Big Ed's show probably enjoys the controversy...look at owner's technique.

[madfloridian]

Randy Michaels owns Big Eddie's show now. He was the one who started Clear Channel, known for it's outrageous tactics. So I don't listen to Big Eddie now, because I think they enjoy making us angry.

Remember when he ignored the fact that Dean was traveling all over the South, drawing crowds, raising money? He kept attacking him. We would send him info, he would ignore it. His wife, Wendy, said he never apologized, his producer, James said he was just trying to keep Howard Dean on the ball. James was a former Deaniac, so that was kind of sad.

Then he said Howard Dean should get his head out of his ass, and I have not listened since.

Want to know about Randy Michael's view of fun and controversy. Here is one article from 2001 at Salon. There are lots more. He enjoys this stuff. They are probably thinking, wow, what a huge audience we will have today. Laughing at all of you that still listen.

http://www.salon.com/ent/feature/2001/04/30/clear_channel/

In the late 1990s, while no one was looking, a corporate behemoth became the largest owner and biggest force in America's most venerable mass medium: commercial radio.

Radio stations that once were proudly local are now being programmed from hundreds of miles away. Increasingly, the very DJs are in a different city as well. Want your record played on one of those stations? Be prepared to pay -- dearly -- for the privilege. Want your band's concert to be sponsored by a radio station? Be careful: If you pick a competitor, the behemoth might pull your songs off its playlists overnight -- from two, 10, 100 stations.

Looking for classy radio programming? Don't look here. The company is known for allowing animals to be killed live on the air, severing long-standing ties with community and charity events, laying off thousands of workers, homogenizing playlists and a corporate culture in which dirty tricks are a way of life.

Welcome to the world of Clear Channel -- radio's big bully.

And a comment about Michael's personality:

Michaels moved into management in the 1990s. Today, as Clear Channel's guardian of the airwaves, the bombastic exec is among the most powerful, not to mention colorful, men running the music business.

"Everything's a food fight with him," says one radio executive, who says Michaels is still a morning man at heart. "He's paranoid, disingenuous, pathological. That's what makes him so lovable."

And firing people by taping conversations privately...a very long article, 5 pages long, so I am just putting some snips.

..."Indeed, that same night at Spago, Clear Channel's radio chief, Randy Michaels, just happened to be holding court along with half a dozen minions of his own. A true radio original, Michaels had achieved legendary status inside the business as a shock jock (before there was a Howard Stern), and an effective but often tasteless programmer."
....

.."Within days, AMFM Network president David Kantor heard from Kitchin. Kantor was told that once the merger was through, the two producers who'd spoken so bluntly would be let go. Michaels, Kitchin said, was not happy. Kantor was even given proof of the producers' bad-mouthing; the conversation at Spago had been surreptitiously recorded by a cellphone on the table. Kantor had been played parts of it.

"These guys didn't even work for Clear Channel yet and they were set up," says a former AMFM employee. "They used that conversation to fire them. Here's the head of Clear Channel and he's taping conversations? It's insane. It was a classic Randy Michaels dirty trick. He was just fucking with their heads; that's what they do."

Read the article, and get a feel for how some work. It is very long, and I can't snip any more within guidelines.

[madfloridian]

1. And canned stuff from coast to coast was the CC tactic.

They are the reason that there is so little local news in some areas. Duiing our 3 hurricanes in 2004...we were lucky to have one day of local coverage before we went back to the canned Rush stuff.

Through a process known as "cyber-jocking," Clear Channel has eliminated hundreds, if not thousands, of DJ positions (and saved tens of millions in salary) by simply having one company jock send out his or her show to dozens of sister stations. Thanks to clever digital editing, the shows still often sound local. And this isn't just for the graveyard shifts but for midday and even morning-drive shows.

Today, traveling across the country, radio listeners hear not only the same songs over and over but the same jocks from coast to coast. For instance, the midday show by a DJ named Randi West has aired simultaneously on Clear Channel stations in Cincinnati; Louisville, Ky.; Des Moines, Iowa; Toledo, Ohio; Charleston, S.C.; and Rochester, N.Y.

This was 2001, but the same tactics are going on.

[mzmolly]

2. Someone here posed a good question once. "Why don't the frikken

rich Hollywood Liberals, start buying up some media? Especially radio stations. Good grief. Big Ed was complaining yesterday that ownership in radio makes a difference as he was cut in Arizona and ?? in spite of high ratings. His latest rants against Murtha are probably designed to get him on the air, and trump up military ratings as he just got air in Iraq.

