Air America, the liberal radio network that launched to great fanfare and media accolades has gone bankrupt, foundered in the ratings and done nothing for its "celebrity" hosts. That hasn't stopped the network from being aborted though:
Air America is scheduling a high-profile lineup of presidential candidates, political players and celebrities for next week as part of the liberal talk network's "relaunch" after suffering financial woes.
Democratic candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards, along with luminaries like Robert Redford, Paul Newman and Gloria Steinem, are among the more than 30 guests scheduled, the network announced Thursday.
New shows are also being added to the schedule, featuring famous correspondents and hosts, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Arianna Huffington and Bob Kerrey. The network also redesigned its Web site, where hosts will regularly blog along with a newly-hired blogger, Nancy Scola.
Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the subject of persistent presidential speculation despite his denials of any interest, was to tape his interview Thursday, facing questions from a former political foe, Mark Green.



















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Maybe its just me but you usi
May 20, 2007 - 16:53 ET by seth_kegleyMaybe its just me but you using the word aborted in reference to Air America is quite fitting...
Check out my blog at: http://preacherskid.blogdrive.com/
Matthew,This ought to be inte
May 20, 2007 - 16:55 ET by BlondeMatthew,
This ought to be interesting....chasing the link in your link about running the new Air America "as a business":
"We can't be influential if we're not profitable," says the onetime New York City public advocate and frequent Air America guest host, who has lost races for U.S. senator, mayor and, most recently, attorney general.
Referring to his elder brother's deep pockets and how much money he is willing to invest, Mr. Green says, "Steve will not be to Air America what [News Corp Chairman] Rupert Murdoch still is to the New York Post."
The newly constituted Green Family Media can't do much worse than prior owners Progress Media and Piquant, which lost a total of $42 million and were both plagued by fallout from a scandal involving an improper loan from a charity.
Stephen Green, chairman of SL Green Realty Corp. and of Air America, bought it out of bankruptcy for a mere $4.25 million from his pocket; minority partners contributed another $3 million.
It will be interesting to see how long this one lasts before we hear great flushing sounds. Care to start a pool?
Somehow I doubt that really
May 21, 2007 - 05:17 ET by motherbeltSomehow I doubt that really matters to them in the long run. Air America relied on donations to get launched in the first place, and then to keep it going. And when they can't attract advertisers to keep it going, they will go around with hands out again. They don't care about being profitable; they want to get "their message" out.
On the bright side, if Air America resumes, how will the Left justify a "need" for the "Fairness Doctrine"?
I saw this once at Despair.
May 20, 2007 - 16:56 ET by Tom1969caI saw this once at Despair.com:
~~~
"The current tax code is harder to understand than Bob Dylan reading Finnegan's Wake in a wind tunnel."-- Dennis Miller
I posted about this somewhere
May 20, 2007 - 17:03 ET by bigtimerI posted about this somewhere last week I think it was.
As if this is going to help DeadAirAmerika...the money to keep it on the air is just for free air-time for the '08 leftists to get their message out before the election.
We will see what happens after '08.
Deja vu
May 20, 2007 - 22:35 ET by nkviking75BT, I missed your post on the subject, but you responded to mine on May 17th in the Open Thread. I got it from the radio website allaccess.com (registration required).
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Well their hopes are high..
May 20, 2007 - 17:16 ET by mlongWell their hopes are high..they think with the Dems in control of Congress and the prospect of a Dem in the White House in '08 the Fairness doctrine is a sure thing and once Conservative talk radio is gone they'll be the only game in town...because we all know the FD will not be applied to Err Amerika the same way as it will be to Rush,Beck,Boortz,O'Reilly,Hannity and the rest.
The owners of the local Penny
May 20, 2007 - 17:21 ET by PeskyDaneThe owners of the local PennySaver in my part of rural PA laughs at the AirAmerika management. Seriously, they still don't get it. Even when you give something away for free, people are still spending their time to absorb your product, and that product has to have a certain level of quality. AirAmerika has been producing dog poop and can't fathom why people don't want to swallow it.
