AIR AMERICA........How much influence do you think ?

[Hot Water]

There was no Air America last election. I think it's having a tremendous impact this time. And the Republicans are not liking it. I don't understand why ACT or MoveON doesn't do a commercial just advertising A.M.

I think it would be a great idea. Just saturate the battleground states with 10 second messages about Air America...if you're undecided, check it out. All they need is a computer.

That way the commercial would have self repeating impact all the way to the election. A focused topic ad only has a brief "shelf life". If the ad directs them to the place where they can hear tons of information from all the different hosts, not only will the ad have a thousand times value for the money, we know once they tune in...they'll be hooked.

Then they may start telling others. I can't see more return for the buck doing anything. JUST POWDER THE AIRWAVES WITH TEN SECOND SPOTS.

[shoopnyc123]

1. Listening to Randi's Friday show right now...eom

[The Great Escape]

2. I Think AAR Has Imbued Alot Of Dems With a Fighting Spirit

[AnIndependentTexan]

3. I listen to the live stream of it

we don't have it where I live but it is great. I think if we can support them by getting a better server and more power to their streaming a larger audience could be heard from it.

[Gabi Hayes]

4. I got satellite radio just to listen to it

the Best Buy guy said that everybody coming in for it lately memntioned AAR!

I listen all the time now.....have cable on in background w/sound down, in case something particularly egregious or interesting comes on

great way to kick media ho habit

love Janeane and Sam.....better than snakeboy and his evil witch wife

[Shopaholic]

6. I listen through the media streams

and I listen from 8am in the morning all through my work day. At night, if I'm not watching TV, I'm also listening to AAR. For me, it's been a Godsend, to hear fellow liberals discuss issues factually. It's given me hope, it's inspired me, and from what I've heard-it's kicked the ass in the ratings in the markets where it's available. :bounce:

[The Great Escape]

13. I Let My Local AM News/Talk Affiliate Know Why I Switched To Sat Radio...

I actually got a decent and polite reply...they did point out to me that they had dropped Dr. Laura, Savage Weiner and Laura Ingraham over the past several years. I also politely reminded them that they did add Sean Hannity in the past few years and pointed them to some Progressive voices if they were ever interested in a little balance.

[LTR]

21. Also tell them about some milder liberal talkers

People like Ed Schultz, Al Franken, Thom Hartmann and heck, even Alan Colmes. Hartmann is one that often slips under the radar, but he is one of the most articulate, informed hosts out there. Schultz has a nice small-town appeal to his presentation, and I've been getting into his show. Franken is Franken, and has some very good guests and a well-known name, and Colmes appeals to the FAUX crowd, but he does let loose a bit on his radio show. He actually sounds like a real liberal, and he's an old radio pro who knows how to package his program. He's on in many markets that may never get anything resembling liberal radio.

Randi Rhodes and Mike Malloy might scare the shit out of people that normally don't listen to liberal talk radio.

[Fluffdaddy]

22. The only Radio talk we had in Philly was right-wing. Thanks AAR

I also got satellite radio just to listen to AA
Paid over 200 bucks so I could hear in car and home. AAR saved my live. If I had to listen to Rush or Shawn one more day I would have blown my head off.

[high density]

5. Unfortunately Air America doesn't have nearly coverage we need

They're growing very nicely, but the right wing radio idiots already have the country blanketed like no other. I'm in range of two FM stations that air Limbaugh, et al while the only way I can get Air America radio is via satellite or on the internet.

[dave123williams]

7. They're preaching to the choir...but...

I still LOVE it. :)

[Eric J in MN]

8. If you want to help advertise "Air Ameirca," buy a hat or shirt at

http://www.cafepress.com/airamericaradio

and wear it.

[evilqueen]

9. not sure they can

I don't know whether moveon.org can advertise a commercial radio station or not. Isn't moveon.org a non-profit? Does anybody know the legalities here?

moveon.org may not be able to do it, but there's nothing stopping all of us from spreading the word about airamericaradio.com. I link to it from my blog, and I often pass along the link to people via email and irc.

[Eric J in MN]

11. MoveOn encouraged people to go to "Fahrenheit 9/11" and

that was produced by Disney, Inc.

[Hot Water]

10. That's why I think MoveOn or Act should do a TV commercial.

There's practically no mention of it's existence on media.

Alot of people aren't aware of it or know what it is. Or realize all they need is a computer to hear it. Millions have computers.

If it started appearing all the time on their television, I bet they'd listen to it once just out of curiosity. Then the facts would keep em there.

It's beating LimNuts in most markets isn't it? Why don't we spread the message. There are only limited numbers of radio stations. We don't NEED radio stations for them to hear it. Why spend millions for a topic ad? ACT could kill with this.

[oddtext]

12. well,

a republican friend who's had misgivings about * said he may have to "sit this one out" and refuse to vote before AAR arrived here in asheville. he still wasn't quite sure he'd do that but just was unsure of bush. after AAR, he's now sure he's not voting for bush and has been saying so for the last couple of weeks -- directly attributable to his listening to Al Franken. as of thursday, he announced for the first time, prior to the debate, he'd likely vote for kerry. this is a "live free or die" republican who HATES liberals, reads ann coulter and national review.

does that answer your question? it's having a persuasive impact on thousands of voters, i'm sure. people desperately want to hear a dissenting voice, AAR is supplying that even for republicans.