[madfloridian]

4. They did try....then they sold him to Randy Michaels.

Liberal groups are working to build media. Unfortunately the ones who have the money are using the existing online magazines and blogosphere.
Like the New Republic having conferences for the Clinton's Third Way Institute. Slate, as well, I hear. But that's just rumor.

Us poor folks have to get by anyway we can.

[mzmolly]

5. I'd like to see someone like Clooney step in?

A group perhaps.

[madfloridian]

6. There are groups being formed...

NPI, Rosenberg's group, and Democracy Alliance, but the participants are not talked about much. Unfortunately if they tell our side, the other side knows it all as well.

[TheDebbieDee]

3. I checked out his show for about two weeks just after

Thanksgiving. I stopped listening mostly because of 2 words:

dungenesse crabs

Also, he sometimes sounds so much like that blustering gas bag Rush that I almost got nauseaus!

[madfloridian]

7. Glad I missed that part.

I tried to listen at first, but I prefer the research that Randi does, and I like Thom Hartmann. I am not fond of people who just spout stuff.

[radio4progressives]

10. Thom Hartmann is EXCELLENT... NT

:applause:

[FreedomAngel82]

31. Yes

I heard him when he filled in for Majority Report and he did a very nice job. I catch him every once in a while on my ITunes thing.

[madfloridian]

8. Can you just imagine if Clinton had vetoed this bill in 95?

How different things would be now for the media.

Together, Michaels and Zell banked on their belief that legislators would soon ease ownership restrictions on radio owners. Back in 1995, station owners, represented by the mighty lobbying arm of the National Association of Broadcasters, found lots of friends in Washington busy drafting the telecommunications bill.

"The problem was the Republican Congress wanted not to rewrite the rules but eliminate them," recalls former FCC chairman Reed Hundt, who, along with the Clinton White House, opposed such drastic action. "The question was, 'Who's your constituency, the listener or the owner?' There was no question of who the Republican constituency was."
Hundt and President Clinton favored easing ownership restrictions, but at a more go-slow pace. In the end, says the former FCC commissioner, "the White House position on radio got rolled."

And a little more from the Salon article. Something I never knew abot WFLA in Tampa, I guess they mean the radio station. Michaels really had some personality. :shrug:

At the time, Michaels was vice president of programming and an on-air personality at WFLA. Richards said he had a hand in setting the station's tone -- she told ABC he once roamed the station halls with a flexible rubber penis tied around his neck, accosting female employees. Michaels would not be interviewed on the show, and rejected the charges.

Jacor's response? "We are going to be forced to make public certain things about behavior which are going to further tarnish her reputation," Dave Reinhart, WFLA station manager and close friend of Michaels, told the St. Petersburg Times. Richards' suit was settled out of court in 1995.

[snowbear]

9. Big Eddie is owned by Jones Radio Network & HE ROCKS !!!

Gotta love the Jones Radio Network (Democracy Radio) for bringing us both Big Eddie Schultz and Stephanie Miller to the airwaves!!!

When Randy Michaels purchased the Ed Schultz program last year, Big Eddie discussed Michaels background, how Michaels is the one who made Limpballs famous, and how Michaels isn't in this business for personal political bias reasons.

He bought the Ed Schultz show because it took off big time and he saw a huge market for it.

Eddie even had an open chat for approximately 2 hours (one of many he does) to allow listeners to discuss the show's new ownership, etc.

If Michaels didn't want a progressive voice like Big Eddie out their bashing Bush, he wouldn't have ensured their financial future.

I could give a shit who owns the Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller programs --- I'm just glad their both on the air!!

