, so I don't

need him to speak for me.

[ulTRAX]

21. who was that woman.......

I hope Al Frankin isn't anyone's choice. I don't think he's got enough of an edge. But a few weeks ago on NOW with Bill Moyers... he interviewed a progressive talkshow host down in Florida. Now HER I like!

[Nomad559]

26. Who was that woman?

That would be Randi Rhodes.

You can listen to her here ... http://www.therandirhodesshow.com/main.html

[fla nocount]

22. Where you been?

In the work-a-day, day-to-day there's never been a dimes bit of difference between Howard and Rush........listen for awhile....drum your thumb on the steering wheel....change the channel.

Only now that the FCC is forcing a moral choice is there a difference. The opposite side has been censored. Now, Howard is different and I would listen if I didn't live in Orlando (Clear Channel)

[southerngirlwriter]

23. This is not a personal attack,

but I honestly believe that you're on drugs for even suggesting it.

He is a sex-crazed misogynist who treats women with ZERO respect and regularly tells racist jokes.

Um....let's think hard.....should he be lifted up as a leftist icon??

HELL, NO!!!!! :grr: :grr: :grr:

[fla nocount]

24. Hey you,

A while back there was a bunch of folks wondering about your where a bouts in "the meeting room." Click back a few pages and check it out if you haven't done so, you seem to have a fan club.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

25. The guy's show is fundamentally not political.

It's just locker room/bathroom humor. If he went to a primarily political format it would be boring and not successful.

We should welcome his opposition to Bush in this election cycle. He will not be transformed into some kind of anti-Limbaugh though. Although he does despise Limbaugh and bashed him plenty prior to his run in with Clear Channel.