I think Ed Shultz sucks.

[dhinojosa]

He is a Rush Limbaugh lite that couldn't get into radio as a republican and made some stuff up about feeling bad about people in Salvation Army so he became a Democrat? in 2000? Please....

He also has these rules on his show. "What's the rule #1 here on the Big Eddie program?". My answer: Don't know, don't care. He has a set of these rules that people are supposed to remember, like we are his followers. The other thing is that he calls his listeners "Ed Heads". What? Excuse me? Is that your own brand of "dittoheads". Go **** yourself. The reason I am a democrat is because I don't like being told what to do, and I enjoy thinking for myself.

That's my beef.

[chelsea0011]

1. and he's a crashing bore

:boring: :boring: :boring: :boring: :boring: :boring: :boring:

[salvorhardin]

2. but how do you *really* feel?

:-)

[XanaDUer]

3. I get definite limbaugh-wannabe vibes from that guy.

Yes, I do.

[barbaraann]

4. No, he doesn't suck.

Just because someone doesn't live up 100% to your ideal of a liberal talk show host doesn not mean he sucks. Sometimes I don't like what Randi Rhodes says or Mike Malloy or whoever, but overall I am infinitely happier with them and Ed Schultz than with any rightwing talker or even the mainstream network guys.

I listen to him often and he has a lot of good things to say. He also has a lot of good guests on--like David Brock, who is almost a regular.

[dweller]

11. and Durbin, and Dayton

he's has Left guests on regularly, and when the fanatic righties call up, he allows them to speak and try to make their point, and then takes them to the woodshed, no holds barred.

he's a good listen for more conservative Lefties, which although i'm more the 'fringe' Left, still give him credit when due.

dp

[barbaraann]

17. And he can really talk sports!

I guess that's important to a lot of people.

[rman]

5. Does Ed Shultz lie like RW pundits do?

Well then.

[dhinojosa]

9. No, I can't say that he does.

Do all RW pundits lie? Let me think about that one....that could be a while. :)

[starmaker]

6. sounds too much like rush

I listen on drive home. 30 miles of two lane curves
through the most beautiful valleys in wnc
I can take about 10 minutes and he's off my air.

[TheWebHead]

12. yeah it is weird that he literally sounds just like Rush

we get stuck with him live on KPTK here in Seattle and Randi Rhodes tape-delayed.

[googly]

44. Has any one ever seen Rush and Big Eddie together? Ever?

Or even heard them "live" together?
Is limbaugh moonlighting in disguise?

[FreedomAngel82]

38. I've listened to him once

and he does sound like Rush. I haven't heard enough of him though to judge. I mainly listen to AAR programs and RadioLeft.

[alittlelark]

42. Perhaps the fact that he sounds like Rush is a good thing.

Some of Rush's dittohead followers are blue collar, and are losing their jobs. Schultz talks about unions, sports, fishing....I imagine that a great many 'red-staters' that listen to him will relate to him. He will attract a different sort. More power to him.

[rniel]

7. I tried to listen to him twice

and got bored with it. If he's a genuine democrat then good for him, but his show is not as good as most of the others.

[KoKo]

8. We need him, because he is so similar to Limbaugh. He has

alot of Dem Congresspersons and Senators on his show. I understand what you say about him sounding and acting like Limbaugh. But, if we can get Limbaugh listeners over to our side to convert them by using the same tactic Limbaugh did, then who cares.

We are desperate at this point. And Ed is "centrist" enough that he would appeal to those who don't swallow everything Limbaugh says, but don't have an alternative. I'm a Leftie Activist so Ed is too tame for me. But, I still like to listen to him occasionally because of the guests and he does have a quirky way about expressing himself that some folks would find easy to listen to and understand concening the Democratic viewpoint. :shrug:

[dhinojosa]

10. good point...

[blondeatlast]

14. You said it better than I could. There is no "centrist" point in radio

and he's sure not going to appeal to the dittohead crowd. I do think it's interesting to get a centrist point of view, aand for that I think Schultz is the only thing we have to pick from.