I'm sorry you don't like him MadFloridian.. because I usually agree with everything you post.. Not this time though... :shrug:

~~~~ Eddie ROCKS! ~~~~~

:headbang: Signed: "ANOTHER ED HEAD!!!" :headbang:

[radio4progressives]

11. just curious... how you stand to listen to someone who sounds like

Rush Limbaugh and why would you think it's cool to be called an "Ed Head"?

that sounds just like "ditto head" ????

[madfloridian]

12. Ed Head?

Not only do I not like him, I find it very wrong to tell the chairman of the national Democrats to take his head out of his ass.

I find it wrong for him to carry the water for the pro-war bunch just because he is on armed forces radio.

He either stands for something, or he doesn't. I think he stands for being tough Eddie.

No, I don't like him, and I think he is harmful to our side.

That is your right to be an Ed Head.

[Cha]

14. Not to mention..

fatheaded's rampage on Congressman Jack Murtha..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x41948

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2348361

[madfloridian]

13. And by the way

Jones Network does not own Ed now, Michaels company is called Product One or Project one or something like that.

Democracy Radio is defunct now, and their management is moving to AAR which probably means they will try to screw Randi.

[mwb970]

15. Big Eddie and Steph are my favorites, too.

I try to catch at least part of each show every day.

[madfloridian]

16. I like Stephanie's show, but I detest Ed.

I am most definitely not an Ed Head.

[LittleClarkie]

17. He was kinda rude about Kerry too until Kerry showed up on his show

Now he's all nice about Kerry. Might have been because Kerry's people called and asked if they could be on the show. Might have been a bit of an ego stroke for Big Eddie.

Didn't seem to work for Dean though. I didn't hear it, but I have heard others say Ed was rude to Dean, and I don't think his attitude toward him has gotten much better since he appeared on the show.

I just went over to their messageboard and commented that folks over here are more upset about the drunk comment than the mere fact that Ed disagrees with Murtha. Insinuating that the man is in his cups and that's why he's saying these things is just not cool.

[madfloridian]

18. No, it did not work for Dean.

He is still rude, and I suspect there are reasons for that.

[LittleClarkie]

19. Personally, I think it's because he's a Hillary person

and I don't imagine the Hillary wing and the Dean wing get along terribly well.

[flpoljunkie]

50. I heard Ed say this week that Murtha's people do not return his calls.

He went on about it, actually. In lieu of what you said about Kerry's experience, perhaps Murtha ought to consider calling Big Ed and set him straight.

[LittleClarkie]

52. It might be an ego thing. If you don't answer Big Eddie's calls

he starts badmouthing you on air until you do.

Hrm... Interesting turn of events. That is entirely possible.

[otohara]

20. What's The Deal...Grown Man Calling Himself "Big Eddie"?

I don't know what to make of that?

[madfloridian]

29. Well, here are some reasons his owner, Michaels, got fired from CC

From 2002, it refers to the Bubba the Love Sponge wild boar episode...those of us in Tampa remember this well.

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2002/jul02/jul22/3_wed/news1wednesday.html

"In 1993, he was named as a defendant in a sexual harassment suit filed by Liz Richards, a former disc jockey at Jacor-owned WFLA in Tampa, Fla. Richards claimed that Michaels, then the station's vice president of programming, set example for his underlings by chasing female employees down the hall with a rubber penis.
Last year, Michaels was accused of being a party to animal cruelty after a jock at WXTB, another Jacor station in Tampa, broadcast the killing of a live boar from the station's parking lot.
Perhaps even more bizarre is the long-running feud between Michaels and Jerry Del Colliano, editor of Inside Radio magazine. Del Colliano sued Clear Channel, asking for $115 million in damages last year, claiming offenses ranging from defamation to cybersquatting.
The suit centered on InsideInsideRadio.com, a parody of his magazine's web site. The spoof site is full of nasty jokes and invective aimed at Del Colliano, and even includes the number of a hot line with the promise of $100 for anyone who calls with damaging information about him. Michaels reportedly generated much of the content himself."

[Dr Fate]

21. I think he miscalculated his audience. I usually like his show.

Eddie is OK- he goes to war protests, supported Cindy Sheehan, and is a solid DEM on the main issues. He also hunts and talks sports- I like the show.

[madfloridian]

22. He bashes our Democratic leaders so often.

How is that good?

I consider what he has done to Murtha and Dean out of the norm. It is not normal for a radio talk show host on our side to diss the chairman and a well-respected Democrat congressman so much. It is not normal.

[Dr Fate]

25. I agreed with some of the things he said about Dean, Hillary, Kerry

But I dont agree with 100% of what anyone says.

[madfloridian]

26. When he told Dean to take his head out of his ass.

And he refused to listen to all the things he was doing, though we wrote him and gave him details.....he lost a lot of us. I adore Murtha, and he has really turned me off. I have not listened for months, and I won't.

