Who does Randi think she is? Bill O'Reilly?

[Dufaeth]

She sounded just like him while yelling over Nader the whole time. I agree with her, but what was the point of having him on if she wasn't even going to let him talk?

[CatWoman]

1. oh, get a grip........

at least she was a woman about it and told the man she was mad at him.

what did you/he expect? a serenade?

[Dufaeth]

2. What, I think it is a fair criticism.

She totally spazzed out.

[CatWoman]

4. she did not

he repeatedly wouldn't answer her question, and she refused to let him attempt his spin.

[bpilgrim]

19. 'she refused to let him attempt his spin'

sounds like bill o'really to me :shrug:

peace

[sangh0]

42. O'really doesn't LET his guests answer the question

Randi Rhodes insisted on it.

I'm surprised you have so much difficulty distinguishing the difference between the right and the left.

[bpilgrim]

51. talking over your guest

is the same thing

note: i like randi and am glad she is national

peace

[sangh0]

54. I'll repeat. Maybe this time you'll read it

They BOTH talk over their guests.

O'really does it when his guests answers the questions

Randi does it when her guests DON'T answer the questions

[bpilgrim]

66. going right for the insults, eh

suprise.

peace

[sangh0]

70. That's what you get

for speaking in non sequitors.

My previous post pointed out that they both do it, but for different reasons. Your response - "They BOTH do it"

Brilliant! Simply brilliant!

[bpilgrim]

80. ic

i deserved it, for pointing out that talking over your guest is the same thing as not letting your guest answer :crazy:

and now you tell me it's OKAY, if you have the 'right' REASONS... sure, whatever.

cya

peace

[sangh0]

87. Yep, with the right reason, it IS OK

When someone is rude to you, and not answering a question IS rude, then you shouldn't expect flowers and candy in return.

When I get in arguments with Freepers, I do it ALL the time. Sometimes, I get applause. People fight for people who show they're willing to fight for themselves. So feel good about your polite self. I'm not backing down

[bpilgrim]

92. thats the problem

folks feel entitled at times to be rude.

look it is EASY to listen to your friends but difficult to listen to your critics so i am not suprised.

peace

[sangh0]

94. Yes, milquetoast is a problem

Thank God Randi doesn't suffer from fear of being rude to prick.

[Dufaeth]

20. I dislike O'Reilly not just for his

opinion but for his tactics. Seems to me she would have done the same thing to a republican Jeremy Glick. She seems to have a major ego and is unwilling to discuss things in a reasonable manner.

[bpilgrim]

25. she has a HUGE ego

but you need one in her business ;->

peace

[CatWoman]

28. peace

:hi:

[bpilgrim]

31. word

:hi:

peace

[Dufaeth]

33. This is true. eom

.

[Posinegativeman]

55. Her act was uncalled for

She showed no respect for the man. She needs to get a grip on professionalism and courtesy.

[CatWoman]

63. oh I get it

you're positively positive she went positively negative towards his positive negatism.

[sendero]

76. You presuppose...

... that he deserves respect. Many of us don't feel that way any more.

[He loved Big Brother]

180. All liberals deserve some respect in my book.

[xultar]

3. Yell Randi Yell. She was Angry. We're all Angry @ Nader. I'd a yelled

@ his ass too!!!!

[Ksec]

5. I absolutely loved it!

He deserved it. She was pissed and I totally agree with her tactics. Fk being nice when youre pissed. Let it go baby

[wryter2000]

12. Right on!

I'm sick of listening to that smug *(&^(&* claim that Dems are no better than Repugs.

[bearfartinthewoods]

57. a i allowed to appreciate the irony of that statement considering

the subject of the thread?

[Colin Ex]

146. I was kind of thinking the same thing. nt

[redqueen]

160. I should hope so

:crazy:

[King_Crimson]

6. I only got in on the tail end of it...

but it sounded as if Ralphie the Punk wouldn't mind seeing this network go out the window! Why can't he conduct himself like a gentleman? I'd call him a prick...but that's part of a man!

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

7. i thought it was juvenile as well

if she's such a straight shooter, why didn't she use this tactic on kerry, edwards, lieberman, daschle and all the others back in 2002 when they voted for the war and everything else dumbya wanted?


this was just a leftwing version of FAUX news, blindly toeing a party line. liberal radio needs to be bigger than this and not just another bunch of bullies with mics.

[sangh0]

43. Because they answer the questions. Nader dodged

and Randi was right for banging on him for it

[messiah]

48. What?, she yelled and talked over him from the begining

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

53. she never grilled those guys on the IWR vote

where were they when the rest of us were opposing the shit bush proposed. she gave them a pass because they had 'd's next to their name.

nader's an easy target for her to blame, when in truth, he was out front on opposing bush's post-sept 11th agenda before the democratic party and randi caught on

[sangh0]

89. Too bad

It's Randi's show, and she decides who gets asked what. If you don't like that, you can start your own show. If Nader doesnt like it, he cant start his own show too.