Your point about appealing to the "Rush" crowd is well taken, too. These are people that don't traditionally vote Democratic, but I think there's potential there with the right approach. Schultz could be just that.

[Coastie for Truth]

15. Agree

But some of us lefties just over-intellectualize everything (which is a real turn off to lots of the old NASCAR dad, lunch bucket, tail gate party, AFL-CIO, dems that we are losing).

I grew up up in a USWA family in a USWA steel mill "suburb" of a real USWA city. And I though "Solidarity Forever" was the second verse of the National Anthem --- and Ed Schultz talks to the guys at the Renzie Bowl.

[KoKo]

37. Yes...and as I said this "Flaming, Leftist, Anarchist Dem...likes Schultz.

because as Leftist as I am...I still have a couple of "centrist" points..

That's why I think he's good. Dems are not "Cookie Cutter" like the Repugs. So as "Flaming Left" as I am...I dress up to go to protests.....do you hear what I say? I "dress up" to go to protests.

Others of us might have some points to agree with the Schultz Centrists on even if we go with our "Fuck Bush T-Shirts" and "cut offs."

The Big Tent.....should appreciate Schultz..because we Dems are truly a "mixed bunch" and yet we know that the Bushie crowd is NOT OUR CROWD no matter how we differ with each other...:shrug:

[LittleClarkie]

22. He does have a way of putting things fairly simply

We need that.

But I hope he doesn't continue to push Hillary too much. That would turn me off.

[KoKo]

39. What problem could you have with Hillary? She's progressive, she's

been a role model for Dem Females...she has a great network...she managed to throw the "Mellon-Scaife-Starr" prosecutions back in their face. She survived Monica...she has a lovely daughter who would put the Bush Twins to shame...she's educated, personable, attractive, still married to her hubbie (we think) and she's managed to make "lemonade out of lemons." What other Dems have been able to do that given what the Bushies have thrown against them? Tom Daschle is out of work...Edwards has to go back to his law practice, Gephardt is gone and Kerry is working on Kids Health Care.

What did Hillary do wrong? Can you tell me?

[googly]

45. She was the author of "Hillary Care" and they will never let her

escape from that. Dean has a much better record on health
care actually implemented as governor, and that makes him
a stronger candidate than Hillary.

[jackster]

13. at first I was wary of Ed...

and he is more centrist on many issues, but he used to be one of them and he understands them. I now enjoy his show - I don't always agree, but are you ever going to find anyone with whom you agree 100%? We are each entitled to our opinions. While he is not as liberal as many, he does have a strong voice, his show is growing in ratings, he can talk to the rethugs, and he is believable because he doesn't lie!

That's what the Dem party is REMEMBER? We're the REAL Big Tent Party!!!!!!!

Agree that you don't care for him, but remember, we are united in one thing - the destruction of this neoconservative christo-fascist idealogy that is running and RUINING our country!

[The River]

16. Then Don't listen

Simple as that.
Anyone who isn't kissing GOP a**
is OK with me. He connects with a lot
of Red Staters who wouldn't listen to
AAR or other left leaning sources.
Another reason I like Ed's is because
he is a grownup. I don't think I have ever heard
him throw a tantrum about having to
follow a few simple rules.
Your attitude really helps the Democrats win
friends and influence voters, don't ya think?

[dhinojosa]

25. Free Country. If you don't like my post, don't read it.

Life works in strange ways. :)

Anyways, I don't think Ed being post-pubescent is relevant. Also Ed is pretty forceful about his dumb rules. Often times he picks up like 10 straight calls and the callers have to come up with the answer. Crazy. It is almost sad to know that even Dems just like following people with a big mouth.