He sounds like a Republican called Rush when he rants like that. We have enough right wing talking heads....no more Big Eddie.

[Dr Fate]

34. I agreed with him that Dean needs to do more media appearances.

As do many other house-hold name Democrats.

He was correct to point out that top-DEMs need to do more to get into the echo chamber.

He has also said the same thing about Unions.

I dont agree at all with what Ed said about Murtha, BTW.

I also agree with you that Ed leans DLC on some things- i just dont have a huge problem with it- I'm glad more Democrats of any stripe are on the radio.

[madfloridian]

35. If someone said on air for me to pull my head out of my ass...

I would avoid them like a plague. It was rude and insensitive, and the emails to those of us who sent them facts on what he was doing were just as bad.

[Dr Fate]

37. I do not hero worship Eddie, Howard Dean or any other DEM.

One of today's topics is the possibility that Bush bugged Kerry aides:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2351084&mesg_id=2351084

If this is a DLC talking point, then I'm all for it.

[madfloridian]

43. When people use the "hero worship" term...they have lost their argument.

That is a loser argument, and I am afraid our Democrats are so going to hurt themselves running away from everything.

There is nothing you can do to convince me to listen to a man who calls himself Big Ed, refuses to research, despises the party chairman, and calls a brave man like Murtha drunk.

Why should I? He does not seem capable of deep thought.

[Dr Fate]

46. I was not trying to convince you to listen. Do what thou wilt.

By being against "hero worship" I meant that you are free to take on Eddie just as he is free to take on DEMs who he has an honest disagreement with.

I've thought that Dean other DEMs had their heads up their buts plenty of times- they are MEN who arguably make mistakes, not gods or heros.

Dont listen to the show- fine by me. I mostly enjoy it.

[LittleClarkie]

23. Here's a comment on the issue from the producer of the show

Holmey:

First off let me say that I differ from Ed on this one, but not as wildly as some of the previous posts on this topic. Ed said that he thinks that the Right will seize upon Murtha’s comment, I disagree. They went down this road already and got there heads chopped off. I don’t want to see any more American troops spilling one more drop of blood for this farce of a war in Iraq. Having said that, I know how much more there is to the current US military than what we have in Iraq. Every woman or man who puts on a uniform for this country is extraordinary for selfless patriotism alone. I think that before anyone makes that commitment they need to learn the truth about the current state of the US military and its leadership, and weigh that against there own situation in life. I wish that Murtha and everyone else in leadership in our country would have seen this administration for what it was before we ever invaded Iraq, sadly, they did not. I also think/hope that Murtha meant that he wouldn’t want a kid to sign up to go to Iraq, but he would want people to follow in his honorable footsteps to defend America.

Now to ED

When he rattles some of your cages, you play the Rush card. Do you do that to other “Progressive” hosts, or don’t they ever take an unpopular view on a topic? If you think Ed picked this topic to get in good with AFN, you couldn’t be more wrong. First of all, this topic started on an hour of the show that’s not even on AFN, 2nd, we don’t make any money from AFN. Many of you might be new to the show, I’ll let you in on the big secret of Ed’s politics, he calls it as he sees it. No politician, party, or organization controls what Ed talks about. We are doing a talk show, not a cause or campaign.

Let me close by saying this...

If you want to throw Ed under the bus for this Murtha thing, you better be able to throw him and me under the bus for:

His Hurricane Katrina coverage and program
His coverage and trip to Camp Casey, which he paid for out of his own pocket.
His coverage of the Valerie Wilson story and access that he has provided to Joe Wilson.
His coverage of the Iraq war and the access to the folks in the House and Senate.
I could go on and on and on. I hope you get the idea.

The best thing to come out of this whole controversy is that you and I are talking about Iraq and the under appreciated heroes that are fighting there.

I think we can all thank Murtha & Ed for that.

[thebigidea]

24. underappreciated heroes? By whom?

even those against the war are seemingly required by law to first state how they are the best of the best etc etc.

"If you want to throw Ed under the bus for this Murtha thing, you better be able to throw him and me under the bus for:"

and one could quote the same sorta thing things back to him about Murtha and Dean's past activities.

both men have done a helluva lot more than some grown man calling himself "Big Ed."

there's only one big ed anyway, and he's got kind of a big head.

[madfloridian]

27. I did throw him under the bus. None responded or apologized

for the Dean having his head up his ass comments. They were almost rude. At the time Ed made those nasty remarks Dean was traveling his butt off in the South, drawing double the expected crowds.

I still have the communications from Wendy and James Holm. I keep them to remind me they don't give a damn.

