One of the important things that the Obama campaign - and the Democratic party under Dr. Dean - are doing is taking the fight to Republicans on "their" territory, geographically. This is showing itself to be an effective strategy.
There are "red strongholds" which are not identified by state borders and past election results. Talk radio is one of those strongholds. Both in national syndications,and in local independent shows, there has been a conservative hegemony in recent decades. And because of the way this election is shaping up, we shouldn't grant the wingnuts those strongholds.
Progressives should add talk radio to their targets for insurgency! Now, this can be - like stable hands, proctology, and sewer work (h/t Ed Norton) - unpleasant but very necessary work. A few more thoughts below the fold.
I think progressives should make a concerted effort on talk radio.
It is the cheapest way to get our ideas out into the local media.
If enough people, concerned about the same issue, make it onto local talk shows, this can push those ideas through the talk show over into the news side, especially if you live in a location which will be receiving visits from the candidates.
If you can be a bit engaging with the host, talking a bit about yourself will put a human face on your ideas. "Yeah, Ron! I'm on lunch break down at the docks, here, buddy, love yer show. I'm sick of getting shafted by swells like the McCains at tax time....".
Be aware of their call back policy - don't become a running gag - "old Auntie Betty, who calls us every other day".
Consider when you are in proximity to both a radio and a phone. Check out which shows are on when, and set yourself up with a little schedule for your "fact attack".
Program the numbers for local talk shows into your phone - home or office or cell. Program in the C_SPAN number for Democrats or Independents, whichever applies.
Settle into your commute with your hands-free earbud or Bluetooth. Call the show's number and hang up, to get the number at the top of your "send" list, then listen and get ready to keep hitting "send" until you get on.
You can also get a hands-free setup for your cordless phone at home, and do likewise as you do the house chores with the phone on your belt.
Listen to the shows' commercials or check their website, to see what the topics/guests will be that day. Get some appropriate Obama facts or McCain attacks ready that relate to the topic, and start punching "redial". Even non-political shows can have their political moments, so we can even do this with sports shows, health shows, whatever. You needn't have a dissertation memorized - even a passing comment which is indicative of support for our side helps to put it out there.
Outdoors show? Call in and tell 'em "I love deer hunting, but buddy, shooting wolves from an airplane ain't hunting, it's only killin'."
Sports show? "Next year's (Cubs, Bears, Sox) are the best thing outta Chicago since Barack Obama!"
Cooking show? Here's how I make oatmeal cookies - and this is a real family treasure recipe - I didn't swipe this from a website like Cindy McCain!"
Local politics hour? Talk about "community organizers and why they're important - no matter what Caribou Barbie Palin says".
Car Talk on NPR? "Hey, how the heck can I get the last owner's "W" stickers off of my bumper?"
Current events roundtable? Call in and challenge the media's shortcomings and negligence of important stories.
We need to get a running presence of progressive ideas into our media. Even if your state is solidly for Obama, your talk radio shows may cover areas which are in play. If we dedicate a liitle time, regularly, to doing this, we can help defeat the GOP's Mighty Bullshit Wurlitzer.
Have you been a presence on Talk radio? Tell us a bit about it. What did you talk about? How did the other callers react? Do you see a shift in opinion on your talk shows?
Taking back the airwaves ain't just for K.O. and Rachel! We are the ones we've been waiting for!