Next Big Thing for Right Wing Talk Radio: Hate Everybody

Posted by Trish , Pensito Review at 11:05 AM on February 11, 2008.

Rush Limbaugh, whose criticisms of John McCain put him in danger of becoming irrelevant, could still have a way out: hate everybody.

That's the only winning strategy for Rush, Ann, Laura, and all the other blathering conservative big mouths, according to industry experts.

Robert Mathias, managing director of Ogilvy PR's Washington office, said conservative hosts need to begin adapting to the changes occurring in the Republican party or risk losing their audiences.

"Mr. McCain's victory creates a little bit of a loss of standing, but it is not a sea change," he said. "The party is not moving in lock step with conservatives, and if there is in fact a change occurring and if these guys don't adjust they will lose some of their audience."

[President of radio consulting firm Jacobs Media Fred] Jacobs said it's now a win-win situation for the likes of Mr. Limbaugh and his conservative cohorts. Regardless of who now makes it to the White House, they will have an adversary they can complain about for four years.

"He is actually guaranteed some great material now," Mr. Jacobs said.

Added [Talkers magazine publisher Michael] Harrison, "They can now be critical of both parties, which puts them in a much better position."

There is probably a very large demographic out there that does, in fact, hate everybody. Some of them have begun leaving comments on Pensito Review. They are not Republicans, think John McCain is a dangerous hawk, and see Mike Huckabee as too flaky-Christian to be trusted with the Constitution.

At the same time, they don't want a female president and they damn sure don't want that particular female to be president, and they are only just now getting in touch with their racist side. As they do, they are finding it really matters to them that the president be a white male.

Rush rose to fame during the Newt Gingrich Contract With America years, when both he and Newt pursued the same winning strategy. They just watched which direction the crowd was already marching, then ran out in front and yelled, "Hey everybody, this way!" It's worked for a long time and there's no reason it would fail now. FOX News should get a clue: hating everybody is the best way to engage their audience.

Tagged as: radio, limabaugh, coulter, right wing media, conservatives

Trish is a regular blogger for the Pensito Review.