Then, I can change the station

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

130. how utterly arrogant of you

you might want to talk to rove. i think he's hiring.

the 'it's my show, i can do what i want to" argument is so childish. just because she has a mic doesn't make her above criticism.

if she's guilty of participating in the lowering of public discourse by being a dnc version of hannity, the so-called 'godess' needs to be called on it

we can do better than this. political debate in this country shouldn't be turned over to a bunch of egomaniacal djs

[Goldmund]

150. I absolutely agree with you.

She sounded like Hannity, or worse, like my dad.

We have arguments and facts on our side. We don't need to resort to this verbal guerilla tactics.

[sangh0]

152. "she's guilty of participating in the lowering of public discourse"

Yeah, right. Public discourse was at such a level before yesterday.

[Room101]

59. I agree Randi was terrorable

It sounded like the left wing version of Hannity. No question about it she has balls but the Hannity style filibuster needs to go. I'm really turned off but will give her another try.
It was very dishonest of her to ask him on to do an interview then just yell at him not allowing him to respond.

[Lex]

8. I wouldn't be nice to a guy who is

possibly going to fuck up the election for the Dems.

Nader needs to get a grip. He needed a good talking/yelling to. Nobody else was saying what needs to be said.

He was a pompous ass and she wasn't having ANY of it.

[dolstein]

9. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who finds her annoying

She's the left-wing version of Rush/O'Reilly. But frankly, her politics don't make her obnoxious demeanor any more palatable.

It's pretty obvious that he invited Nader to appear simply so she could bait him into hanging up. Mission accomplished. But frankly, she could have done more damage to him through patient and informed questioning. Sometimes a stiletto is more effective than a sledgehammer.

[wryter2000]

16. She just said

She just said that she'd tried to get him on her show before, but it wasn't good enough for him until the first day of Air America.

[bpilgrim]

23. interesting

thats the same charge he makes against the dems

peace

[wryter2000]

17. She just said

She just said that she'd tried to get him on her show before, but it wasn't good enough for him until the first day of Air America.

[Malikshah]

22. Key Point!

All those being offended need to see the reality.

The issue is Nader is an opportunist and she called him on it.

[bpilgrim]

27. the same one he makes against dems

no access to policy makers unless you have tons of $$$

sounds like they both got a point but no one is listening to eachother :shrug:

peace

[Malikshah]

37. This is a message that both Nader and Dems talk about

He didn't want to talk about the effect his candidacy has on others.

He wanted to sell himself and take softball questions.

He didn't want to accept any accountability

She disabused him of that notion.

Peace back at ya:D

[bpilgrim]

44. nader is talking about access to the dem leadership

they decided to leave him out the loop.

sounds like they are paying the price for a bad policy decision but NONE will take responcibility for it now.

:shrug:

peace

[Malikshah]

52. It's called reality

As a Dean Supporter the same shit happened.

As a Reno supporter the same shit happened.

Nader is speaking as if this is news. It isn't, alas.

Randi has ripped all sides -- even her good friend Rob Wexler for his votes-- she doesn't mince words and backs up all she says.

It's high time folks like Nader realize that dancing to other's tunes and playing the spoiler will have consequences that they have to take some responsibility for-- he refuses to and needs to be called out as often as possible.

His message is lost when his ego gets in the way.

[sangh0]

62. No, reality is that it's wrong to not give access to Dem leadership

to the man who is determined to destroy the Democratic Party. Didn't you get the memo?

According to the maniacs on the left, the DNC is supposed to open it's doors and it's arms to St Ralph in order to prove to the fringe left that we really, really, want their vote and will do anything to show them our "spine", including groveling before St Ralph

[bpilgrim]

71. exactly

it is wrong to deny access to folks who should be a natural ally.

oh well, some never learn.

peace

[sangh0]

75. You're a natural ally. So is everybody here

Maybe McAuliffe should invite all 40,000 of us over for a sleep-over

[bpilgrim]

82. thats right

maybe you should pass McAuliffe the URL here

much more practical doncha think?

peace

[sangh0]

90. not really

but it's not like I expected brilliance from that post

[bpilgrim]

112. oh

i'm not brilliant enough for you, eh.

oh, well guess i'll just shut up now.

peace

[bpilgrim]

68. ic

well maybe some want to change 'reality'

peace

[sangh0]

74. Maybe some are delusional

and think a radio will change "reality" (as if the word needs quotes around it)

[bpilgrim]

85. and think they can change the world

just rember that your 'reality' isn't the same as mine (hence the quotes)

:hi:

peace

[sangh0]

93. Delusional

to think Randi letting Nader speak changes reality.

[Sterling]

123. Radio did change reality.

Why do you think we have an army of uniformed ditto head hate mongers running the country?

Sang it is possible to make a point without coming off as a bully or angry. It helps people to see your point of more clearly.

[sangh0]

153. You have an odd definition of a bully

It just looks like another morally pure fringe leftist complaining when someone disagrees with them, and exagerrating the situation to suggest that Randi was violent. All she did was talk. That's not bullying.

