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An Air American Girl

By Andrew Varnon, Valley Advocate. Posted June 11, 2005.


Meet the Air America Radio personality that has Rush Limbaugh asking, 'Has anyone heard of Rachel Maddow?'
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It's 5:18 a.m. in New York City on Wednesday, May 11. In a sound studio on the 41st floor of the high-rise at 3 Park Avenue, Rachel Maddow is working her way into the second segment of her early morning show on Air America Radio. She stands while she talks, leaning against the desk and holding a page that she's reading from in one hand and a pen in the other hand. "Now, every day here at The Rachel Maddow Show," she says,

"We poke a sharp stick at the soft, white underbelly of the right-wing scheme machine, giving you a little peek at the right-wing playbook for privatizing, polarizing and paving the United States of America. Today's underbelly story is kind of a big-picture look at the overall right-wing approach to the social safety net. Right? The idea that the government can help where free market forces fail. Where there's some social contract to turn to if you're sick, or if you are unlucky or if you are fortunate enough to live beyond your working years and actually retire."

Maddow relates the news that a federal judge recently ruled that United Airlines could default on its employee pension plan, throwing it into the lap of the federal government. With 134,000 employees affected, the United Airlines pension default is the largest in the past 30 years, perhaps ever. With US Air already having defaulted on its employee pensions, Maddow sees the beginning of a trend that doesn't bode well for American workers, at least in the airline industry. Still looking down at her script, she points a finger at Chris, the sound engineer, who plays a sound clip that Maddow had asked him to queue up during the break. In the clip, a representative of the flight attendants' union signals her displeasure at the ruling and says her union will continue to fight it in court.

Then, Maddow turns to her analysis:

"It's one thing to think about how the employees of United and US Air are being screwed by the companies that made these promises to them, but it's another thing to think about the right-wing playbook here -- alright? -- the way that this thing fits into the overall right-wing plans for the social safety net."
She brings up the declining numbers of companies that give health benefits to their employees, and how that leaves government as the backup. The Republicans want to take away that backup, Maddow says. Not just Social Security, but Medicare and Medicaid, too.
"So if the companies aren't doing it any more and the government isn't doing it any more -- at least if the Republicans get their way -- then who's taking care of your health insurance and your health care needs and your retirement? Well, you are, alone. On your own. The Republicans want an individualistic, every man for himself, eat the poor, capitalist, for-profit system, because that's best for business, that's best for people with money. They want to shift the risk -- right, because risk is what the social safety net is really all about -- they want to shift the risk from the government to you."
She's set it up. First she laid out the airline pension defaults, then she moved to the Republicans aims on Capital Hill. Now, she turns to the counter strategy. She holds up a finger, as if making a point in an argument with somebody standing in front of her, only there's no one there.

"Now, the Democrats, I think, need to start articulating this basic fact, start talking about their different approach to this issue, because I think people accept that the role of government generally -- it's not controversial to say -- is to take on some of the risk where some of the individuals can't manage it, right? To take on some of the risk where you are disadvantaged because of your age, because of ill health, because of being unlucky."

Maddow has dropped her script now and she's going on feeling. Chris, the sound man, brings in background music, a driving dancehall beat. The music begins to rise, signaling that the end of the segment is approaching.

"There are ways in which we can't live as beasts in an asocial environment, right?" Maddow says. "There's a way in which we come together for the collective good to support one another. When we're down on our luck or when we get old." According to Maddow, the Republicans are going about this the wrong way, creating a giant crisis as "an excuse to shred these programs that create the social safety net." The right way, Maddow says, is to try to find a way to get at the root of the problem of rising medical costs and to try to make them more affordable. "How's that for a Democratic program? Are we still looking for one? It's 27 after."

Right on time. Chris cuts to the commercial break.

The Rachel Maddow Show is billed as Air America Radio's front page. Launched on April 14, it is one of the newest programs on the liberal talk network, a network that many predicted wouldn't last beyond the 2004 election. The show stars Rachel Maddow, who joined the year-old network as part of the ensemble cast of Unfiltered with comedienne Lizz Winstead and rapper Chuck D. When Air America Radio reshuffled its programming in April, bringing on notorious daytime television host (and former mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio) Jerry Springer's radio program, Unfiltered got the axe. Winstead got the boot, Chuck D. took a weekend music show, but Maddow was moved into the station's leadoff spot, captaining her own hour-long program of rapid-fire news and analysis. Air America Radio has garnered a lot of buzz for its big-name celebrity hosts like Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo, which has also earned the radio network its share of criticism for its big splash strategy. If Air America was designed to be a quick knockout punch that would deflate the power of Rush Limbaugh or help defeat George W. Bush at the ballot box, it's a double failure. But if there is a long-term future for left-leaning talk radio in America, Air America will have to blend its big-name talent with a system for bringing up new talent from the grassroots. A sign that this may be happening is Rachel Maddow, who vaulted to Air America Radio from her position as morning show host for WRSI in Northampton.


