From its weird Rick Santelli beginning, the conservative Tea Party movement has relied on constant support from Fox News and national talk radio.
Less examined has been the role of local talk radio in amplifying the national Republican message, and actively aiding and abetting teabagger events.
Around Albany, NY, we had (until Monday) three talk radio stations, all of which helped promote teabagger events last year.
So when one of those stations changed format (to awful easy listening) this week, the local teabaggers blew a gasket, some of them blaming Obama, natch.
Details, below.
WROW, 590 AM, switched formats Monday, which meant no more Steve and Jackie in the morning for the teabaggers. And no more Glenn Beck, Dennis Miller, Dave Ramsay, John Gibson, Alan Colmes and Joey Valentine.
Every weekday, WROW had a mere three hours (6-9 a.m.) of local programming -- Daybreak with Steve and Jackie.
The Steve (Van Zandt, a local comedian/impressionist) and Jackie (Donovan, a former traffic reporter) show was teabagger central, with regular "Liberty" callers hating on Obama and the Dems to hosts that agreed with them.
Steve and Jackie even set up their own teabagger event, "The Recall Revolution -- The Taking of Green Island," that was sparsely attended.
The teabaggers really appreciate media exposure, so they're pissed they've lost an easy, anonymous outlet, however low-rated, for that.
So a few dozen rallied outside the station's offices today, and they bombarded the Times Union business blog about this incredible injustice.
The only TV video of the lame protest is here.
In Dennis Yusko's story about the protest, the station manager showed up to talk with the teabaggers, explaining that low ratings, "not politics," was the reason for the change.
The protest included a bit of town-hall rudeness, with one teabagger yelling:
Glenn Beck is the most popular voice in America.
The teabagger wailing and gnashing of teeth, plus some conspiracy theorizing, was on full display in the 200-plus comments about the change at the TU's business blog (presumably a record).
Here's a sample of wingnut reaction, in a relatively Democratic part of the country (each paragraph is a different commenter):
I am shocked. I enjoyed the discourse and an outlet to be able to rant against the machine. Albany, NY and this state in general define a corrupt political establishment. It was the only show where one could call without restriction and be heard. Ian was the worlds best call screener and this show will be missed. What a shame.
I listened to Steve and Jackie everyday, as well as Glenn Beck. Without a doubt, they wanted these conservative radio personalities off the air!
Steve and Jackie were entertaining and informative. Hopefully, their venue will be picked by another station. I loved it when they p_ s ed-off the left wing wackco’s! Appearently they p _ sed-off the wrong person(s) as well.
Ah, The political Left forcing their aggenda again, keep the masses stupid and uniformed! I hope Beck, Miller, Ramsey and Steve move quickly to another station for those of us who want to stay informed. With any luck the new 590 will fall on it’s face. But I guess that won’t matter if the Progessives get their way because you the taxpaxer will be pay for the new stations’ survival and wages.
Free speech is a democratic imperative. Crushing free speech is the first step in the road (highway) to tyranny. When free speech is silenced, liberals and conservatives should be alarmed. If you think there are not larger forces at work here, you are naive and ignorant.
I am so disappointed about this change, it is the GOVERNMENT, the SOCIALISTS have dictated that if they do not like it, it will be changed. I will not listen anymore, Steve and Jackie were great, I will miss them. SO LONG
Coincidence that this comes two weeks after Obama blasts cable TV and radio talk shows. Who conducted the ratings? ACORN? the DNC? Umm! Keep an eye on any new stimulus money going to the media.
This is the government shutting down conservative talk radio both locally and nationally. And thats all it is. They are fundamentally changing this country and we will all pay with our freedoms..SOBs!
In the worst media advertising market in decades, one very little station decides that they have a better chance at a 2 share with easy listening than with mostly conservative talk.
A basic free-market business decision, obviously not affected by the FCC or the Obama adminstration.
Some upstate NY teabaggers believe that the dark hand of the Kenyan usurper is behind this radio format change.
When it is all about lousy conservative talk radio shows, one local, others national, which have not attracted enough listeners and advertisers.
And therefore FAILED.