Is conservitive talk radio dying?

I found this and found it very interesting.

startribune.com...

Could it be that America is waking up from the brain-washing, these two people spew from there mouths on a daily basis

Or could it be that like in Rush's case, he has lost Lots of credibility, because of his drug arrests, and use

Or the Iraq war, and the war on terror

what do you think?

peace

Maybe, but the numbers don't show them tuning into Air America or NPR...perhaps people just don't want to listen to talkradio anymore and would rather listen to Madonna or something.

Doesn't necessarily mean a political shift is happening.

I used to listen to Rush, but got tired real fast of all the self aggrandizement and book promotion.

You don't have to be a Rocket surgeon to figure out that Rush is Entertainment and not really interested informing his listeners with out his tired, predictable spin.

Same with Sean H.

Drudge is just OK.

Savage is Savage.

Now I do prefer NPR

I think it is wishful thinking on the star tribunes part. War fatigue could be some of it, I'll give them that.

Roper

I haven't listened to Rush Limbaugh since before the Alfred P. Murrah building bombing which I believe his hateful rhetoric played a part in winding people up to. He's been a spewing fat-arsed fountain of hatred for over a decade now. I'm glad to hear people are finally shutting him off.

I never really listened to Hannity all that much so I don't know how he's been.

I do listen to NPR - for some reason I guess God saw fit to give me enough gray matter to sift through the bias and still get worth from it.

[edit on 8-20-2005 by Valhall]

Actually, I think it's a good sign that Americans are getting tired of vitriol partisanship. The war is grinding everyone down, and people are recognizing that divisiveness is both unhealthy and self destructive.

Because, there's one thing they fail to mention in the article: Talk Radio is often times played in the workplace, and I think they're the ones turning off in the droves. It's not that people have changed their political views, it's just that across the board, people from both sides are beginning to see the futility of the Red state vs. Blue state bickering.

But, all this comes with several different factors working together.

While they're always going have an audience of unwavoring "Liberals are evil" Kool Aid drinkers, I think the indiscretions of Rush and Bill O'Reilly have turned off some religious conservatives. There's a moral disconnect between their actions and their words.

But, then how does that explain the drop off in Hannity's numbers, when Hannity is relatively clean? I think the melding of the "Moral Pejorative" American and the "Teddy Roosevelt" American created a a very interesting dynamic, but lately the provacateurs miscalculated the extent to which the TR crowd would go.

Mainly, the Teddy Roosevelt crowd of Manly men, and tough guy Americans. Carry a big stick, and self reliance, and red meat and porn. They've grown increasingly uncomfortable with the increasingly strict moral puratinism from the Moral Pejorative crowd, who also seem desperate to maintain their power.

It's the main result of this silly, ultimately futile "Culture War".

Finally, as a small anecdote, I have midwestern relatives. Serious right wing conservatives who listen to Rush and O'Reilly every day, and watch FOX news every night. They buy the Ann Coulter books.

Then a funny thing happened. About four months ago, they just stopped watching completely. They still watch Shepard Smith and Greta, but they turned the pundits off. I still have no idea why.

I hear ya Brim.

My Mother, a Baptist Texan Republican has stopped watching all the conservative stuff and now only watches HSN and Animal Planet. I asked her "why no more PTL" ? She said, "all those jerks want is my money"
She used to be a big supporter of GWB. Now she won't even talk about him with me. When the GOP lost the likes of my MOM; Not a good sign. I guess the constant hurang against Clinton after all these years, finally wore a little thin.
,

Never to old to learn!

Don't let the ratings of a couple of radio personalities get you all worked up. People turn the radio on for a lot of reasons and politics might not be doing it for them right now. People burn out on poltics.

Thanks for you replies.

I do believe it has more to do with the Iraq war, gas prices, lack of well paying jobs with good medical insurance. Lets face it folks, things are not goin well here in the USA, and I didn't list all the reasons why things are bad.

I hope the tread continues, How can you be Happy ever in a Society whose Values are of the Rush's, and other radical conservitive media. Self-Rightous, kill em first ask questions [even if they are your own citizens] later, Nuke the muslims because they are evil and hate us because of our freedoms..
You know those same freedoms that conservitive do-gooders running our nation are taking away

keep up the good work America, we are finally showing some progress

peace

Originally posted by GradyPhilpott
Don't let the ratings of a couple of radio personalities get you all worked up. People turn the radio on for a lot of reasons and politics might not be doing it for them right now. People burn out on poltics.

I'm not burned out on politics; I love politics. What I am burned out on is the lying, vitriol and divisiveness that masquerades as politics. It's not entirely coming from the right; plenty of blame to go around.

The thing that I find really disappointing about conservative talk radio is that if you disagree with the host you are immediatly labled "anti-American", "terrorist sympathiser" and "wing nut". Just like here on ATS.
I'm glad the "big dogs" here on ATS have finally realized the name calling is seriously detracting from the site.

When talk radio eventually comes to the realization that the audience matters; I'll listen again, as for now i'll put on an Eric Clapton CD and enjoy myself. Iv'e got lots of time.

I do love exchanging ideas with all points of view; thats why i'm here.

I tend to agree with the original poster and others who have posted on this topic.
While I am very conservative in my thinking and practices ..especially politics I have not always found that this genre of talk show hosts or programming represent me to my satisfaction. I find as time goes by that they shill more for their respective politicial partys rather than the American public at large. I find this to be insulting.

I weary quickly of the dronings on and on of Sean Hannity. It just gets olde quickly. I actually like the gentlemenly manner of Alan Colmbs verses Sean though I do not agree with the party he represents or many of their platforms.
Same of Rush as indicated by some of the other posters...to much styling and profiling for me.

However ..I must agree with one of the previous posters...the other partys offer nothing new or applicable themselves. People are not turning to Air America or NPR..I agree!!

The real loser to me is Amercans themselves. My opinion is that they dont really have anyone "looking out for them" These pimps are looking out for their respective party for whom they shill. This is becoming more and more obvious as time goes by.

Thanks,
Orangetom

Originally posted by GradyPhilpott
Don't let the ratings of a couple of radio personalities get you all worked up. People turn the radio on for a lot of reasons and politics might not be doing it for them right now. People burn out on poltics.

It seems that the rise of conservative talk radio signaled a political swing to right, though most observers were not aware of it at the time. So it seems reasonable to consider that perhaps the political pendulum is now swinging in the other direction. Talk radio is only an indicator, not the cause and this is nothing but a normal political swing of the pendulum.
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Now that the elections in the dust, it isnt really "water cooler talk" anymore. I doubt many people have changed their minds either way since then. Conservatives just dont have to argue anymore.

Originally posted by have . Conservatives just dont have to argue anymore.

I don't believe you just said that!!

May I sugget a stroll around PTS. The conservatives on this site argue plenty! What's different around the watercooler?