Uh-Oh....Air America ratings slipping in NYC?

[Armstead]

This is from Drudge, so one has to consider the source. But if true, it's not good news.

http://www.drudgereport.com/

'AIR AMERICA' RATINGS TURBULENCE IN NY CITY: Surprising many observers who expected it to shine during election season, all-liberal upstart WLIB (1190 AM) -- base station for Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo -- actually headed south, shedding 15% of its summer audience to finish fall at 24th place in just-released ARBITRONS...

[Renew Deal]

1. Get rid of Jeanine Grafolo

maybe 7-10 will become listenable again

[jdots]

5. I have a crush on Jeanine

is she crappy on the radio ? could be but i still love her.naturally we get no air america in l.A. and the net link is not easy.
The Al Franken show is on sat t.v. but it's a radio show and i don't watch t.v. (even Jon Stewart) it was hard at first but you feel better just getting real news here.
As far as ratings go,would you buy anything from Drudge ?

[UdoKier]

7. I think she's improving.

I heard them doing a bit a few days ago that was kinda funny. A bit derivative of Phil Hendrie, but what the hey.

I have always loved Janeane, but I have to admit, I don't listen to her show much.

[I_Love_Oregon]

67. agree

She's terrible. She makes me physically ill. Don't get me wrong, I mostly agree with what she's saying. It's the WAY she says it that gets me. I think she's disturbed.

On the other hand, Randi puts a smile on my face.. that chick's got the gift.

[Old Mouse]

2. You mean over Christmas?

When they were playing reruns?

[Earth_First]

21. Exactly.

eom

[otohara]

35. These Number Do Not Reflect

the holiday's. That's why radio personalities go on vacation during Christmas. No ratings period. These are Fall numbers - oct/nov/dec- But people don't have books sent to them to reflect Christmas.

[Old Mouse]

43. Thanks for the clarification! n/t

[mountainvue]

57. Yes. I didn't listen for about two weeks

because I didn't have time and because they were reruns. Also, I couldn't deal with Sam and no Janeane.
I'm sure many others didn't listen for the same reasons.

[high density]

59. ding ding ding

You are correct, sir.

[RafterMan]

3. Seems possible

after the election and all...

[Downtown Hound]

4. They're number one in San Diego

So New York, not really a big deal. They're not saying anything that people there didn't already know.

[AP]

6. This number must include November and December, and obviously ratings

will slip after the election. Even I'm listening to the iPod in the car and have only listened to maybe 40 minutes of NPR in TOTAL since mid November.

[MADem]

8. They need to work on the FUNNY and the SNARKY

...and lighten up on the earnestness a bit. There's a fine line between an outraged, though humorous, rant and HECTORING.

It's unfortunate one has to lower the bar a bit and appeal to the lowest common denominator, but that's the way it is. People like to laugh, and if we don't laugh, we'll cry...!

[elsiesummers]

9. When I'm in the car I flip between Bloomberg Radio and Air America

And while I can't stand the mayor, I have to say Bloomberg radio talk show between 11 and 12:00 noon is better than the show on Air America. At 12:30 it's the same hosts and often the same topic on Bloomberg (beating a dead horse) and I like Al Franken better.

Usually (I'm babysitting the car during street cleaning) I just read a book.

I just don't find Air America to be something I like - although I hope they succeed. If I didn't read political news elsewhere I'd probably be an Air America addict. It just all seems like a rehash after reading politics on the web.

[Sgent]

10. It will take some time...

Remeber, most of the right wing hosts were radio personalities long before they took on conservative broadcasting (Rush, Hannity, etc.). There is a process to projecting yourself over the air, and its not an instant thing to learn, nor is it easy.

Given some time, either the hosts will improve, or more talented (in terms of radio) hosts will push their way through the ranks.

[elsiesummers]

78. The hosts of "Simply Put" on Bloomberg are better and liberal

seriously, they are more entertaining and almost never voice a truely conservative POV. They offer moderate to liberal opinions - and interesting topics.

Recently their show was on Bush's "women in combat" comments. They were totally feminist about the topic, and when a chauvanist called up they railed on him.

Also, they do examine other Bush comments, in a polite, moderate, some would say DLC sort of way, but they almost never give Bush a pass.