[The River]

26. I Thought You Had a Well Reasoned Post

Ya know; Facts, Figures, Arbitron ratings or
something substantial but it turned out I was wrong.
Vanity rants belong in the Lounge
->ignore ON

[DemOperative]

18. Ed is an aquired taste ,like Randi Rhodes

I find him very Limbaughesque in his delivery but why hold that against him? He reminds me of alot of good guys from the north country (Minn, Dakotas, Nebraska )who are salt of the earth give you the shirt off their back types. It's more a commentary on his region that he's too straight for you, but is considered a flaming liberal there in Nebraska .

I don't se eye to eye with him either but I'm proud to have him in the party.

[0rganism]

19. Maybe we NEED a Rush Limbaugh; Ed is about as close as we can get

Don't underestimate the impact that Limbuagh had on the "middle of the road" voters over the years. He keeps it simple, provides a ready frame-of-reference for conservatives, while continuously making the most outrageous ideas from the ultra-rightwing seem reasonable through his presentation alone. That really is a talent.

Ed comes across as a broadcasting pro, and has enough gimmicks to keep interest. Ed is the most outreach-capable voice we have right now; he can compete directly with Limbaugh for the moderates. I had my doubts about his "conversion", but on the other hand, it would ostensibly have been much easier for him to "succeed" as another conservative clone broadcaster in North Dakota. He may not be as enthusiastically liberal as he lets on, but I don't think he's a neo-con in deep cover.

Much as I like Malloy, he's too intense for many listeners. He'll say it himself: he's broadcasting for an informed base. Randi's similar, but she's got a different way of alienating those who disagree with her. Franken has greatly improved his audio-only persona, but his "Jewish Humor" thing isn't going to fly in the long run and his huge ego is a hindrance as often as it's an asset.

Ed fills a demand gap the Air America guys are going to have trouble reaching: small-town moerates. Let the Malloys and Rhodeses and Hartmanns talk to the faithful; they're our Savages and Ingrams and Medveds, and we need them too. Ed is going to help the left a lot in the audio culture, in his own capacity.

Given a choice of Ed Schultz broadcasts and no Ed Schultz broadcasts, I'll take Ed Schultz any day of the week.

[LittleClarkie]

20. He's the anti-Rush

I'll take it. He's my only liberal commentator. I don't have to listen to the real Rush wannabe in Milwaukee because I've got big Ed.

He's had Boxer on and others. He's covered the fraud. He hits just the right tone of "support the troops but not the war." He's scaring the right-wingers because he's becoming popular. And being from the midwest, they can't level the elitist thingie at him.

I like Ed. He reminds me in manner to Rush, without nearly the same level of pomposity or bloatedness. He sounds like him at times in his voice, and in the show. But he doesn't screen his calls, and I respect that.

God, I loved it when he screamed at a caller that he was Unamerican for supporting torture and thinking it was okay where we don't have a Geneva Convention agreement.

Ed's alright by me. Not perfect. But hey, what in life is. He's like a cool drink of water to these parched lips. As my other liberal friend who lives in the area said, liberal radio is like GOLD around these parts. I'll take it, I'll take it.

[farmbo]

21. Hey...lay off Big Eddy...we need his voice here in flyover country.

Our party doesn't need more consultants, celebrity spokesmen or Bloggers. We need loud, aggressive voices that speak to the audio culture of middle America.

And Big Ed fits the ticket.

[CatholicEdHead]

27. Exactly

"flyover country" will listen to him, but not Franken and Rhodes no matter what you really think.

We are a big tent and not all Republicans are far out wingnuts. Ed serves his purpose on the enterinment sprectrum of the radio. If you don't like him DON'T LISTEN TO HIM.

He appeals to some, but not all.

He is much needed and is not going away anytime soon.

[Cell Whitman]

23. I think he is fine. n/t

.

[jackster]

24. also just heard that he's backing DEAN

says that there WILL BE NO THIRD PARTY if Dean is the chair - he believes he will reunite the party as no other

[KittyWampus]

28. I Like Ed & Think He Comes Across As A Professional.

he is informed and holds his audience.