Can't hardly wait/ sarc off
May 20, 2007 - 17:33 ET by terrigCan't hardly wait/ sarc off
So they're bringing back to l
May 20, 2007 - 18:07 ET by rbosqueSo they're bringing back to life a monster eh? Methinks it should remain in the grave with a "do not disturb" sign over the tomb.
Do they need a mascot?Supreme
May 20, 2007 - 18:11 ET byDo they need a mascot?
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
Ah! Marty Feldman. I miss him
May 20, 2007 - 18:36 ET by rbosqueAh! Marty Feldman. I miss him. He was a funny one.
What Hump? Your post made
May 20, 2007 - 18:40 ET byWhat Hump? Your post made me think of bringing life to the dead so i was going for the monster but when i saw Marty i couldn't resist
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
Ooooh! I cannot WAIT to find
May 20, 2007 - 19:00 ET by Roger the ShrubberOoooh! I cannot WAIT to find out which low-wattage AM station in my area will be carrying it! At least during the day, before their signal gets turned down.
AA business tip
May 20, 2007 - 19:46 ET by Clear thinkerAs a semi-retired businessman I have a suggestion for AA. If they really want to be a complete success in all ways imaginable I strongly urge them to relocate to a country that hates the USA. They would be an instant hit and become the faux leaders they so desperately want.
Help a wounded soldier here...
http://newsbusters.org/node/12877
I just hope they stay on long
May 20, 2007 - 20:04 ET by ArchConservativeI just hope they stay on long enough to stave off the (un)Fairness Doctrine crap going on now.
"Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists."
- President George W Bush September 2001 speech to a joint session of Congress.
Curious, I wonder if they w
May 20, 2007 - 20:05 ET by kevcadCurious, I wonder if they will they be endorsing and/or featuring Stuart Smalley? And why in hell is Michael Bloomberg still associating himself with the G.O.P.?
Air America is bringing on th
May 20, 2007 - 20:09 ET by ThisnThatAir America is bringing on the celebrities, eh? They still don't get it, do they? Rather than win on their ideas, they have to bring in so-called heavyweights to voice their opinion. And these people all have only one theme -- America is the worst, we are to blame for all the world's ills, Bush is an idiot, and Kerry served in Vietnam. They're lining up 30 of these fools -- wow, where do I get my advanced tickets for this one?
Einstein said it best when
May 20, 2007 - 20:39 ET by ckc1227Einstein said it best when he said one sign of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, hoping for a different result.
If it's going to be celebriti
May 20, 2007 - 20:21 ET by GregEIf it's going to be celebrities doing the heavy lifting, will the listner demographic change to mostly people who are more interested in People magazine or Entertainment Tonight than in discussions of regarding issues in America? Of course the Democrat presidential candidates will be there, but if my talk radio consisted of only Republican presidential candidates and celebrities (even if all were conservative), they'd have my ear for about 3-4 interviews and I'd be done with it too. I question how much of it people can actually stand before looking elsewhere for their talk radio, albeit still liberal if that's the ideology of the majority of listeners, but they'll tire of it quickly I would think.
If it doesn't work out, there's always the Democrat-controlled Senate and House which can wave the Communist wand and force it to remain on air by way of the Fairness Doctoring, I mean Fairy Doctrine, oh geez, I mean Fairness Doctrine..
I wonder how the heck the Fairytale Doctoring can even work if sponsors won't buy any advertising because a show stinks. Do we taxpayers begin paying the bills for those who can't survive on their own? Good grief, 1000 versions of NPR!
They just don't get it, do they?
May 20, 2007 - 21:11 ET by goldenthroatThis is so laughable. These poor, pathetic creatures on the left just don't get it, do they? What makes them think it will succeed this time? Of course, this speaks volumes as to how libs will find new and creative ways to spend money.
Just like the "new" congress with the Demoncrats in control, it's going to tank.
Reminds me of what "The Who" used to sing: "Meet your new boss...same as the old boss."