If you had a real argument to make, you wouldn't have to exagerrate. A study of history shows that emotional arguments are more persuasive, and people tend not to believe arguments presented in an academic and unemotional tone. It tends to put people to sleep, which does NOT lead to a clear understanding. At best, the nap might lead to a wet dream.

[Bandit]

49. So because she has an issue she needs to turn off new listeners?

She may be old hat but this is a brand new forum and she needs to be aware that she is trying to bring in a new audience not immediately turn them off by being rude and offensive. Some on the left like that "In Your Face" format that made Rush famous but a very large portion do not. Let the Hate Radio live with the right.

[sangh0]

67. Breaking News

Spectacles and controversy make more listeners tune in than tune off. You're the 1st person I've heard argue that "being rude and offensive" will hurt a radio personality's ratings.

[Bandit]

86. Well I guess I'm the only person in America that finds it disgusting and

I do not listen because of it. I'm sure that as crass as America is that you are right, and more like that behavior than not, but I for one do not. I find it offensive but if that is how the new liberal media trends I predict it will be a colossal failure.

[sangh0]

97. Not the only one. Just one of a few

and you shouldn't expect anyone in the media (left or right) to cater to a small minority.

if that is how the new liberal media trends I predict it will be a colossal failure

And I suspect your "prediction" is really just a "wish".

[Bandit]

120. No not a wish

I am a Liberal through and through A Proud Liberal and I want a better America. We have had many go arounds you and I but sometimes we agree and mostly we don't but I do not believe being hateful is providing for a better America no matter what the majority thinks about it.

[sangh0]

154. All the evidence contradicts you

As well as in modern America, history shows that the it's the angry arguments which get people to change their opinions. You can talk about "a better America" all you want, but the things that made this coutry better --things like unions, child labor laws, civil rights laws, etc-- were brought about by angry people making angry speeches against those that opposed these policies.

MLK spoke in approving tones about "righteous anger", and encouraged it amongst his supporters.

[devinsgram]

121. Exactly,

It's great to be nice and polite, but that's why we have the shrub in office now. Time to take the gloves off. I'm all for civility, but I can not take for more years. Randi's great.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

18. right down to the inflated ego

what's this 'the goddess' crap? about as mature as 'hannitizing the vote' or changing your last name to savage

she really needs to get over herself. political debate shouldn't be the intellectual equivalant of WWF smackdown

[minkyboodle]

I agree

I guess I'm glad to have a Dem version of that style to counter all the others... I guess.. It certainly isn't for me. I didn't even make it to the Nader interview, Randi has always rubbed the wrong way (Its not just the in your face stuff as I am a big Malloy fan). Oh well to each his own.
Scott

[minkyboodle]

149. self deleted (accidental duplicate)

[Robin Hood]

10. Nader is a democratic opponent.

Certainly no friend of the progressive movement.

[eablair3]

47. how are dems "progressive:?

Nader is a democratic opponent.

Certainly no friend of the progressive movement.

Nader is more progressive than your normal run of the mill Democrat. Nader is also much more democratic imo. Some Dems like Kucinich can be called progressive. But, not too many others. The progressives really have no or little say, and Nader is getting and will get that voice heard in the next few months at least to some degree more than it otherwise would be heard.

[Missy Vixen]

11. YEEEEEAHHHHHHHHHHRGH!

She just played the Dean Scream!

I am LOVING THIS! Take that, Ralph!

Julie

[CatWoman]

13. LOL, Julie

LOUDER!!

"YEEEEEAHHHHHHHHHHRGH!"

[Sterling]

127. She did WHAT?

Please tell me she is not a Dean hater too?

[ultramega]

128. Me too. God, she SOOO spoke for me

I can't believe people are calling her too abrasive. Where is the outrage???

I'd never heard her before, but I know what I'll be listening to from 3:00 to 7:00 from now on. Why the can't people accept her personality and thank her for finally saying what a gazillion democrats would say to Ralph if they only had the chance.

Let's start another fight: if she were a man, would people be telling her she should be nicer?

Why are people trying to make all liberals fit in one mold? All republicans may not like Rush Limbaugh, but they appreciate him come election time. And you don't hear them calling him "abrasive." I never thought I'd say this, but there seems to be more room for diversity in the Republican party than among liberals.

[TheWizardOfMudd]

14. It is a point

I really don't care for that attack style toward guests, either.

[King Coal]

15. Ralph could take a lesson from Lanny Davis.

Randi was gunning for him, and he should have been smarter than he was.

[slinkerwink]

21. lol, stop whining

[Dufaeth]

24. For some reason I had the delusion that our side

was better than that. I guess I have to grow up though.

[slinkerwink]

26. oh come on---you complain when Dems have a spine? Nader is

a fucking pariah to Dems.

[Dufaeth]

29. A spine?

So all this time I should have been saying bill O'Reilly has a spine. I see now.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

34. there's a difference between having a spine

and being a loudmouth bully

al franken beating o'reilly on every point in a debate is an example of the former-so is chomsky slaying wiliam f buckley , randi rhodes screaming over ralph nader is the other

[sangh0]

45. Actually, I doubt you can tell the difference

Al Franken, a former high school wrestling champ, has been known for getting involved in physical assaults. I don't think Randi Rhodes has done that, so if either of them is a bully, it's Mr Franken

Yay for our team!!