Ultimately, I think he sees much further than Randi or Mike.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

29. I'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet.

Ed's rules are: Rule number one: It's always Clinton's fault. Rule number two: (I've forgotten them) but it's said as a way to ridicule dumbya for never taking responsibility for anything. They're not rules the caller's have to follow for criminy sake; they're rules Ed says that dumbya & his cohorts follow to excuse themselves from any liability.

That said, I agree with the above posters. My neighbor-a rabid right winger-has listened to Ed & liked him & would never in a million years listen to Randi.

[LostinRed]

30. I like him n/t

[hector459]

31. I was disappointed as well. He is tooooo much like Rush.

If I want to listent to Rush, I would tune him in. Is there an anti-Rush anywhere? The closest program to anti-Rush is the Diane Rehm show. I love the way she conducts her interviews.

[Todd B]

32. I will admit that it took a while for me to grow to like Ed

I will admit that it took a while for me to grow to like Ed, but I'll usually listen while I'm in the car and I don't have access to AAR (and I don't feel like listening to NPR).

I still would prefer Randi over him, but he's good have him as an alternative. I just wish he would archive his shows like White Rose Society does so I can go back and listen to him on the weekends or something.

There are way to many shows I like now, it's hard to listen to them all. I just hate the 9-12 hour - as much as I _love_ Unfiltered, I find myself listening to Stephanie Miller because I can listen to Unfiltered archives anytime.

We really just need "on-demand" radio so we don't miss anything. :)

I think a few posters hit the nail right on the head earlier in this thread - Ed really does reach out more to the mainstream then Randi. (And, who knows, maybe Rush listeners might mistakenly hear his voice and think it's Rush and come on over to the liberal side, haha).

[stevedeshazer]

33. I like Ed

He's good radio, period. One year ago, he was on two stations (Needles, CA and Langdon ND.) Now he's on 70+ staions, in eight of the top ten radio markets.

Even if you don't like his style, it plays with the squishy middle. We need the "gun-totin' meat-eating lefties."

[tibbiit]

34. I think he is Great at what he does

I like Stephanie Miller too!
I think we are fortunate to now have our voice out on a daily basis in the right wing vortex of bushland.

At first it was almost astonishing hearing progressive/democrat points of view on radio because untill last year we never heard it! We were so programed to accept NEVER hearing our point of view even from the "Liberal Media"! How wierd is that?
Programmed and accepting of it!!!!

I am so glad they are all here (all liberal radio hosts)

tib

[YNGW]

35. He's fairly good

Of all the personalities on AAR, he's the one who floats the fewest amount of tin-foil hat stuff. That kind of thing is red-meat to the base, but IMO it really turns off middle-of-the-road type voters.

[CatholicEdHead]

36. He is NOT AirAmerica

He is Jones Radio Network, like Stephanie Miller. He is often put on many stations with the AirAmerica network.

[LisaM]

40. A lot of his listeners are truck drivers, hunters, etc.

who may feel (rightly or wrongly) disenfranchised by people like John Kerry or Hillary Clinton. I don't really believe that these people are disregarded by Eastern liberals, but red state American has certainly been taught that they are. Ed Schultz is closing the perception gap and I say good for him (and I'm glad he talks about things like sports once in a while. National chat should not be too rarified.)

[KoKo]

43. yep...and I'm not a hunter and don't drive a pick up...but he's refreshing

compared to Franken...who I can't listen to because he's too "cute" for me. But, I'm glad Franken's on...and any other Dem we can get on. It's good to have Dems who can appeal to all of us...we haven't had ANY on before! :D so...nothing to choose from..

[leesa]

41. Well, he's a start. I really can't tell much difference between him and

Republican supporters and he is trying to sound like Rush, but at least he pretends to be a progressive and it's a foot in the door. Hopefully he will be out soon and someone better will replace him.

[Chicago Democrat]

46. I think he sounds exactly like Rush, and likes hunting and guns

and is unconfortable with gays and likes sports. He's exactly the kind of guy we need to vote Democrat! BuT I agree... don't wanna listen to him..