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Has anyone ever heard of Rachel Maddow?
Posted by: Ellie1 on Jun 14, 2005 11:43 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The entire Air America crew should be appreciated and congratulated. Another WOMAN OF INTEREST on this network is Randy Roades. She amazes me. I don't know what I would do without Air America in this authoritarian time we now must endure.

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Make the show longer.
Posted by: oktsorev on Jun 16, 2005 5:48 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Perhaps the show could be made longer, like a 3 hour show.I would like that, afterall, the Limbaugh's etc. do nothing but repeat themselves constantly. With a little repitition and even more content, this could be the beginning of something really big. We need this kind of dialogue.

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I loved Unfiltered
Posted by: roonie on Jun 18, 2005 9:25 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
but don't get to hear Rachel Maddow because of the time. I do like her, though - funny, but also serious and competent. As for Randy Rhodes, I think she's rude. Even if I agree with her points, I can't listen to her because she is so mean, sometimes in a passive-agressive way, to the callers. Plus she curses like a sailor and I usually have the kids with me.

I think the women on Air America are an assest - Jenine G. and Franken's co-host - oh - Katherine Lanford, that's it. They're really good as well.

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» RE: I loved Unfiltered Posted by: victhpooh
Air America sexist?
Posted by: Cary Onn on Jun 20, 2005 4:29 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I stopped listening to Air America when Rachel Maddow got demoted in time. I'm near a radio 8-3--i.e., much of talk radio prime time--and what does that get me on Air America? Men, men, men, men, men, men, men--and mostly white, too. (Katherine Lanphere doesn't count because she's subordinate to Al Sexistpig Franken.)

In other words, the new lineup is terrible. And it makes clear that "progressive" privileged white boys learned nothing from the sixties. Maybe they still think the best position for women is prone.

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» RE: Air America sexist? Posted by: Paul D
victhpooh
Posted by: victhpooh on Jun 20, 2005 6:03 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I loved UNFILTERED. I'm still in mourning for it. Rachel is wonderful, so much more interesting than the monotonous (sp?) Jerry Springer. How about giving her a show when people can actually listen? Love Morning Sedition.
One comment tho: Make the AAR website more user friendly and link to the interesting articles and guests. Its hard to write stuff down and drive at the same time!

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I WISH ONE OF TWO THINGS RE RACHEL MADDOW
Posted by: littlemanintheboat on Jun 20, 2005 7:24 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
either that she was not lesbian so that I could have a chance with her or that I was a lesbian so that I could have a chance with her...oh well. next life..maybe. Love you Rachel!

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HAS RACHEL COMMENTED ON THE DOWNING ST. MEMO?
Posted by: wbeckham on Jun 20, 2005 9:25 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If she has, it would be nice to read these comments in the AlterNet. I can't get AirAmerica but am glad to hear that their is a Rachel Meadow doing Liberal Talk Radio.

By the way, has anyone tried to find the person who created the Downing Street Memo and get him/her to elaborate on it? This might produce enough evidence to demand an investigation.

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bmt
Posted by: bmt on Jun 20, 2005 12:15 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I don't need to know what she is wearing, you never hear about what a man is wearing, I just want to hear about e=what she is doing/saying

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» RE: bmt Posted by: davidt
Could be a lot better
Posted by: Edward George on Jun 20, 2005 1:03 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am a WWII vet liberal progressive Alben Barkley Democrat and I listen often to Air America, but I'm always disappointed. It's always dancing around the edges trivia. There are so many opportunities missed. Here are a three examples of many many non trivial things that could be applied, employed effectively, elaborated on, used in examples and hammered home to refute Republicanism, the Bush League and the radical wrong:
Fact: Life is continuous; that sperm and that egg are as human and alive as a six cell embryo.
Fact: Capitalism is a religion. A blind, mystical and totally unproven belief in Adam Smith's "hidden hand."
Facts: Purchase of stocks, bonds etc. is loaning money for interest. In biblical times loaning money for interest was considered a sin.

