Al Franken and Chris Gabrielli

Air America has played a crucial role in creating what can be described as a progressive media system that includes the web, blogs, radio, print, and a modicum of film–without the “West Wing” it’s hard to include television.  I have argued in the past that AirAmerica was really the missing piece that created a progressive SYSTEM–and thus, played a keystone, or lynch-pin role. 

I have heard several casual commentators toss off Air-America as just a “left wing version of right wing talk radio”.  That assessment is itself a right wing talking point whose obvious function is to marginalize both the content and FUNCTION that Air-America performs.  At it’s heart, Air-America is committed to deconstructing the spin and lies of both right wing media AND mainstream media and REPLACE IT WITH FACTS.  That the purpose of doing this is to win the day for progressive politics still does not make it the equivalent of right wing media. 

Air America, from the beginning, was long on talent, woefully short on management and funding.  Their first model of station ownership was a DISASTER from which they barely recovered.  And the people running it never did figure out a good plan to attract advertisers.  It’s always a sign that you are desperate for ad revenues when the “anti-baldness” ads start appearing. 

Air America continues to suffer from bad management and a terrible cash crisis.  What they need is a business savvy Angel Investor who knows how to come up with a solid business plan that includes how to get advertisers on board.  They need someone who knows how to let talent be talent and not feel the need to “manage” successful talent right off the air. 

Air America needs more than a George Soros, they need Chris Gabrielli. 

Just how important is Air America to the media landscape?  Well, let’s put it this way. By no means is Air America solely responsible for the difference between 04 and 06, but neither are they irrelevant to that difference.  Air America was fledgling in 04, but by 06 they were in over 60 media markets and were firing on all cylinders as an important PART of a progressive media SYSTEM.  A system that, far more than mainstream media, is willing to CONFRONT and DECONSTRUCT the Republican talking points, AND OFFER ALTERNATIVES. 

Losing Air America will be a definite step backward in growing a progressive media system. Frankly, I can’t think of a more important political role for Chris Gabrielli–who is one of the few people in this country who can bring both the money and the brains to make it work: the penchant for strategic planning, the ability to analyze different business models for viability, negotiating deals, etc. 

Too bad Chris doesn’t take my phone calls.

Please share widely!

0

0