They had a discussion on Bush's comment about his seeming requirement that a president have "a relationship with the lord." While they might have raked him over the coals harder, they basically suggested that Bush is tossing the constitution to the wind by even suggesting that this is a necessity.

Really, Bloomberg Radio, from 11 to 12 am is better liberal radio tha Air America.

[yankeedem]

11. It's a HALF truth

http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRRatings/DetailsPage.aspx?MID=184&RY=2004&RQ=4&MP=0&OTHER=2&MN=New%20York&MS=NY&MR=1&12P=15283100&UP=1/11/2005&SU=CM&BPER=17.5&HPER=19.1&OPER=&NSD=2/28/2005&CE=0

These are all age, all day numbers. I would really be interested in seeing the Franken, Rhodes, Garafalo/Seder numbers. That is where AAR is going to sink or swim.

[wyldwolf]

13. I agree

..minus Garafalo - as much as I like her - her show seems like something you'd hear on college radio. But she is a well known "name."

To me, Morning Sedition and Unfiltered are often too cerebral (especially Unfiltered.) Radio (and TV) is a "hit and run" information source and Unfiltered often gets bogged down in the details. Good for some, boring to others.

I seem to recall several affiliate stations passing on the morning shows and using local or alternate programs.

[dbt]

14. EXCELLENT catch, yankeedem.

Radio And Records (the paper) is the Bible of the industry, dead handy for keeping an eye on Clear Channel, for instance. Their website is pretty good, too.

Old Radio Maxim #6: You make your money from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Everything else is just an electric bill.

The dayparts (as they are called) would tell the ratings story, especially Adults 25-54, Mon-Fri 10:00 AM-3:00 PM.

To call a change from a 1.4 to a 1.2 share a decline is stretching things a good bit, too.

:hi:
dbt

[wyldwolf]

15. Anyone know anyone in NY radio who can get the daypart numbers?

[MattNC]

23. Fighting Irish

he should be able to shed some further light on these #'s if he happens to read this thread.

[otohara]

36. They Are Not Published

any where on the net. Only 12+

[wyldwolf]

51. but employees of arbitron subscribing stations will have them

[otohara]

52. True, The Numbers We Need Are 25-54

for the various day-parts.

[otohara]

37. 1.1 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.2

Hey, they are up from their first book. Drudge making mt. out of mole hill.

[Eric J in MN]

80. Thanks. So they went from 1.4 to 1.2

from Summer to Fall.

2/3 of the last quarter was immediately after a horrible election.

They will probably do better later this year as people gear up to deal with more Bush.

[CWebster]

12. Well, I tried to listen

But it was during the Kerry campaign, and I couldn't share the forced enthusiasm beyond ABB. It seemed obvious to me that the issues were compromised by Kerry's positions on the issues. They were suppressed in the same way reality was suppressed at the Democratic convention. The Democrats tried to paint Allawi as a good and decent guy and I heard Franken echo those talking points with a slightly sheepish tone in his voice. The subject never came up again but that was the final straw for me. It ain't no "Democracy Now".

[Megawatt]

16. People are probably sick of politics

Seems like the campaign lasted forever IMO, IF AA sticks it out, the audience will come back.

[Enraged_Ape]

17. I hate to say it, but some of AA is getting very tiresome...

and it rhymes with Sandi Sodes.

If I hear this woman blow shit and go high-and-mighty on one more friendly caller... Well, that won't happen, because I stopped listening to her weeks ago. My blood pressure has dropped probably 20 points since then.

There are still bright spots on AA: Mike Malloy, Laura Flanders, Unfiltered, and Morning Sedition. The rest is just a bunch of shrieking and half-hearted attempts at some sort of comedy.

[DancingBear]

22. I guess it's all perception, my friend

I like Randi, but I think Morning Sedition (and ESPECIALLY Marc Maron) is 3 hours of un-listenable sophomoric drivel.

A third rate comic hack who is amazingly unfunny should be doing a stupid sitcom for WB - not trying to educate an audience.

Unlitered is average, Laura is quite good, and Malloy is fabulous. :)

[Enraged_Ape]

32. Nonetheless...

I've stopped listening to AA even half as much as I used to, and I ignore it entirely midday to afternoon. I don't need to hear a host arguing with callers during PM drive, particularly when most of them are "friendly".

And if I feel that way, I know there are a lot of other listeners out there that feel that way too.