[USA_1]

14. Air America

Good to see that Air America is having a positive impact on the election by boosting the Kerry-Edwards campaign.

When you listen to the various shows (especially including the Big Ed Schultz Show which is on Jones Network), they often speak of the necessity of posting letters on web logs and sending letters to the editor in order to uphold and support the DNC. It is this type of effort that creates a consensus.

Unfortunately, you Democrats are too timid to do this. Several times on this board I have asked you to post letters or to do other mailings but none of you have ever answered my challenges to do so. But the right wingers do it all the time. Since their lies are not challenged by you this persuades the undecided voters that the pro-Bush liars must be saying the truth.

Silence is death. And your willing silence on internet web forums leads some to believe that the reich wing lies are true. Thus, your silence will lead to Bush's "re-election" and to the ultimate death of this great Land.

Let us hope, however, that Air America will be able to persuade you Democrats to desist in your fears and that you will be persuaded to talk up and fight the evil powers that be before it is too late.

[LTR]

15. AAR is mostly preaching to the choir

It's news and entertainment for the left.

But it's effect on non-liberals? Probably not a lot. But it is nice to have an alternative to the RW crap on the dial.

Personally, I think the internet as a whole has had more of an effect.

[oddtext]

16. i agree,

AAR largely reinforces the beliefs of the already converted. however, it's my sense that more people have questions about policy these days than have had in the past. AAR may supply answers for those confused souls who search. it's clear that other media fail to supply perspective.

[Hot Water]

17. Are you kidding?

I picture myself trying to be unbiased and listening to Mike Malloy or Rhodes for the first time. If you come away after that broadcast without a reasoned self doubt that you better know Bush maybe isn't the person you should vote for, you need a brain implant.

What someone needs to do is boost that exposure of A.M. Non liberals will tune in just as a joke. Then it's too late. They'll be educated.

[LTR]

18. True, but you have to get them to listen first

AAR's programming won't do anything if they're not listening.

People tuning in to AAR are mostly talk radio and political junkies. The rest are listening to music stations or CDs.

Besides, most of the non-converted would likely be scared shitless of Rhodes or Malloy. I think they're both very good, but lots of people are turned off by them the same way they're turned off by someone like Mike Savage. That's why I like someone like Ed Schultz being put on a lot of AAR affiliates. He has a real down-home appeal that gets people listening. I actually like his show.

[RafterMan]

29. "Preaching to the choir"

Doesn't matter.

Limbaugh preaches to the choir. The effect comes when the choir goes forth and preaches. Then they all have a set of (more or less) solid prefab arguments that they don't have to reason out and test themselves.

Unfortunately, I think AAR drops the ball on this sometimes. "Majority Report" did like an hour with some playwright *the day after the debate*. That show in particular should have been nothing but passing out ammo. Oh well.

That said, it is better than nothing. As long as it provides the troops with a reasonable and steady flow of good talking points, it will fulfil its function. If the hosts think they can get a bigger audience by padding it out with infotainment, that's a separate argument.

[henslee]

19. Huge effect. Promotes books, films. Legitimizes democratic movement.

Sad to say. Provvides talking points to million. The fact it is a work in progress makes it precious.

[Bongo Prophet]

20. There has been some short term influence already...

A buzz is starting, and that will grow.
in the longer term, the impact will be much greater.
It will encourage, consolidate and organize the progressive/liberal base as well as present an option to others who might never have known other sides to current and historical issues. It will broaden the reality of people gradually, and that will be good!

[Hot Water]

24. I agree.

But it's only an effective buzz now. We gotta make it an effective ROAR!

You know what I'm talking about with ten second spots? Just quick and suggestive. But constantly on as often as possible.

It's some of the most effective advertising there is. If someone is TRULY undecided, they should want to check it out.

[Bongo Prophet]

26. I like the 10 second spot idea!

i just have no power to implement. Maybe a quick post to AAR's site.
I'll do it after dinner!

[rndmprsn]

23. Air America..

has made me listen to the radio again...freaking brilliant and an idea whose time has def come.

just ordered an air america t-shirt today too.

[Hot Water]

25. Well, that's two of us anyway.

What we want is Bush out. And undecideds to hear our points. What could be more effective than getting our 24-7 messengers promoted? I sure can't think of anything

[CrowNotAngelGRL]

28. I mainly listen

online since I don't think we get it here. I don't listen to the radio anymore. Mainly when I'm in the car I listen to my cd's (now it's Green Day with "American Idiot").

[CrowNotAngelGRL]

27. I'm new to Air America

and have been listening to it for a few days now and love it. I mainly listen to Mike Malloy's show. He seems to have a lot of callers which is great. :bounce:

[snowbear]

30. Air America in the Great White North

The station here (Anchorage) that provide's Air America started out with only Al Franken's show. But it was such a hit, they kept adding other programs. :toast:

There's still one right-wing (local) program on for an hour after Al's show and before Ed Shultz' show.. but with the popularity of Air America, they'll probably be ditching the local show soon. :D

[Touchdown]

31. It won't have nearly the impact on this election.

...but they'll be a force to behold for the mid-terms in 2006. We can take back the House then, if we don't do it a month from now.

Remember, the Repugs credited Limbutt for their 1992 takeover. They called it the "Talk Radio election".

What's having the biggest impact this year? Take a gander.

[Hot Water]

32. Oh it's having an impact.

And I think we should all give a big shout out to all they're doing.