[Sterling]

125. Oh Really?

Franken has been convicted of assault and battery
? Tell us more please. It's funny because he comes off so level headed even in the face of hotheads. That is why I enjoyed listening to his show so much today. If Randi's show is going to be a RW still yellfest I might pass.

[sangh0]

155. Really

You might want to read Franken's book. He's quite proud of his wrestling

[Malikshah]

32. One has to drag folks up

The idea of being "better than that" got us the chimp.

This is a cultural war. One must stick to principles, but one must also understand the reality. Nader went on the air for free advertising. He wanted softball questions and a platform to support his cause without responding to the effect he has had on the elections.

He does not care that chimp was elected nor that his candidacy can be used by neocons to suit their ends.

She called him on it and refused to back down. He refused to listen to her side of the argument and wanted to attack her attitude. That is a losing strategy.

She, like many others, refuse to play the "better than that game" Many of us know that one has to get dirty when playing with scumbags.

[Dufaeth]

35. I have no problem with Hardball.

But hardball is not the same thing as yelling over your opponent so they cannot answer.

[Malikshah]

39. He was repeating himself.

And not addressing the points she was raising.

Until he accepts responsibility--he should expect the same from many.

[slinkerwink]

141. whine, whine! want some cheese to go with that?

;-)

[Neecy]

30. I was fine with it

I sensed that Nader was testing the water to see if he'd get lots of free airtime on Air America to help in his cause to give Bush* the WH in November.

I think he now has his answer.

I just wished she'd asked him about all of the Republican money that's gushing into his campaign, and why he's not returning that money. Certainly it gives his candidacy the appearance of being a Republican ploy to give Bush* the election, so if he was so high 'n mighty returning it would make sense.

[The Spirit of JFK]

36. Dodging the question

Someone FINALLY gets to ask Nader THE question and he dodges it.

If you want a "guest" to blather on about his/her agenda (or anything OTHER than the question) then watch the networks who won't ever force their guests to stick to the question(s).

The difference between Randi and O'Reilly is that O'Reilly will start blathering over someone or cut them off if he knows the answer he hears is going to make HIS opinion look bad. That and he also just likes to make stupid accusations and then cut to something else.

You want air time? Then stick to the topic!

[Dufaeth]

38. All she did though, was

scream her own agenda over him.

[The Spirit of JFK]

46. Only after

it was apparent that he didn;t want to stick to the topic.

If Nader had any sense, he would have sucked it up, answered the question and then moved on to his agenda. I think Randi would have been fine with that. And I would have been fine with it if Randi treated any of the other candidate like that.

Yes, yelling is a little juvenile, but pussyfooting around and letting others avoid the issues are strictly for the network whores.

[tkmorris]

50. I dunno

Seemed to me as if she gave him several opportunities to actually *gasp* answer questions, but he wanted to preach instead. Granted he didn't like the questions but so what? Please remember that this guy campaigned HARD in swing states in 2000, bagging Democratic votes. He said he wouldn't but he did anyway. It's not that he's wrong about his issues, it's more that his approach to solving them is detrimental to all of us and he simply will NOT face up to that. He was pissing me off too frankly.

Randi strikes me as too aggressive at times but Nader earned that one. It's about time someone gave him a faceful of what he earned. Anger is sometimes a justified response to the actions of others.

[bpilgrim]

64. i think nader is a 'monster' of the dems own creation

and by staying angry at him for 3 years isn't going to help anyone.

i think a better approach would be to bring everyone into the fold not push them away.

anger is something i am sure ralph feels too and being faced with this hostility i am sure wont help bring his influence to our side.

peace

[sangh0]

69. Talking out of both sides of your mouth

Above, you were complaining about how Nader hasn't been given access to the Dem's leadership, implying he is important enough to deserve it. Now, you're complaining that Dems are making more of him than he deserves.

Which is it? Is Nader important enough that he should be given access to the Dem's leadership, or small enough to be ignored?

[bpilgrim]

88. no, i am simply saying that nader is their creation

like finger cuffs... the more you try to ignore or fight him the tighter he hangs on.

maybe it's time for a NEW strategy :shrug:

peace

[sangh0]

98. Or maybe not

Maybe it's time to call him by his real name "Mr Republican"

[tkmorris]

116. Ralph feels anger?

Fine. But he needs to face what he did in 2000 and how people feel about it and he also needs to explain his clear intention to do it again. If his point of view is "I think it is more important to make my message heard even if it means the Dems lose", then he needs to say so. Trying to claim that his candidacy has no impact on who wins is just dishonest and quite frankly it makes me angry.

Ralph reminds me a lot of PETA. I agree with the principles for the most part but the methods chosen to influence things are having the opposite effect. They are both hurting the very causes they profess to support.

Reality is what IS. Ralph running helps the Repubs to win. Period. If he is fundamentally incapable of dealing with that it's his problem.