And I agree that Mike Malloy is absolutely terrific. He gets wonderfully enraged, but he always starts out patient with callers even when they start out on the attack--just before he hammers them with the clearly explained truth.

RE: Morning Sedition. I think it's funniest when they have material from other writers besides Marron. That guy that does the "fundamentalist church sermon" is a panic.

[Ladyhawk]

47. I dislike it when Randi goes postal on liberal callers.

I finally had to stop listening to her, too.

[Jane Austin]

62. Me, too.

I really wanted to like her, but in addition to going off on callers, she often gets just a detail or two wrong in her facts.

It's not enough to change the whole meaning, but it calls her credibility into quesion.

I want everything fact based.

[cubram]

72. Randi is offensive...

but not nearly as bad as Ed Schultz!

[Cookie wookie]

64. I agree with you wholeheartedly

My morning commute I'd love to hear something good on Air America but usually just have to listen to nothing. I just can't stand Morning Sedition, it's pathetic and this is coming from someone desperate for radio during commute time. I'd love to have someone like Joe Conason or Tom Hartman.

Luckily Randi is on for the return commute. Love Randi and Malloy both. Randi is so outrageously smart and can cut through all the b.s. I was wondering today how does she have time to keep up with everything.

[skypilot]

26. I absolutely love Randi Rhodes but...

...there is one thing I kinda wish she wouldn't do: I wish she wouldn't take calls from listeners. It's not the callers that bother me but the fact that Randi just doesn't let them talk very much. She has a tendency to interrupt and talk over even the callers she agrees with and she start to do it almost immediately. I really don't understand the point of her taking calls at all. As much as I like her I just cringe everytime she takes a call.

[Ladyhawk]

48. If Randi stopped taking calls, I might listen more often.

Her tone with even liberal callers is not OK with me.

[Rockerdem]

53. What is it with rudeness on talk radio?

Why do hosts left or right have to badger their callers and give them a sentence or two? It makes it unlistenable after about 15 minutes. Instead, read news stories or do interviews with more interesting people.

[jdj]

58. yes, the good thing about Randi is the bad thing about Randi

won't take any shit, but doesn't know when it isn't shit.

I quit listening. In the first weeks she had a navy career veteran on there crying about the Iraq war, a man in his 60's, he could hardly talk, and she didn't engage with him at all, talked over him, gave him no empathy whatsoever, just didn't engage in the moment with this man and his patriotic grief at what is happening to our soldiers, that their lives are being lost for nothing. That was hard to take, with her it's all me, me, me. And there is alot of "me" there, alot of good, but this is a terrible flaw in her way of doing her show, she needs much more empathy when it is necessary.

[Cookie wookie]

66. I agree. This is Randi's big flaw. Still

I listen to her because she knows what's happening and I learn, plus I need to hear her rage since we have so much to rage about but no one else in the public eye (or ear) is doing it, just her and Malloy. If she could learn to let people talk when they are on our side, that would be a big plus.

[LizW]

18. Randi will explain it this afternoon

They always do this, and she always has to explain how radio ratings work. I would be willing to bet Drudge is misleading.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

19. question: how can they tell how many people listen to a radio station?

just curious.

seems like you would have to poll people.

anyone have any ideas?

[FULL_METAL_HAT]

20. Oh, they use exit polls! ;) ... n/t

[Armstead]

34. Diaries and phone calls

I don't know this specific one operates, but some give a sampling of people diaries to fill out with what stations they are listening to.

[MattNC]

24. I don't listen as much as I used to

overdosed on it before the election.

[Guns Aximbo]

25. You said it first

you can trust the source.

[TrueFunkSoldier]

27. I feared this would happen after the election!

Hi! This is my FIRST post! Anyways, liberals and Dems were fired up before and during the election season. We were on united front. Now that Dumbya has been "reelected," liberals/progressives/Dems seem to have laid down and died. Everyone is tired. They feel like they are facing an uphill battle...and we are! I've spoken to many progressives who've just given up. They gave their all during the campaign to see that this loser of a "president" is defeated. All that time, energy, money. Everyone is just exhausted.

It doesn't help much to have sycophants like Al Franken telling us to "get over it" and spineless DemoCraps in Congress who keep allowing the RePUGlicans to get away with all kinds of corrupt and morally-indefensible behavior.