If I want to listen to people making fun of Dean and Murtha, I can always listen to Rush.

[madfloridian]

28. Here's part of my post on the Randi/Ed mouthpiece controversy.

Randi talks about it on her show at times, and these are notes from C-Span with Randi and Brian Lamb. It is interesting because Ed seems to get the main Democratic Party interviews, nearly all the time. Except for Dean and Murtha...Kerry for a while, but they kissed and made up.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"It was hard to take notes on this, because she was being interrupted by Lamb so much. She was talking fast, too.

Apparently a couple of years ago there was a group of senators who met with radio people...names mentioned at the meeting of about 30 of them were Durbin, Daschle, Dorgan, Corzine, and I will have to go back and listen to see which others were named. Corzine and others were looking for reasons why left wing radio wasn't good business. Corzine said if it is good business why don't they do it?

It is good our Democrats are thinking this way, but I think we need to remember what happens when loyalty is acquired financially rather than just by belief.

After the meeting, but still well before AAR's start....there was a luncheon at Mary Landrieu's DC home to find money for soft syndication. This is from notes, so correct me if I am wrong. As I say nothing wrong with this...Democrats need to make their own media to survive. That part I agree with. But I think we MUST know where loyalties lie....same as with the bloggers working for others. I think we need disclosure or we lose again.

Randi and Ed Schultz were there, and I think they were the only ones by then. Randi thought she was just there for lunch, so she did not plan anything. Ed gave a big presentation, but she just stood at her chair. She said next thing she heard bidding...250, 350 in thousands of money for paid syndication.

She said she did not accept, he did. Ok, again, nothing actually wrong with that. Her point was that she would not allow herself to be a mouthpiece for the Democratic Party.

Many centrist Democrats were behind Democracy Radio, which gave Ed his start. I can not find the cached page now, but again nothing wrong with that either.

Democracy Radio is now defunct, and Tom Athans, the head of it is now with AAR as programming CEO. I have no clue if that is good or bad, but I just always think we should be aware.

Please note I have criticized no one, just presented the notes I took from Randi's C-Span interview. It interests me because patterns emerge when radio hosts are mouthpieces. But then I can't prove any are. Just presenting notes."

[FreedomAngel82]

30. Don't forget what Randi said about him on CSPAN too

How he took money to be a mouth piece.

[madfloridian]

32. Yes, here is my post about that.

Randi talks about it on her show at times, and these are notes from C-Span with Randi and Brian Lamb. It is interesting because Ed seems to get the main Democratic Party interviews, nearly all the time. Except for Dean and Murtha...Kerry for a while, but they kissed and made up.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"It was hard to take notes on this, because she was being interrupted by Lamb so much. She was talking fast, too.

Apparently a couple of years ago there was a group of senators who met with radio people...names mentioned at the meeting of about 30 of them were Durbin, Daschle, Dorgan, Corzine, and I will have to go back and listen to see which others were named. Corzine and others were looking for reasons why left wing radio wasn't good business. Corzine said if it is good business why don't they do it?

It is good our Democrats are thinking this way, but I think we need to remember what happens when loyalty is acquired financially rather than just by belief.

After the meeting, but still well before AAR's start....there was a luncheon at Mary Landrieu's DC home to find money for soft syndication. This is from notes, so correct me if I am wrong. As I say nothing wrong with this...Democrats need to make their own media to survive. That part I agree with. But I think we MUST know where loyalties lie....same as with the bloggers working for others. I think we need disclosure or we lose again.

Randi and Ed Schultz were there, and I think they were the only ones by then. Randi thought she was just there for lunch, so she did not plan anything. Ed gave a big presentation, but she just stood at her chair. She said next thing she heard bidding...250, 350 in thousands of money for paid syndication.

She said she did not accept, he did. Ok, again, nothing actually wrong with that. Her point was that she would not allow herself to be a mouthpiece for the Democratic Party.

Many centrist Democrats were behind Democracy Radio, which gave Ed his start. I can not find the cached page now, but again nothing wrong with that either.

Democracy Radio is now defunct, and Tom Athans, the head of it is now with AAR as programming CEO. I have no clue if that is good or bad, but I just always think we should be aware.

Please note I have criticized no one, just presented the notes I took from Randi's C-Span interview. It interests me because patterns emerge when radio hosts are mouthpieces. But then I can't prove any are. Just presenting notes."

[Dr Fate]

33. Oh- the horror. He took money from (shudder) DEMOCRATS!!!!

You mean some centrists Democrats and progressives are actually working to start their own media?