[eleny]

40. Get used to it - this is Randi

And more often than not, she'll just go off the air without much fanfare. In fact, she used to just say "G'nite, ya bastids!". this is not a Randi tea party.

[seabeyond]

41. what made me proud being on the left

was listening to quomo one night with hardball chris matthews and regardless of what was given him, in even tone and intelligence he ripped it up.

matthews sat in awe, mouth hanging open in much of interview

[codegreen]

56. what she wants and needs is publicity, and now she may get it!

awesome New York radio style! works for Stern, will work for her!

she knows she's probably the best talent Air America has, and she's done awesome to come out blasting both barrels and showing she has what it takes!

i think this was an awesome move on her part. Randi is the star.:nuke:

[Dufaeth]

61. Talent?

Rargh!Rargh!Rargh! I had sex with that guy too! Wah! No one mentioned my name in the paper! Can I be your star too now?

[codegreen]

73. one line dismissing one day of broadcasting. i've listened for months,

and if you want to tune out, fine. i don't care.

[rooboy]

58. Nader didn't pick his mark well...

he tried to treat Randi like it was her first day on the job. And she's not like Bill O'Reilly because she doesn't claim to be "independent". So don't be too upset if you don't feel like she's "looking out for you"...

[Dufaeth]

65. She is like him, not for her politics, but her actions. eom

.

[sangh0]

79. Gee, I guess politics don't count

on a political board


:crazy:

[Dufaeth]

84. No, my original comparison

is not based on what they call themselves, but how they react to someone of a differing opinion.

[sangh0]

99. And politics is of no significance

on a political board?

Yeah, right

[Dufaeth]

106. Are you paying any attention at all?

me - "She sounded just like him while yelling over Nader the whole time. "

roo - " And she's not like Bill O'Reilly because she doesn't claim to be "independent". "

me - " She is like him, not for her politics, but her actions"

you - "Gee, I guess politics don't count on a political board"

me - "No, my original comparison is not based on what they call themselves, but how they react to someone of a differing opinion."

you - "And politics is of no significance on a political board? Yeah right"

Yes her Politics are different! What does that have to do with her acting like O'Reilly?!?

[sangh0]

114. Are you paying attention?

You're on a political board. Politics makes ALL the difference, just as saying "Your smile is so sexy" is polite when said to your girlfreind, but inappropriate when said to a child.

Believe it or not, context counts. Nader was rude, so Randi was rude back. O'Reilly is always rude, no matter what

But then again, they both have 2 arms, so maybe they ARE the same.

[Dufaeth]

117. My point was not Political!

Context makes a difference, but she still is using O'Reilly tactics. Of course she and O'Reilly are different politically.
If I had been discussing politics I would have said
"Hmm, they are different politically"
Anatomy:
"Hmm, they both have two arms,they are the same physically"

But hey guess what! I was talking about their style:
"Hmmm....They both yell over their guests not allowing them to talk. Stylistically they are the SAME!"

[sangh0]

159. "My point was not Political!" - that's why your point is silly

It's not an "O'Reilly tactic". It's a tactic that has been used by the right, the left, and everyone in between over the course of MILLENIUMS. Thousands of years.

Ignoring the context of history, and the political aspects of propoganda tactics would be silly out in public. Here, on a political board, it's hard to beat as an example of cluelessness.

[Dufaeth]

179. Oh damn my point is silly.

She can't debate reasonably. Sure the tactic has existed forever, doesn't make it any better

[neverborn]

60. From Kos -- worth reposting.

I'm tired of this "respectful" crap that Liberals have to play too. You don't see Conservative radio personalities acting civil towards us, so why do we have to tone down our anger? It's total bullshit, we want our Senators and Representatives to have a spine...it seems Liberals should look at their own advice as well. Tired of Democrats acting civil towards Nader, when we all know he's a spoiler...we've been too nice to Nader and let him off so many times, and it's nice for once to hear someone express the same anger that I feel against him and how he's doing more harm than good to the progressive movement. What does his run for the President brings to the progressive movement? Not a damn thing when Bush gets re-elected. So I heart Randi Rhodes. Give em hell, Randi! :D

[sendero]

95. My very first post....

... on DU was of a similar point. Folks that think you can fight a volcano with a wet blanket annoy me.

Why are liberal ideals so abhorrent to a large segment of the populace? Because blowhards like Limbaugh sold some snake oil and people bought it.

There is something to be said for passion and being emphatic. There is something to be said for anger. To a people who do not have the time or the inclination to follow the nuances of a political race or governance, defending your position with quiet reason went out with the icebox.

Media personalities better take a page from the convervative talk radio play book - because it has been VERY SUCCESSFUL FOR THEM.

[salvorhardin]

72. Huge ego but...

Randi does have a huge ego, but as they say, it takes all kinds. I've been listening to Randi courtesy of WhiteRoseSociety.org for quite a while now and although at times she is a little over the top, she is arguably the most professional and polished personality on Air America. Personally, I can't stand it when she sings along to the bumper music, and I don't think shouting down Nader was so hot either but then no one is programming to me personally.

