Does Howard Stern Have More Political Muscle Than Ralph Nader?

[WilliamPitt]

Color me stunned. MTV is just wading right into things here...

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Does Howard Stern Have More Political Muscle Than Ralph Nader?

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1485833/20040318/index.jhtml?headlines=true

As the race for the White House gathers steam, there's a segment of voters suddenly drawing more attention than soccer moms or NASCAR dads: Howard Stern fans.

"(The Howard Stern vote) will have more of an effect than the Nader vote," said Matthew Felling, media director for the Center for Media and Public Affairs.

In recent weeks, the syndicated radio icon has launched an all-out assault on President George W. Bush, calling on his loyal audience of millions to vote Bush out of office in November.

Stern, who had applauded Bush for his decision to launch military action in Afghanistan and Iraq, began criticizing the president several weeks ago for the controversy surrounding his National Guard duty and his opposition to gay marriage and stem-cell research.

The jock's criticism intensified when the Federal Communications Commission placed Stern at the center of its investigation into broadcast indecency. (Coincidentally, Stern was last fined by the FCC in December 1992, when Bush's father, George Herbert Walker Bush, was in the final days of his presidency.)

...more...lots more, actually...

[revree]

1. As long as his fans REGISTER TO VOTE

and actually do so in November. HOward needs to keep the fire lit under their asses!!!

[MrSlayer]

2. Stern does have power.

A lot of his fans will do anything he says. And this can translate into really bad news for Chimpy. Go Howard!

[rfranklin]

3. Of course, the Jefferson Memorial will have to be renamed...

the Howard Stern King of All Media Center.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

4. stern would prefer something more phallic

so it looks like george washington would be the loser and not jefferson

[sangh0]

5. I have no doubt that Stern has more politcal power than Nader

For the last three years, many of my friends think that I had gone over the edge of rationality. They couldn't believe that I beleived all of the things I was saying. But since Stern started talking about it, all of a sudden they are not only asking me about it, they are looking to make up for the abuse they had previously given me for comparing Bush* to Hitler.

[eleny]

8. That's great to hear!

You probably deserve lots of making up. Wingers can be so nasty and arrogant.

[Catholic Sensation]

6. He's responsible for Christine Whitman and George Pataki winning

in heavily democratic states. Ralph Nader is responsible for the Corvair being considered unsafe.

[WilliamPitt]

7. From the Lounge

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x905995

[blm]

9. Yes. So does Don Imus.

Because they can sway the white male voter which SUBTRACTS from Bush's numbers while adding to Kerry's.

[Catholic Sensation]

10. I don't think Imus ever really liked Bush

but then again, I always deny that people I like could possibly be fans of Bush...

[The Magistrate]

11. It Seems To Me He Does, Mr. Pitt

He certainly has a "bully pulpit", and the ear of a demographic that the enemy can normally count upon, but which is very responsive to him. You will find few with a greater distaste for the fellow than me, but it is real pleasure to have him on our side: nobody ever said Popular Front was pretty, eh?

"People getting their fundamental interests wrong is what American political life is all about."

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[JitterbugPerfume]

12. go Howard !!

we will take it where we can get (personally I think Howard is a pig but that is just me)

[Eric J in MN]

13. Call your Senators against increasing FCC fines to keep Stern on air

Last week, the House passed "The Decency Enforecement Act of 2004" which lets the FCC fine up to $500,000 per-incident of supposed indecency.

Tell your Senators to vote against increasing FCC fines, for the sake of free speech.

Even if you don't like Howard Stern, the FCC could use these new powers against a performer you do like if this passes.

The free Capitol Switchboard number is:
1-800-839-5276

sample phone words:
Hello, can I speak with the office of Senator _______?

Hello, my name is ____, can I speak to someone about the FCC bill?

I'd like to leave a message for Senator _____, please vote against increasing FCC fines. This bill would hurt freedom-of-speech.

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If you don't know the names of both your U.S. Senators, you can look them up at:
www.vote-smart.org
If you would like to read more about this issuse, go to "MoveLeft Media" at:
www.moveleft.com

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

14. The next step for Howard is to have registration/fundraising events.

One can only imagine how irreverent/wild and fun these could be...

[rumguy]

15. Stern has major clout

People listen to him because he is always honest.

[DeepModem Mom]

16. I hope he does!

[DaveSZ]

17. The Chimp has Rush, Dr. Laura, Ingrahm, and all those idiots

But we have Imus and Stern at least. :P

I've emailed both Stern and Imus with news and infos to help give them some ammo in their jihad against Bush.

Imus the other morning called Cheney a "war criminal," and "pork chop."

I need to find out where I can hear Stern living in Austin.

[John_H]

18. No, just more sense.

[ramapo]

19. Absolutely

Stern has a very large and loyal following. Many have been fans for 20 years. Stern is a part of their lives, day in and day out, year afer year.

Nader comes along every four years and rails against the political system and offers himself as the alternative. Of course it is total fantasy as he has no political base.

This time around Nader doesn't even have the Green banner. I believe he will be marginalized as anybody with a lick of sense will have learned that a vote for Nader is a vote for Bush.

Stern has a bully pulpit and he's not afraid to use it. As bizarre as it may be, he can influence a very key demographic in this election.

[AntiCoup2K4]

20. Stern is NAILING Uncle Dick right now

For his votes against banning plastic guns, and other weapons shit, for "hiding his gay daughter", etc. And now he's airing a Bud Light commercial parody called "George W Bush: A Bad American President".

For the record, this is the first time I've listened to Stern since 9-11-01. I wouldn't call myself one of his fans, but if he keeps this up, I might change my mind. He is fucking on fire! :evilgrin:

[Beetwasher]

21. Howard Talks to His Millions of Loyal Fans EVERY DAY!

Howard's fans have a very, very personal connection to him and an unsurpassed loyalty and, dare I say, fanaticism. It's a very intimate relationship. As a Stern listener for around 20 years (though not nearly fanatical as many), I can tell you, you begin to think of him as a personal friend, and I know I'm not alone in that. That sort of connection is something that can easily overcome any loyalty one might have for a chimp you merely see in photo ops. His jihad against Bush is very sincere, I guarantee it and he WILL have an impact.

[Meshuga]

22. Stern helped Witman get elected in NJ

His endorsement helped Christie Witman so much that she named a rest stop on the NJ Turnpike after him.

It's great to hear that Howard Stern is throwing an anti-Bush campaign! I hope he keeps up this mantra until November!

[AntiCoup2K4]

23. Kerry is a goddamned fool if he doesn't jump on this.

Obviously I'm not Kerry's biggest fan. or Stern's for that matter. But right now, Howard and his listeners are one of the best assets he's got.