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February 16, 2007 at 10:45:52

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Who is Thom Hartmann?

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By LTR aka B.D. Rafferty (about the author)     Page 2 of 2 page(s)

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Hartmann's philosophy for succeeding in talk radio is simple. "If you're good, people will tune in for you, the same as they did for Rush (Limbaugh) back when he was all there was. Just produce a killer show and you'll succeed," he wrote.

Adds Michael Harrison, editor of Talkers Magazine, an industry trade journal, "My opinion is that Thom Hartmann is a far superior host, one of the leading liberal thinkers in American today. He's not a comedian, not ambitious where he wants to become a senator, he's not an egotist -" he's a very earnest guy who tries to present intelligent material that makes a case for the progressive point of view."

Unlike Franken, Hartmann's in radio for the long haul. "I love talk radio. I don't want to be on TV. I don't want to run for public office. I don't want to be a movie star. I write books and I do talk radio and that's enough for me," he said in an interview.

As for the future of liberal talk, Hartmann sounds optimistic. ""There is at least as much demand for liberal talk radio as there is for conservative talk, maybe even more," he said. "For years, program directors just bought the story that was told to them, that all the liberals were listening to NPR. We have busted open a mythology. There are a lot of stations carrying this format and doing well with it."


Is he concerned about recent reports about advertisers shunning the format? Hartmann says no. On last year's leaked ABC Radio Network's 'blackout' memo, which listed roughly a hundred companies that did not want their commercials airing on affiliated stations during Air America programming, he countered, "There's a similar list for Rush Limbaugh - companies that don't want to get tied up in politics. The fact of the matter is my advertisers, from Purina to Sacred Grounds Coffee to the Organic Wine Company get great results, which is why I refer to my program as listener supported radio. It's supported by my listeners supporting my sponsors.

Hartmann's show is currently airing on Air America's secondary syndication feed, and will officially be a part of the main lineup starting Monday, February 19th. His show has been picked up by affiliates in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, Miami and other places. Many affiliates are airing his show currently.

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Originally published on LTR (Liberal Talk Radio)

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ltradio.blogspot.com

LTR, aka B.D. Rafferty, writes about alternative media, with an emphasis on liberal talk radio, at ltradio.blogspot.com. A radio veteran, he started writing his blog in October 2004, as an "aggregator of (more...)
 

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male,over 40 and can be trusted! by Matt Kovach on Friday, Feb 16, 2007 at 12:18:57 PM
We love Tom here in Portland by Charlie L on Friday, Feb 16, 2007 at 2:16:50 PM
crackpot by Mike Bendzela on Friday, Feb 16, 2007 at 2:53:04 PM
correction by Mike Bendzela on Friday, Feb 16, 2007 at 2:54:18 PM
One Hundredth Monkey is weird?? by Vidya on Friday, Feb 16, 2007 at 6:08:34 PM
you're full of it by Mike Bendzela on Saturday, Feb 17, 2007 at 6:19:46 AM
hell is paved with good intentions by Matt Kovach on Saturday, Feb 17, 2007 at 7:48:31 AM
Thom by Amy Fried on Friday, Feb 16, 2007 at 2:54:50 PM
Welcome to the big show... by Gustav Wynn on Friday, Feb 16, 2007 at 3:36:30 PM
Oh boy a fan club.... by ardee D. on Friday, Feb 16, 2007 at 7:26:56 PM
Thom Hartmann will be Rush Limbaugh's Waterloo by John Perry on Saturday, Feb 17, 2007 at 9:50:56 AM
Thom is a blessing! by Kate Anne on Saturday, Feb 17, 2007 at 4:13:00 PM

 
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