Never dance on an empty stomach unless it's a liberal.
GTActually it is a campain do
May 20, 2007 - 21:16 ET byGT
Actually it is a campain donation that does not have to be reported as such. Also it will no doubt be used as a deduction as a business loss. That way with a double benefit it is leveraging a donation.
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
My guess is the Libs only w
May 20, 2007 - 21:23 ET by Free StinkerMy guess is the Libs only want to keep this going until election day 2008.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"George W. Bush simply reminds leftists everyday what they will never be. And they hate him for it." --Tammy Bruce
What makes them think anyone'
May 20, 2007 - 22:09 ET by EdfromvaWhat makes them think anyone's going to listen to their drivel the second time around? :)
Oh, come on! How pessimist
May 21, 2007 - 00:05 ET by MilesDOh, come on! How pessimistic! With such luminaries as
Robert F. Kennedy
Jr
Arianna Huffington
and Bob Kerrey
how can this thing lose?
Taste tests show, that America prefers this New Coke, 2-1, over the other brand
How long can anyone sit and l
May 21, 2007 - 07:42 ET by Gat New YorkHow long can anyone sit and listen RFK Jr.who has problems putting two sentences together without losing his train of thought? How long can anyone listen to the manipulative Huffington and her shrill voice? Or Bob Kerrey? These are not the kind of people that make you sit at the edge of your seat or are even midly entertaining. New Coke still has a better shot.
Leave it to the Associated (w
May 20, 2007 - 22:19 ET by TELeave it to the Associated (with terrorists) Press to write a convenient press release for Air (anti) America and completely fail to mention that Air (anti) America filed for bankruptcy.
Air America - I smell Soros
May 21, 2007 - 07:54 ET by Cool ArrowGiven there is no real interest in The FIB (Foolishness In Broadcasting) Network, one must wonder where funding for this drivel wil come from.
Isaiah 32:5-8
5. The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful. For the vile person will speak villainy, and his heart will work iniquity, to practice hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD
Probably from liberal fat-c
May 21, 2007 - 08:03 ET by motherbeltProbably from liberal fat-cat donations, just like the first time....
Yeah right! Everytime a li
May 21, 2007 - 08:13 ET by The Wicked ConservativeYeah right! Everytime a liberal program can't stand on its own, it's the government's problem. A new future tax suck, I predict.
Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish. Talk sense to a
liberal and he calls you a racist, sexist, biggot, homophobe, denier.
Wicked, on the mark
May 21, 2007 - 08:17 ET by Cool ArrowBut how will they pit PBS against AA ( didn't that used to be a rehab organization? ) for government dollars?
Isaiah 32:5-8
5. The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful. For the vile person will speak villainy, and his heart will work iniquity, to practice hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD
Two words...Fairness Doctri
May 21, 2007 - 08:25 ET by The Wicked ConservativeTwo words...Fairness Doctrine. As far as libs are concerned, this would be the first "progressive" radio station...ever. They need it to combat the conservative juggernaut of talk radio.
Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish. Talk sense to a
liberal and he calls you a racist, sexist, biggot, homophobe, denier.
Fairness Doctrine
May 21, 2007 - 08:35 ET by Cool ArrowYou really think Liberals want to actually listen to their lies on the radio?
We'll be right back after these beautiful words from Rod Mckuen.
Isaiah 32:5-8
5. The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful. For the vile person will speak villainy, and his heart will work iniquity, to practice hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD
I hope they are documenting this.
May 21, 2007 - 08:34 ET by c5thenIt might make a good "documentary". "Failure to re-Launch"
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic
Name Change
May 21, 2007 - 10:29 ET by PawpawNIsn't it wonderful that their name is AIR AMERICA when they want to take the air out of America! Aren't the other programs called Conservative Talk Radio. Why aren't they called Liberal Talk Radio? Guess because Libs/Dims[no I know how to really spell it!] never want to be connected to failure, case in point, THE PEANUTS MAN this weekend!!