If the Dems won't fight. If the Repugs keep getting away with everything. If we face a complacent liberal media and a lazy mainstream media that are essentially the mouthpiece for this corrupt administration. We then have no where else to turn. Hence, the ratings are in a slump. Why wouldn't they be? I only listen to Randi, sometimes Laura, sometimes Mike...but that's basically it. I supported Al, but now that I hear that he has his own political ambitions and doesn't seem to care about what happened during Election 2004, I have no respect for him or the others on board. Garafalo is just plain boring...

[Darknyte7]

28. I've been streaming AAR since its launch...

Fortunately, they are coming to a local station here in DC next week. I use to like Franken a lot, but he's just managed to annoy me since the election. I prefer to listen to Thom Hartmann in that 12-3. Still love Randi Rhodes. I didn't discover Mike Malloy until about 3 weeks ago, and I hate that it took me so long to find him. I just don't enjoy the majority report at all....

[TrueFunkSoldier]

30. Can't Wait For D.C. Premiere...

I'm looking foward to AAR coming here to the D.C. area. Don't care much for Franken, but must admit that "Lies" had be rolling on the metro. People were looking at me like I'm crazy! It was a hilarious book!

[julialnyc]

29. In NYC? Most people stream or have satellite

we (for the most part) don't drive cars if we live in the city. most people stream (and lots of people have been getting satellite)

[julialnyc]

31. They should promote on Howard

A smart move I would think.....which would help Sirius....would be to promote AAR shows on Howard. Al Franken used to be a frequent guest on Stern and Howard is the best promoter you could have (look what he did for snapple). I think AAR needs to get into better PR and let people know they are here (I have TV commercials for Hannity here in our blue state.......not as many people know about AAR as you would think).


Air America is very new (the conservative shows have been around for ages. it will take a little time). Everyone has a bit of a election hang-over right now. It will pick up.


Plus...they need to get a better signal (I can barely hear the radio through the static when I'm not streaming)

[MamaBear]

33. Not Surprising

December was impossible for regular AAR listeners. I listen a lot, being a person who has no TV and no longer as the internet at home. Al (NOBODY'S SAYING THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN!!!) Franken, I am now convinced, is on the DNC (more likely the DLC) payroll; he won't budge from the party line. Further, he may be the worst interview host I've ever heard. If I were in charge (ha-ha), I'm afraid his show would either go or be moved to 3:00 a.m.

I've gotten used to Morning Sedition (and even enjoy it most days). Randi is Randi and even if she can be abrasive, she is very good with information, and is very clear. I agree that she's not a good interviewer, unless she's having a glurge-fest with Rosie.

People blame Janeanne for the problems with Majority Report, but I think if she were on her own she would be fine. Sam Seder seems to me to be a slacker who also can't do a decent interview (because he doesn't seem to have a good grasp of the information) and his "comedy" bits are pretty childish. Janeanne does much better without him, and who is he anyway? Besides, he can only bring himself to show up about two weeks out of every four.

The biggest problem Air America has, IMO, is part time hosts who don't find people to sub for them when they're off on their many, many, many other interests. The "best of" shows are generally awful.

Al Franken had Katherine Lampher (sp?) do three solid hours of the Oy Oy Oy Show schtick on Christmas Eve. What the hell was that about?

AAR does its best when listeners can be certain to get new material at least 80% of the time, which is definitely not the case right now.

[mhr]

38. Get Rid Of Al And Garofolo

Garofolo has become much to childish and unfocused.

Al is preparing to run for political office and has become too conservative and boring.

Both have become liabilities to the network.

Find more people like Randi and Mike that speak with conviction and passion.

I would suggest putting Thom Hartmann on in Al's slot to start with.

[Maat]

39. Funny how we all have different opinions.

I love Unfiltered - I think that Rachel and Liz are very entertaining (and Chuck D). I like Randi, Mike and Ring of Fire on the weekends.

[rman]

68. got examples of Garofolo's childishness?

