Paul Hackett Career Move Idea: Radio Talk Show! or TV!

I've been grieving about losing Paul Hackett from the political scene, and thinking how to make something good out of something bad.  And I read Rene's transcript of a long interview with Paul, and then I had this inspiration:  he's a natural as a progressive media star!!

I'm serious, because:

1. Paul Hackett is charismatic, has a great style and speaking voice.
   
2. I love hearing him and watching him, and I want him to be part of the American political scene.  I don't want him to disappear.
   
3. We bitch and moan about how the right controls the media, where are our voices, etc?  Hackett could have incredible influence on radio or TV, expanding progressive reach in the media.

In the past, I think the reaction would be, this is a step down from elected political office.  But not now.  Lack of media influence may be our #1 problem.  We need voices like Paul Hackett.  Frankly, I think he deserves a bigger stage than Ohio or the Senate.  Think how influential he could be!  His impact could be far greater in the media than as a freshman Senator.  I can just hear him fielding calls from around the country, the straight-talker, the no-nonsense guy from the Midwest.

And he wouldn't have to stray far from home and family.  If Ed Schultz can do a show from Fargo, ND, surely Paul Hackett can broadcast from Cincinnati.

Now, I do know that just because someone is smart and speaks well, it doesn't mean they will make a good media host.  A friend of mine in radio always points out Mario Cuomo's failure as a talk show host.  And didn't Bill Clinton do a stint on TV?  So you never know.  But I think someone in the business should work with Hackett and see how it goes.  

Maybe he could do a guest stint on the Ed Schultz Show!  Al Gore is big in media now - maybe he could give him a leg up.  

I don't see him on Air America - as much as I love the network, I'd like to see him on a more mainstream network.

Any reactions?  I guess he'd have to watch his language, or get bleeped a lot.  But we can work that out.  

•  WLW

  (a very strong station owned by Clear Channel) should give him a show.  He would reach just the audience we need to have hear him and, on clear nights, reach as far as Florida.  That would be quite a jolt to their line-up, though.

  by TracieLynn on Wed Feb 15, 2006 at 07:50:26 PM PDT

  •  Sorry

    Forgot to mention that WLW is in Cincinnati and covers probably most of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and maybe much of Pennsylvania.  (Further apologize if I'm telling you something you already know.)

    by TracieLynn on Wed Feb 15, 2006 at 07:52:02 PM PDT

•  You have his future all mapped out for him

  Are you a career counselor or occupational therapist? One of my sons is drifting and needs guidance on what career is best for him. I was hoping Mr. Hackett would never want to see a camera or microphone again. Fame can be so destructive, especially for the family. Wouldn't you like to see his wife and children happy? After all, it's not like he spent much time with them when he was away serving his country in battle.

  by tazz on Wed Feb 15, 2006 at 07:55:14 PM PDT

  •  As I said, he can stay close to home!

    Yes, I am a control freak - ask my daughter who just graduated from college.  And I know Hackett needs to relax, regroup, maybe clean out his garage like Howard Dean did when he dropped out of the Pres. race.  But Hackett is destined for great things, just like Dean.  And he was let down (or let's just say it - betrayed) by a party he loves.  He won't be able to quit the scene, I bet anything.

    by norabb on Wed Feb 15, 2006 at 08:04:40 PM PDT

    •  When my father died

      the same day Sammy Davis Jr. died, I remember I told my family that Pop was the better man. He stayed with my mother for over 45 years, never cheated on her, never spent a day without her. He could have had fame, fortune and what you would consider greatness. Instead, his greatness exceeded that of Sammy Davis Jr. because family came first. And I grew up digging Sammy Davis Jr. Greatness is best measured by your family, not strangers. Mr. Hackett does not need to be in the public eye to prove his greatness. All he has to do is provide and protect his family and greatness will come to him. Maybe as a veteran of an earlier era, I am biased, but he earned the right to privacy and to determine his own destiny.

      by tazz on Wed Feb 15, 2006 at 08:20:53 PM PDT

•  How about Hackett Country?

  He is a great speaker, and extremely inteligent and persuasive... But he seems a man of action, not likely to be content sitting in front of a microphone for 4/5 hrs. per day. He should start a foundation to help the forgotten vets, once they come back and become disabled, and forgotten by their government.

  by GUGA on Wed Feb 15, 2006 at 07:59:33 PM PDT

  •  Hackett will live in the blogosphere forever

    Ha Ha DNC and ODP! Marines never die. Push him out of the party as much as you want, but know that you are pushing out the netroots and grassroots. Marines never die, and neither do Kossacks!

    by EddieKrane on Wed Feb 15, 2006 at 08:21:42 PM PDT

•  It's a Long Way From Voice

  to good host. That's a rarer talent than just speaking. Not saying he couldn't do it, but unless there's some significant support system for him to have on-the-job learning for a year or few, there are many ways to fail at it.

  by Gooserock on Wed Feb 15, 2006 at 08:45:18 PM PDT

•  Would love to see him on TV..

  Would love to see him on TV..People dont listen much to rush radio anymore..You cant receive progessive radio in most areas but you can hear hateful rush..TV gets a wider audience.

  by bayside on Thu Feb 16, 2006 at 04:22:51 AM PDT