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Nonsuch · Mar 12, 2004, 12:32 AM

The pinko liberal Commie web press have been making quite a big deal lately over Howard Stern's recent conversion to Bush-bashing neo-progressive. (Sorry, you need to look at an ad if you want to read the article in that link; here's a free story on the same topic.)

Basically Howard went on vacation, read Al Franken's book, and is now railing against the Bush administration on the air where before he had been a strong supporter. He's gone whole-hog, apparently, with epithets like "Jesus freak" and "arrogant bastard" being brought into play. Shortly after this conversion, Clear Channel, which carries Stern's show in a few markets (another syndicate carries the bulk of his listenership) dropped him for supposed "obscenity." (Now Stern rants not only about Bush but also about Clear Channel, whose leadership are established supporters of the Bush administration and the GOP.)

I was dubious that anything significant would come of this, but maybe I'm being hasty. The Salon piece contains these quotes:

"He's got one of the biggest audiences in all of radio, and perhaps the most loyal," says Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers magazine, the nonpartisan monthly that covers radio's news/talk industry. "And that's why he's so dangerous for the White House. [...] Our research shows many, many people in the 30- to 40-year-old range who were Bush supporters are rethinking that position and turning away from Bush because of what Howard Stern has been saying," says Harrison.

Can that be true? Can Howard Stern significantly damage Bush in the upcoming months?

Krusty · 01:01 AM

I don't know if Stern can "significantly damage Bush in the coming months" but, as a person who listens to Stern on and off, I can tell you his anti-Bush sentiment ain't no new thing. He's never been a big fan of GW for as long as I can remember. Where did you ever hear that Stern ever was pro-Bush ??

ghost_flash · Mar 12, 2004, 01:06 AM

Nope.

Spliffdaddy · Mar 12, 2004, 01:29 AM

ditto

Nonsuch · Mar 12, 2004, 08:59 AM

Originally posted by Krusty:
I don't know if Stern can "significantly damage Bush in the coming months" but, as a person who listens to Stern on and off, I can tell you his anti-Bush sentiment ain't no new thing. He's never been a big fan of GW for as long as I can remember. Where did you ever hear that Stern ever was pro-Bush ??

Perhaps I was imprecise�I was given to understand he was pro-(Iraq) war, and that whatever he may have thought of the Bush admin, he wasn't actively rooting for its demise.

zachs · Mar 13, 2004, 12:12 AM

He'll probably sway some of his loyal viewers/listeners. But not all, or even many.

LeftHandedMiddleChild · Mar 17, 2004, 04:45 PM

Originally posted by Krusty:
I don't know if Stern can "significantly damage Bush in the coming months" but, as a person who listens to Stern on and off, I can tell you his anti-Bush sentiment ain't no new thing. He's never been a big fan of GW for as long as I can remember. Where did you ever hear that Stern ever was pro-Bush ??

Stern wasn't Anti Bush until recently. He has said in the past that he doesn't like Bush - but supported him because he was President. Stern is now Anti Bush and anti religious right because of their unconstitutional ways

ghost_flash · Mar 17, 2004, 04:50 PM

Originally posted by LeftHandedMiddleChild:
Stern wasn't Anti Bush until recently. He has said in the past that he doesn't like Bush - but supported him because he was President. Stern is now Anti Bush and anti religious right because of their unconstitutional ways

You mean Howard Stern is taking a stance for something besides midgets, porn stars, tits, and overall garbage? BS. That leopard won't change his spots. The only reason he is anything is because of the lowest common denominator which he exploits. Now, he is in trouble and has found his *cause*. I don't buy it.

Did he say this? Or are your reading into him your own beliefs?

Unconstitutional ways? What exactly would that be?