I think there might be a little bit of sexism going on here too. Everybody loved it when Mike Malloy trods all over a repuke guest or obnoxious caller but when Randi does it, it's perceived as being negative. It's often OK for a guy to be aggressive but when a woman does it she is seen as pushy. Maybe I'm out of line.

Another consideration is that Randi views herself as a professional and that means her first job is to pull in ratings. When she was up against Limbaugh in her market (West Palm Beach, FL) she consistently beat him in the ratings. When she moved to WJNO she basically had to start all over again but again took her time slot to #1 in the ratings. Air America is a brand new network with very few stations, albeit in very large markets. In order to survive, it needs ratings. It needs advertising dollars. Randi's job is to provide them. I trust her (20?) years experience will steer her on the right course.

For the first time in well over a decade there is a strong counter to the over 400+ hours of conservative talk on the radio. Al Franken, Randi and JG (the woman whose name I can't spell) are all very strong personalities and have had successful careers in the entertainment industry. Let them be themselves and do their shows as they see fit. If they suck, they'll figure it out.

Besides, you don't have to listen to Randi if her style upsets you.

Just my two cents.

[Dufaeth]

77. Never heard Mike Malloy before

thanks.

[alarcojon]

151. Welcome to DU, salvorhardin

I also think there might be some sexism going on here. B-)

[salvorhardin]

156. Thanks for the greet. :-) n/t

[redqueen]

161. Difference

"Everybody loved it when Mike Malloy trods all over a repuke guest or obnoxious caller but when Randi does it, it's perceived as being negative."

Randi didn't do 'it' to a 'repuke'. Randi did 'it' to someone who has spent his whole life trying to improve this country's political system.

I won't be listening.

[Justpat]

78. She does grow on you.

I didn't care for her when I first came to FL, but after a couple
of weeks, I couldn't stand to go a day without listening to her.

She takes no prisoners. And she has a tremendous grasp on the facts.
Callers can never trip her up no matter what the issue happens to be.

[Dufaeth]

81. Because she'll yell over them? eom

.

[salvorhardin]

91. Me too

Hate to sound like an AOLer (apologies to any AOL people here on DU) but I agree. You took the words right out of my mouth!

Takes no prisoners is a great description of Randi. She is fierce and stands her ground and gives it up to no one.

You are right about her grasp of the facts too, although more than once I've had to grit my teeth when she's gotten a science or technology fact just bald-faced wrong! However, that's quite rare unlike the way the neo-cons play fast and loose with sci-tech.

[Old and In the Way]

83. "We can't afford you, Ralph" LOL

Ralph Nader - A Party of One

How would you get your agenda passed, Ralph? Well, the Democrats would support me. Duh, why wouldn't we elect a Democrat then Ralph?

Don't feel too bad for Ralph. He'll get plenty of media oxygen from Hannity, O'Reilly, Limbaugh, etc. Ralph will get so much support from Republicans, we'll be hard pressed to figure who they'll be supporting in November.

[bobbyboucher]

101. Nader is right on most of the time.

Is he not allowed to run for President? Is he not aloud to speak freely about corporate control of our government?

Being AnnCoulterBitchy to Nader is no way to gain ground. It quite likely with strengthen his supporters' resolve to stay the course.

Leave Nader out of it. What he says is true. Go after the real problem, Bush.

[ldf]

137. "Go after the real problem, Bush"

whom we have in office because of..... why????

several reasons, true, but one of the major reasons being ralph nader.

strenghen resolve? well, up to now the rabid right, who uses the very tactics so many are condemning here, have known that they can stomp all over "liberal democrats" and we will just say nice things in return. that has worked SO well in bringing the american populace over to our side.

apparently with randi that is not an option. she knows what works, and has the gonads to use the same tactics that work so well for the opposition. but she has the truth to back her up, instead of a steady non-stop stream of lies.

so she screams, big deal. as long as she is screaming the truth, more power to her.

go randi!!!!

leave nader out of it? i think not. besides, with nader, it is ALL about nader.

great logic for supporting the dark side, and with your 666th post, no less.

:-)

[Old and In the Way]

139. We were too nice in 2000 and let Ralph spread his message

unimpeded. Ain't gonna happen this time. Ralph gets no quarter from me in this election.

He's free to run. I'm free to call him a lackey of the Republican Party.

[redqueen]

162. Exactly, she's hurting, not helping

Just like all the Nader Haters (Clenis obsessers, in repub terms) here, she only further disenfranchises those who are SICK TO DEATH of being left in the dust by dems chasing repub votes.

[Q]

96. She sounds like Ann Coulter...

...and just as offensive. She comes off as a 'shock jock' after listening to the calm, reasoned discussions of previous hosts and guests. Even friggin G Liddy came off as more reasonable.

- You can't convince people of the truth when you're yelling in their faces. On another thread DUers are saying that she needs to be like Rush and the other fascists in order to be 'heard'. I disagree...and I hope they replace her with one of the many other fine 'liberal' voices.

