More info on Ed Schulz----Gov. Stabenow involved./Dorgan comments.....

http://www.bismarcktribune.com/articles/2003/10/28/news/state/sta01.txt

Schultz planning national talk show
By DAVE KOLPACK, Associated Press Writer

(snip)

Democratic lawmakers in Washington are raising money for the show, and Democrats have pledged about $1.8 million over two years to get it off the ground, Schultz said Monday. He said a half-dozen stations are looking at whether to carry it.

"The Democrats are getting the tar beat out of them constantly by Limbaugh and Hannity, and they feel they don't have a platform," Schultz said. "There's this conservative mantra that's being jammed down the throats of the American people, and the other side of the story is not being told."

(snip)

Jason Stverak, director of the North Dakota Republican Party, said he will be waiting to see how many radio stations will broadcast Schultz's show.

"Ed is very good at whipping up people's passions about issues and getting them involved," Stverak said. "That is always something you have to be cognizant of."

Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said Schultz impressed Senate Democrats at a meeting in Washington about a year ago, after Democracy Radio officials approached Schultz about the job. Democracy Radio was founded by Tom Athens, the husband of Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.

(snip)

Michael Harrison, editor and publisher of Talkers Magazine, said Schultz's show can work because he is entertaining, not because there's a void of liberal politics on the air.

"There are other liberals on the radio, but you need a host who's funny, engaging, talented and charismatic," Harrison said. "Ed Schultz is known around the country, even though he's basically in a small market, one that's off the beaten path. That says a lot for the guy."

Schultz said ownership of the new talk show will be divided among himself, Democracy Radio, Jones Radio and Media Syndication Services, a radio production company.

Oh, yeah. Us Nodaks are gonna have a bully pulpit!

He is extremely knowledgeable, affable, and quick-witted. He said that that he is currently based in North Dakota, that his broadcasts reach most of the conservative strongholds of the Midwestern states, and that he has had impressive ratings in the last two years. He may be the beginning of our side's answer to the wingnuts that currently dominate radio talk shows.