-

[Armstead]

40. More from Drudge...Yuch

FOR OCT-DEC, JUST RELEASED ARBITRONS NY CITY... RUSH LIMBAUGH PULLS 6.2 SHARE AT NOON, 6.3 AT 1 PM ON WABC WITH ALL LISTENERS AGES 12+... 2 PM HOUR DIRECT RADIO MATCHUP.... LIMBAUGH 5.3 SHARE, BILL O'REILLY 2.0 SHARE ON WOR, AL FRANKEN 1.8 SHARE ON 'AIR AMERICA'... MORE

[Nik Jam]

77. Yeah, more people in NYC listen to right wing trash then left wing truth!

In.. 80% Democrat NYC!

Right...

Doesn't NYC's Malloy and Rhodes cut off at the last hour? Maybe they prefer streaming it. I do, cause I don't like how my SF station doesn't air most of the shows live.

[n2mark]

41. Here are my thoughts

for what it is worth. There are times when I'm listening to Air America only to change to something else.

Randi, she is great, but her tangents get tiresome, sometimes it is her voice.

Majority Report, content good, too much arguing. Their voices both me.

Morning Sedition, they are funny and begins my morning on the upbeat.

Mike Malloy, a long time favorite before Air America. Very seldom listen to anyone else during his time slot.

Al Franken, dislike the dittohead, I do get tired of his excuses for the Democrats in office but know he must do this because he will be running for office. His voice puts me to sleep because it is boring. I guess he is taking the role of a moderate. I also find him to be egotistical. I usually change to Tom Hartman. I prefer Tom Hartman.

My all time favorite who only is aired on weekends is Laura Flanders. I sure could listen to her daily. Her voice does not bother me.

I also enjoy Ring of Fire, although again it is the voice that bothers me.

My conclusion is, it is not the content of the programs, but the
hosts who need some voice lessons for radio.

This is my personal opinion only, this is why I do and do not listen to them.

Laura Flanders is my favorite!

[Armstead]

44. I like Unfiltered

They have the same basic perspective as Flanders, though they're a little more abrasive.

[Connie_Corleone]

45. I like Unfiltered too.

I do remember one show last year where they had some guy on talking about water. I was falling asleep listening to the show. I almost stopped listening for good. But, it's much better now.

[otohara]

56. I Bet We See The Ditto Head Go Away

they will be tweaking Al Franken Show real quick. I personally can't stand that Katherine woman and her insidious laugh. She laughs so loud you can't hear what's being said or played.

[Jane Austin]

63. To each his own!

I adore Katherine Lampher, and think she is a great compliment to Franken.

She's really smart and has great timing.

To me, Franken is always informative and always amusing.

Lizz Winstead is hilarious on Unflitered and Rachel Maddow is smart, well-informed and incredibly articulate.

My absolute fave is Morning Sedition. I'm not up at that hour so I download the show to my iPod.

I could listen to Marc Maron all day long. :)

[Cookie wookie]

65. Lampher would do well to quit the phoney laughing

at Franken's unfunny jokes, though. That fake laugh drives me up a wall.

[Jane Austin]

70. Your opinion, only.

I don't think the laugh is fake, maybe because it's a lot like my own. It's loud, but I like that in a laugh.

And I think Al is really funny. Subtle sometimes, but always amusing.

Anyway, usually Katherine is laughing at the situation, or at a mistake, or at something a guest has said.

She usually "cluck, clucks" at Al's direct jokes.

Maybe you'd be happier listening to a straight news show somewhere?

[Cookie wookie]

71. What is a "straight news show somewhere?"

Where would that somewhere be? Over the rainbow? Katherine has a phoney laugh. It is nervous, self-conscious, and painfully forced, IMO.

[Jane Austin]

74. I disagree, but that's OK

I think her laugh is wonderful, and it makes me smile. Did you ever watch them when they were on the Sundance Channel? She looked wonderfully confident and comfortable. She didn't seem at all nervous to me.

But, that's my opinion and, as you acknowledge, the other view is your opinion. :)

I kind of dashed off that last part about the straight news show. Maybe I was thinking along the lines of All Things Considered.

Franken's show is supposed to be amusing and entertaining but it sounds like it is neither to you. That's all I meant.

I've seen a lot of "Al has to go" or "Janeane has to go" on these threads.

I hope Al doesn't go anywhere, but you - - as a free and discerning person - - can go wherever you like.

(I don't mean that in a snotty way, although it's sometimes hard to tell with email.)

It's just that you really don't have to listen. :)



(Edited to finish a sentence.)