[sangh0]

100. Q just hates it when a Dem shows spine

It makes it hard for him to say "The Dems have no spine!!!"

[OKNancy]

102. BWHAHAHAHA

n/t

[bobbyboucher]

103. Dems attacking Nader is just plain stupid, and spineless.

They should be attacking the people who are the problem, not Nader. He is not the problem so quit hiding behind it and show some spine and go after the problem.

[Dufaeth]

108. Spine does not equal raving lunatic. eom

.

[sangh0]

110. Oh, I forgot

Dems have to do it perfectly, or not at all. If they even so much as try and then get it wrong, we'll make them the center of attention of the circular firing squad.

[Dufaeth]

119. No, I just like to be honest

O'Reilly is an ass.
Rhodes is an ass.

Their politics don't change that.

[sangh0]

157. So now it's dishonest?

Then how come you can't identify ONE lie Randi told?

I just like to be honest

Given your baseless accusation that Randi lied, I have my doubts

[Dufaeth]

178. Look

I'm am not accusing her of lying. I'm talking about "intellectual honesty" in this discussion. Just keep spinning.

[redqueen]

163. Criticizing anything associated with Dems = circular firing squad?

Interesting...

I wonder if this kind of thinking has in any way contributed to the sickening death spiral we've seen in politics over the past 30 years.

I think so, yes.

[sangh0]

167. No, criticizing the things that work = circular firing squad

The "criticizing anything Dem = x" is getting pretty tiresome, and convinces no one but the choir. It's role as a standard response to criticism demonstrates how weak your position is. If you had a real argument, you'd address the issue instead of misportraying disagreement as censorship.

[redqueen]

170. So Randi screaming at fellow liberals works?

I didn't know that.

Look, it's obvious that many people on this board think that it was in bad form for Randi to go off like that on a fellow liberal. Democrats may consider him 'the enemy', but many liberals don't. By acting like this, Randi ensures the left stays fractured.

Maybe you think this will help get those possible Nader voters on board with Kerry. I don't.

[sangh0]

172. What a hyprocritical response

All of a sudden, you have a hypocritical objection to attacking a liberal. It's never seemed to bother you when you attacked Kerry or other liberal Dems.

[sangh0]

177. Here's redqueen attacking a liberal

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=428703#429130

but who know thinks it's wrong to attack liberals. I wonder if it has anything to do with Nader?

[SideshowScott]

129. HAHAHAHA! My god man that was a good one...

You hit it right on the nose there.

[Woodstock]

143. I must say, that was dead on

There is no doubt that Randi Rhodes has a spine.

Good for her! She just won a fan for life for that one.

[Doomsayer13]

147. didn't you know?

when Ralph Nader trashes the Dems, it's becuase he has the courage of his convictions and has a backbone. when Dems fight back it's becuase they're O'Reilly-esque lunatics. Can't touch the saint, no no no

[redqueen]

164. Faulty argument

"Showing a spine" is not equal at all times.

Randi should 'show a spine' and criticize those that have created the problems - weak-kneed dems and republicans. By attacking Nader she's helping to ensure the left stays fractured.

[sangh0]

168. hypocrisy - Randi showed her spine and you criticize her for doing it

The only ones getting fractured are those who oppose the Dems, like Nader.

[redqueen]

171. Randy blew up like O'Reilly at a fellow liberal

Does O'Reilly attack libertarians?

:crazy:

[sangh0]

173. Yes, you do it ALL the time

O'Reilly attacks ANYONE who doesn't follow the message of the day.

And you've never hesitated to attack liberals, until now

[Name removed]

105. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sangh0]

107. And here's Q quoting Jefferson

the man who advocated a bloody revolution every generation:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1137413#1140247

But if a Dem speaks over Nader, Q compares her to Anne-thrax. To summarize:

Bloody revolutions every 25 years - Fine
Talk over Nader - What kind of Nazi would do that?

[bobbyboucher]

111. Here's sangho boring us

with his searches of past posts. Attacking Nader doesn't show spine. That is the point.

[sangh0]

113. ANd here's Q saying we should give Bush* hell

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=543658#543693

Too bad he didn't tell us it was supposed to be the polite version of hell.

[bobbyboucher]

115. Boring.

:boring:

[CatWoman]

118. See you found another thread to piss in

Is this Character Assassin :shrug:

[Q]

124. Don't misrepresent my position...

...because you know damn well I've been saying that the DEMOCRATIC PARTY should be the ones fighting Bush* tooth and nail. In our (formerly) two-party system of government...they're the OTHER FRIGGIN PARTY and they're not doing their jobs in keeping the GOPers honest.

- Talking heads won't bring our country or democracy back to us. We 'elect' representatives who promise to protect and defend the Constitution. Part of that duty is to provide checks and balances and maintain the balance of power between the 'coequal' branches of government.

- The Democratic leadership has failed us...and allowed Bush* to grab too much power.

[Old and In the Way]

140. What's Nader, but the epitome of a talking head.

An every 4 year talking head. He's either naive, egotistical, or a Republican water carrier...probably a combination of all 3.

