RIGHT of left

The First Gentleman of Michigan claims that WJR, the station we all grew up with on the AM dial, leans to the right.  That is the feeling that comes from Dan Mulhern, the husband of Governor Granholm.  Most of the stink reported in today Detroit News stems from the delay of the broadcast of the governor’s schedule speech tonight.  In a scheduling conflict, due to L Brooks Patterson booking the time slot last spring.

In the article, they list all the shows on WJR; Paul W. Smith, Frank Beckman, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Dr. Laura and Mitch Albom.  So lets take a look at the local folks first, is there a lean to the right there?  Actually I see a pretty balanced outlook coming from Smith, Beckman and Albom.  I see Paul W. as Detroit’s version of Larry King, pretty much a softballer during interviews with a slight lean to the left.  Frank Beckman is definitely a conservative, and one of the few people who broadcast in the state, who feels global warming is a bunch of bunk.  Yet, he treats his celeb interviews with a courteous attitude.  I about laughed when I read that Mitch Albom was a “centralist” in the article.  He really is so far to the liberal left, and his socialistic views are pretty clear.

I will have to agree that the syndicated shows are to the right of the middle.  Rush is Rush, and he points out the differences with a rare comical humor at times.  Hannity, well what to say about Hannity.  I could do without the shouting sometimes, but he basically a Rush on steroids.  Levin, not my favorite, and at times can give the right the wrong outlook it needs to present.  He can be way out there.  Dr. Laura Schlessinger’s show I really do enjoy.  Why do you have to be labeled a “right winger” for presenting common sense parenting and social points of view.  Where there too many generations really screwed up by Dr. Spock to get the message?

So why all the conserative syndicated shows?  Because it sells, people listen, and people advertise.  There is a reason why the New York Times had to seek a bailout loan from a foreign investor, people are tired of the far left rhetoric.  Most folks don’t want a “nanny state”,  keep Big Brother out of my business.

After reading the article from Neal Rubin this morning, I really wish we had a “First Dude”, rather than a Canadian gentleman in Lansing.  Besides, if the left is screaming for a voice in Michigan, you already have the Detroit Free Press, and all the AP articles you want locally.