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» RE: Could be a lot better Posted by: sterlingwisdom
Bevvy
Posted by: bevvy on Jun 20, 2005 2:25 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Funny, I was just telling my husband last night that since Rachel's morning show folded, she seemed to be everywhere on TV, which is fantastic. She's articulate, level-headed and sharp. But so is Randi Rhodes. I do worry about her abrasiveness with people who disagree with her, and with her insistence that there was a dialogue when in fact she spent that time screaming them off the air. HOWEVER, every show is a civics lesson with her. She knows the system...be it military (she was in the Air Force), government, or politics, and makes sure people understand not just the story but the context and framework it occurs in. I think all the guys at AAR are doing a fine service to this country and are key to providing alternative venues for much needed information that the MSM simply is too timid to address. Viva AAR!

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Air America...a sigh of relief for lefties
Posted by: morningstar777 on Jun 21, 2005 12:57 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Air America is a soccerpunch in the gut to right wing extremists. It belittles Bush and tears the right winged agenda apart. And I love every minute of it!!!!!!
YAY AIR AMERICA!!!!!

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Ike
Posted by: IKE on Jun 21, 2005 1:17 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The real star is in California, Stephenie Miller in the morning is stop on. She is so funny I almost drive off the road. I have been a fan of hers for years, and she finally has a voice. Her Father ran for V.P. with Barry Goldwater. Her stand up news and "Tinsle Talk" are the best. Give her a try.

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Maddow is the best on Air America...
Posted by: ericn613 on Jun 22, 2005 1:35 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...and I was quite disappointed when Unfiltered got the axe. I'm glad she's still around, but one hour at 5:00 AM is just not enough. No offense to Springer or Franken, they're both great, but Ms. Maddow is quicker, funnier, sharper, and, most importantly, more informed.

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you don't have to wake up so early
Posted by: eharrell on Jun 23, 2005 12:29 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Maybe someone already mentioned this, but for those people who say the show is too early, you can play it any time of day here:

http://www.MaddowOnline.com

(I have a little problem which is that I think Rachel is a total dreamboat. Sometimes I feel bad about it, because I should be FOCUSING on the ISSUES and on being enraged about the Republicans, but sometimes I just get lulled by her sexy voice. Now that she's on the Situation it's better because most of the time they're just talking about some Michael Jackson crap so I don't feel as badly about getting distracted by her way-hot face. Phew. I just want to start a fan club where we watch the Situation and put it on mute whenever Tucker Carlson talks.)

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Terrible lineup
Posted by: slackboy9 on Jul 5, 2005 7:17 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I agree that the lineup is terrible. Rachel is on way too early for me to listen to. I loved "unfiltered" the way it was and the time slot was great. I can't stand listening to Jerry Springer. I turn him off!

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I'M WITH MORNINGSTAR777!!
Posted by: davidt on Oct 15, 2006 4:23 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
YOU CALLED IT.

SO MANY OF THESE CRITICISMS ARE UNFATHOMABLE TO ME.

1, AAR HAS BEEN ON THE AIR ABOUT A YEAR.

2. IT HAS TO CLIMB A BIG MOUNTAIN, EVERY DAY TO SURVIVE IN THE FACE OF THE IDIOTOCRACY THAT MAINTAINS ON AM RADIO YACKJACKDOM..BUT SURVIVE IT HAS.

3. IT HAS A WONDERFUL LINE-UP.

4. CONSIDER WHAT IT HAS TO DO VIS-A-VIS THE GOP GERKS--THINK, BALANCE, EDIT, CULL, COLLATE, NOT PREACH, NOT BERATE, ENTERTAIN, WALK THE TIGHTROPE FOR DISPARATE SPONSORS (WHICH IS THE DEMOCRATIC HERITAGE!!) WHEW!! YOU TRY DOING THAT 24/7 AND REMAIN VIABLE & SSSSSSAAAAAANNNNNNEEEEE!!!!!!?

5. WHAT DOES THE OTHER SIDE HAVE TO DO? READ THE DAILY TALKING POINT SHIT SHEET & CASH THEIR CHECKS WRITTEN BY BILLIONAIRE GOP SUGAR DADDIES.

DO YOURSELVES A FAVOR AND ASK "GEE WHIZZUMS, HOW COME THE DEMOCRATS ALWAYS LOSE BIG ELECTIONS? THEN GO IN YOUR BATHROOMS, TURN ON THE LIGHT & TAKE A LOOK IN THE MIRROR.

THERE BEFORE YOU, IN ALL IT'S GLORY IS THE PURE, UNADULTERATED ANSWER.

THEN TURN OFF THE LIGHT AND DECIDE IF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS TO CHANGE...OR YOU DO.

David T. Gray
Claremont, NH

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