How horrible. We are truly through the looking glass.

[madfloridian]

36. Read my post again..

Randi did not allow herself to bid on, he did. Bottom line. She said she did not want to be a mouthpiece.

Watch who gets on Ed's show, watch who he likes and attacks...just listen. It did not take me long at all..

[Dr Fate]

38. Yup- he defends Hillary more and takes Dean to task more...

...but he also supported Cindy Sheehan, gave excellent Katrina coverage, and floats the idea that Bush wire-tapped Kerry.

I'm not totally disagreeing with you- but I like much of Ed's show just the same.

If a more Liberal group of DEMs wants to promote their own shows, then I'm all for that too.

[madfloridian]

41. He accused Murtha of drinking, told Dean to get head out of ass..

That is just plain rude. There is no reason for his antipathy toward those two good men...and it is inexcusable.

[Dr Fate]

44. Call his show & tell him. He does not screen calls. n/t

n/t

[madfloridian]

45. He lost me long ago. I will not bother with one like him.

I tried communicating, I have a whole folder of emails from James and Wendy. They do NOT research, they never apologize when wrong. And they were very wrong.

[flpoljunkie]

39. If Ed can rouse the red state folks from their slumber, all power to him.

What exactly did Schultz say about Murtha's comments? The CNN Pentagon correspondent just said Peter Pace was "energized" about Murtha's comments suggesting it was not a good time to join the Army. Hello? Who can argue with this plain speaking, courageous and utterly decent man?

Anyone know the context of Murtha saying this? Was in answer to a question? Sounds like Murtha was trying to protect our young men and women from being at the mercy of our Chickenhawk administration and their inept leadership of the military.

[Dr Fate]

40. Ed predicts that the RW media would use it to smear DEMs.

I disagree with Edddie on that one-they will say all of these things about us no matter what we do or say. I think Murtha has the right to speak his mind.

I dont think we need to gauge everything we say by how the media will attack us- they attack us regardless. Why not just be blunt & truthful?

I like Eddie, but I also disagreed with him on this.

[flpoljunkie]

47. Obviously, I disagree with Ed on this one, too. But if Ed can wake up the

folks in the heartland, all power to him.

Am listening to his show right now. His guests today will include Leon Panetta, Ralph Neas of People for the American Way, and Madeline Albright.

Panetta is on right now. He calls today's White House meeting with past secretaries of state, defense as "window dressing" and a "photo op."

We all know how much the Bush administration values opposing opinions, now don't we?

[flpoljunkie]

48. Panetta says Dems should use Abramoff scandal to clean up politics---

including lobbying reform and financing of campaign--he touts public financing.

Dems need to take this opportunity to be the "party of reform" and not dodge on this issue. Way to go, Panetta!

[Rainscents]

49. Eddie, he twisted Murtha's words! I can NEVER, EVER forgive him!

Murtha was talking about "HIM" and that is the way question were asked by Ted.

[madfloridian]

42. He accused Murtha of drinking, told Dean to get head out of ass..

It is rude. There is no reason for it.

[flpoljunkie]

51. Too bad, Schultz didn't take the opportunity to defend Murtha, a man

who gave an honest answer to the question, "Would he join the military now?" Ed could have said that Murtha obviously loves the military, has witnessed first hand the incredible suffering of our wounded and their families on his frequent visits to Walter Reed, and he does not like to see the military he loves being destroyed by the Bush administration. But after having to listened to Ed recently, I would say that thoughfulness, thinking before he speaks, is definitely not one of his attributes.

On the other hand, it was great hearing from Leon Panetta on the need for Dems to take the opportnity to clean up politics--both lobbying and campaign finance reform. Schultz also had Madeline Albright on. She talked about her meeting with Bush today, and she made some great points such as the meeting such have taken place years ago, and that the Iraq War was a war of choice, but that we must all deal with the consequences now.

Madeline told Ed to "keep up the good work." If Ed can get reach voters in the red states who are beginning to question Bush, more power to him. I do think that he is getting the message about Murtha. I certainly hope so, because Ed is wrong.

One other thing, Ed made a point a little while ago that he was in the business to sell ads and get people to listen to his show. Perhaps his way of saying he jumped the gun on attacking Murtha. Real presidents don't send soldiers to war just cause they want to, but when they have to--when our nation is in real peril--not the trumped up threat that sent our military to invade and occupy Iraq--just what Osama bin Laden ordered.

As for Dean, I think he is doing a great job with grassroots organizing, and I fail to see what Ed could havve meant when he disparaged Dean in that way. It is not helpful to the Democratic party to trash Dean. If he meant Dean was not on TV enough, I agree with that, and feel that Dean has performed well on the tube since he returned. I like Dean's passion. Ed should surely understand when others speak without thinking!