And sorry, but, Sangh0 nailed it perfectly. Your rants about the spineless Dems are well known here. You are rather disingenuous to moan loudly and at length on this topic and then jump to Nader's aid when Democrats see him as part of the Republican problem.

Whether you like it or not, the majority on this board are not going to give Nader a free pass in 2004. We did that in 2000 and he drained just enough votes to give the Republicans cover to steal the election.

Nader is no better than Bush. Both are running to take votes from the Democratic Party. He's free to run and I'm free to call him a lackey of the Republican Party.

But keep the rants up about "spineless Dems".....the RNC appreciates your support.

[Woodstock]

145. Time for another "Dems Suck" vanity thread, Q?

With the underlying, "Go Nader" message?

[sangh0]

169. So now Q says only the DEMOCRATIC PARTY should have a spine

Ordinary Democratic citizens should just STFU.

[LeftwingPitbull]

104. I know.

Because she knows Nader makes good points. Kerry will not save us folks. You will wake up to that reality soon.

[Sterling]

109. I heard the same complaint from a coworker unsolicited.

I did not hear her today. in fact I have never heard her. I am sure I will check er out but Nader hate is not cool. Most liberals don't want him to run but still respect him and agree with him.

[tkmorris]

122. So does Randi!

She is just frustrated that Ralph can't seem to grasp that his candidacy is harmful to the very ideals he claims support for. If Ralph really wants to change things there are tons of ways to do that but trying to undermine the Democratic Party is just stupid.

[Sterling]

126. I don't want Ralph to run either but

I hope she can change the tone so as not to piss off the many people who are just getting their first exposure to her. I am pulling for her and ALL of the new liberal media people. We NEED this.

[tedzbear]

134. Why not listen to Pacifica Radio?

They aren't trying to be shock jocks, just informative journalists.

Pacifica rules!!!!!!!


:kick:

[wyldwolf]

138. "most liberals respect him and agree with him"?????

Funniest faux stat I've heard all day.

[sangh0]

174. Some people actually believe Nader represents most of the left

They can't imagine that even the left despises him.

[tedzbear]

131. Sorry, but she gets on my nerves...

She is too loud, shrill, and obnoxious for my taste. She reminds me of the freepers.

I will stick to Pacifica Radio and their polite, informative reporting. I don't need to be bullied into my decision making, just educated.

She should let Nader do his spin and then counter it with her facts. She doesn't have to be so combative.


She is imitating the enemy.

:thumbsdown:

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

133. amen

i'll stick with amy goodman. that's a hard-hitting journalist who can out-debate rightwingers anytime without acting like a dumbass

[FDRrocks]

148. amen

to both of ya :)

[dawn]

132. I liked her show!

I think she did great. It was entertaining.
I don't see what the big deal is.

My only beef with her show was that there were way too many commercial breaks!

[Toot]

135. Me too!! I never heard her before, but...

I really enjoyed her. She caught my attention and kept it. She wasn't hating on Nadar, IMO, I felt she was just frustrated with him, like I am.

[SideshowScott]

136. Randi Rocks! I liked that she took it to Nader

I knew there was going to be a big thread of Nader lovers crying about it. You people don't like it when a Democrat has a spine. But will complain endlessly that they dont..Im sorry I view Nader as a Friend that cant wait to stab you in the back once he gets the chance. What part of hes running against the Democrats do people don't get? Randi is a staunch Dem and had to saw first hand what he did in Fla and of course shes pissed. I'm glad we have a personality full of bluster on our side..We need it..It seems that people think that Nader should play in the big leagues with T-Ball rules.

[He loved Big Brother]

181. I like it whe Democrats have a spine

I also like it when progressives of all persuasions have a spine. Nader has a spine.

[Guaranteed]

142. "Liberal talk radio host berates Ralph Nader"

LOL now THERE'S a headline.

[neverborn]

144. Eh Link?

[Zinfandel]

158. Only nicely spoken polite liberal Democrats should speak.

If Limbaugh, Savage and O'Reilly scream and yell and are rude to liberals and get their message across and get high ratings...that doesn't mean we democrats should do the same thing.

So what if we go off the air or don't get as high of ratings at least we're not being rude and obnoxious and falling into the trap of playing their game. Just because they do it doesn't mean we have to, we democrats are better than that. We believe in Karma.

And if we lose to the republicans at least we can sleep at night knowing we did the right thing.

[SahaleArm]

175. Sleep in what - a cardboard box of purity? n/t

[redqueen]

165. Some on the left feel that in order to win, we must be like the right

We'll have to wait and see how it works out.

[sangh0]

176. and a very few on the left think we should win by losing

we'll have to wait and see how *THAT* works out

[John_H]

166. LOL! BWWAHAAAHHA! Thanks for making my day.

[K8-EEE]

182. So Sick Of Naders Schtick...Yell Away Girl!

God that felt good. He just kept saying the same damn thing, just shut UP we can't afford you, asshole! That's it exactly, we really can't AFFORD this bullshit from him for these abstract reasons, it's down to Kerry or Bush, PERIOD.