[PROGRESSIVE1]

60. Malloy and Rhodes are strong. Franken has to go.

I refuse to listen to him after all of his "balanced" reporting. Since when did Rush and Co give us air time to defend ourselves.

:eyes:

Schultz is the best out there!!!

[OnionPatch]

42. It takes time to build a successful radio network

The conservatives operated many of their radio shows, including Rush Limbaugh, at a loss for a long time. I wouldn't worry about a little fluctuation in the ratings.

And I have to comment here that I LOVE Janine Garafalo. It's Sam Seder that irks me. His voice gets all high and whiny and he sometimes sounds like the epitomy of a "whiny liberal." He seems like a nice guy but I think the show would be better if she had a co-host who was more organized and stable with a better voice. (Maybe Joe Conason?) Sam and Janine together are not a good mix. They're both kind of excitable but Janine has the personality to pull it off. He doesn't.

Also, I love Randi Rhodes. A lot of people do. She had great ratings in FL and I don't believe she's the problem at all. That said, I would love to see her use a bit of constraint when it comes to interupting her callers.

[n2mark]

46. Guess what I was trying to say,

it is not the content but the voices that bother me. Sometimes they are shrill and abrasive.

[apple_ridge]

49. I have pretty much given up on Al and I get extremely annoyed

with the way Randi talks over her callers. She really needs a lesson in common courtesy.

Morning Sedition is definitely the premiere show on AAR and always provides a few good chuckles on the way to my boring job.

[Spazito]

50. Hmmm, guess Drudge didn't want to hilight this latest news...

gosh, wonder why?

Limbaugh dumped for liberal show (Air America)

BRATTLEBORO — A southern Vermont-based radio station will trade in the rhetoric of Rush Limbaugh and other conservative talk show hosts for the liberal commentary of Air America next week.

WKVT-AM 1490 in Brattleboro will replace four of its weekday syndicated conservative talk shows on Jan. 17 with programs from the fledgling liberal radio network Air America, which launched in March.

The station will be the second in Vermont to broadcast Air America programs, which include shows hosted by comedian Al Franken and actress Jeanne Garofalo.

The Brattleboro area is highly liberal in its political beliefs and the Air America shows will be a better fit for the station's listeners than the conservative programs hosted by Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly, said WKVT program director Peter Case.

more…
http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=...

(thanks to kskiska for this link)

[Sydnie]

54. Could it be because they have been picked up by other stations?

I know that there are local stations that are carrying their shows now too, as well as sirrius radio. Could that be why?

[liontamer]

55. In NYC I'm surprised anyone listens to the radio on the radio

You can't even hear my college station on campus because there's too much interference. I only ever hear the "radio" in stores or online.

[Edgewater_Joe]

61. Considering AAR's Still Expanding, No Biggie

Detroit, Cincy, DC, VT, L.A. soon -- they're doing fine. They had a surge at the beginning of their run, and frankly I think Franken's taken the last two months to regain his fastball after the Kerry defeat.

But the rest of the lineup has been developing, and now they seem to be getting other talent interested. From Thom Hartmann filling in for Randi to, of all people, former pro wrestler Mick Foley with Mark Riley on MORNING SEDITION (a vastly underrated show, IMHO), I think they're doing just fine, and Drudge is just doing some gloating as he is wont to do.

Just keep listening.

[Kire]

69. Doesn't something happen in September, when summer's over?

Like people get busy with school (and new shows come on TV, no more reruns). Well, it's just a theory.

[buddysmellgood]

73. I like Al, but I liked his show better when he was not on it. He needs new

schtick. I'm also disappointed in him. You can hear in his voice that he does not believe it when he says Bush won. He is taking money from the Democratic party to spew that bullshit about Dubya winning. His talent is for pointing out the lies and half truths. He should really be hammering on election reform.
I can't stand Randi's voice and the way she talks over everyone, but she grew on me some when she hit hard on the bullshit election.

[Jane Austin]

75. Can you explain what you mean?

Is he getting money from the Democratic Party?

I sure didn't know that and would be surprised if it were true.

[buddysmellgood]

76. No, I can't prove it. It's based on a suggestion from Randi Rhodes.

I don't think there is anything wrong with Franken taking money from the democratic party, if he is, but it would limit what he could say. The party would own part of him.

[Eric J in MN]

79. Al Franken raises money for the Democrats, he doesn't take

money from them.