So, I've been doing a lot of thinking. After reading the article linked off TPM about Vermont & Air America, as well as numerous diaries on this site regarding liberal radio, I think we, this fun lil' netroots community, should work together to bring Air America to the nation. I know not everyone here is a fan, but let's be serious for a moment. Love it or not, if we can get our opinions on the airwaves anywhere in the country, it is a good thing. It will, in my opinion, make it much easier for candidates to go into places they don't always win and speak honestly to the people. They may be more open and receptive if they have been hearing our views and perspective year-round, rather than just a few months every four years. This is by no means a solution, but perhaps a piece of the puzzle. I present "The Alabama Example".
Here I have compiled a county by county breakdown of Alabama's Presidential Vote in 2004.
I have classified some of Alabama's 67 counties as such:
"Deep Blue Counties" = Kerry nets 56% and Up
"Blue Counties" = Kerry received between 46% and 55%
"Potential Blue" Counties = Counties where Kerry received at between 30% and 45% (I can hope)
Counties where Kerry received less than 30 have been omitted for the moment.
Here it is:
Alabama (67 counties)
Deep Blue (9 counties)
Macon (83%)
Grenne (80%)
Sumpter (71%)
Lowndes (70%)
Bullock (68%)
Perry (68%)
Wicox (64%)
Dallas (60%)
Hale (58%)
Blueing (4 counties)
Montgomery (51%)
Rusell (50%)
Marngo (49%)
Chotcaw (46%)
Potential Blue (29 coutnies)
Barbour (45%)
Conecuh (45%)
Colbert (44%)
Pickens (43%)
Butler (41%)
Clarke (41%)
Chambers (41%)
Mobile (41%)
Lauderdale (40%)
Madison (40%)
Monroe (39%)
Talledega (38%)
Tuscaloosa (38%)
Washington (38%)
Franklin (37%)
Pike (37%)
Lee (36%)
Etowah (36%)
Cherokee (34%)
Henry (34%)
Calhoun (33%)
Walker (32%)
Crenshaw (31%)
Escambia (31%)
Limestone (31%)
Tallapoosea (31%)
Fayette (30%)
Marion (30%)
Morgan (30%)
Clearly there is a lot of work to do before Dems can win Alabama. But the Talk radio lineup cleary is not helping our cause. From what I could gather, it is as follows
Alabama Talk Radio Stations
Location Station ID Programming Local Counties
Auburn WANI 1400AM Conservative Lee, Chambers, Tallapoosa, Macon, Russell
Birmingham WAPI 1070AM Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker,
Birmingham WERC 960AM Conservative Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Walker,
Florence WBCF 1240AM Lauderdale, Culbert, Lawerence, Limestone
Gadsden WAAX 570AM Conservative Cherokee, Calhoun
Guntersville WGSV 1270AM Conservative n/a
Hunstville WHOH 1450AM Madison, Jackson
Huntsville WVNN 770AM Conservative Madison, Jackson
Mobile WNTM 710AM Conservative Mobile
Tuscaloosa WTBC 1230AM Conservative Greene, Hale, Tuscaloosa
OKAY. That was a great deal of information and numbers, but my point is this. We shouldn't just push liberal radio in liberal places. I know Air America is doing that so it will do well and be able to show it off in trying to grow, but I honestly think we can do more to help from a grassroots level. I do not believe for a second it will be easy, but it shouldn't be. However, I think we can do it.
Let me know if you agree and what we should do next. I don't mind compiling all these lists and radio station contact info as well, but let me know if y'all think we should do it or if I am insane or both.
