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November 6, 2006

New York Daily News

Maddow likes idea radio has influence

by David Hinckley, Staff Writer

Rachel Maddow, evening host on the progressive radio network Air America, has a theory why some political figures who share the network's perspective don't to come on as guests.

"They're afraid if the Democrats come into power we'll be a force that pushes them to the left," says Maddow, "the way conservative talk radio has helped push Republicans to the right."

She adds that their concern is correct - particularly since progressives like Maddow see a number of Democrats adopting conservative ideas in this campaign.

But what she really likes is the notion talk radio hosts have influence.

"I like it when President Bush sits down with Rush Limbaugh for an in-depth interview," she says. "I like the idea a Don Rumsfeld would be out there one-on-one with a talk radio host.

"Sure, Republicans see it as a campaign tool. But I'm not angry about that. I'm jealous. I wish they'd take my calls."

That's not likely in this administration, which Maddow often calls "a disaster" on her 6-8 p.m. daily show over Air America, heard locally on WWRL (1600 AM).

She'll likely say so again tomorrow when she and David Bender anchor Air America election coverage, 6 p.m.-1 a.m.

The 33-year-old Maddow, a former Rhodes Scholar, is also known for her frequent appearances on CNN, where she used to be a regular with Tucker Carlson, and other cable talk shows.

Television shows are different from radio, she says, but since she loves arguing with adversaries, she finds the dance enjoyable and even useful.

"It's frustrating sometimes that everything on TV is a soundbite," she says. "You can't explain Iran in 15 seconds. But it does force you to get right to your point, and that's good training for radio. I don't watch TV, but I like being on it."

She also likes being on Air America, though like everyone else there she isn't sure where the road will lead. The company filed for bankruptcy last month, and while it vowed to carry on after reorganization, that means working out a so-far elusive plan for long-term funding.

"I don't know what will happen," says Maddow. "I'm sure elements of Air America, and all the hosts that are worth their salt, will continue to be heard. But I like having a network, which Air America created, instead of individual hosts. When you're one show, you can end up between Rush and Sean [Hannity]. Then you wonder why all your callers hate you."

Like other Air America hosts, Maddow says she hears "constantly" from listeners who tell her that "before Air America, they felt like they were alone.

"Letting them know they're not is probably the most gratifying part of the job."

She does think Air America is part of a loose embryonic coalition of progressive voices that includes bloggers and Internet-based groups. But she cautions against overstating its influencet [sic].

"Is there some great left-wing conspiracy?" she asks, with a laugh. "Unfortunately, no. I wish there were. The right has thought long-term for 30 years years, and conservative talk radio is part of that. Compared to them, we're a startup.

She's equally cautious about predicting the outcome of tomorrow's election.

"David's known as the Pollyana and I'm the little dark cloud," she says. "He sees the possibilities. I see the risks."

What she does know, she says, is that if Democrats recapture any power, she will hold their feet to the fire, too.

"I'm more interested in policies than parties," she says, tacitly rejecting the frequent charge that Air America is a Democratic mouthpiece while also echoing an assertion of many conservative hosts.

She also agrees with those conservative counterparts on one other point.

The two years leading up to the election of 2008, she says, "will be great" for talk radio, including progressive hosts.

"We've proven there's a market for what we do," she says. "I'd rather be a progressive host looking for work than a conservative host. How many Rush and Sean wanna-bes can the market handle?"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Imhotep Gary Byrd of WBLS (107.5 FM) yesterday paid a birthday tribute to Hal Jackson, the pioneering radio host who turned 91 Friday.

Jackson is still on the air at WBLS, some 70 years after he started his radio career by bashing down the walls that kept black folks out.

"It's no exaggeration," Byrd said yesterday, "to say that without him, neither I nor most of the people I work with would be sitting here today."

Jackson, a long-time community activist, has also done stretches on WNJR, WMCA, WABC and WLIB.

AROUND THE DIAL: WFAN morning man Imus talks with Presidential press secretary Tony Snow tomorrow. Snow was a talk radio guy, of course, before he took his current gig.... Ray Bertolino talks with Barry Farber today at 12:30 p.m. on WHPC (90.3 FM).... WFUV (90.7) spotlights singer Lucinda Williams and her new CD tomorrow.

Originally published on November 6, 2006

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