Look Out Bush, Stern will cost you votes!

[luvmetender]

Howard Stern used to be a Bush fan. Not anymore, and Bush should be taking this very seriously because Howard has an amazing ability to sway voters. Just ask Christie Whitman, the former NJ Governor. She was down in the polls, Howard spoke on her behalf on his radio show on a daily basis and she won. She was so appreciative, she named a turnpike reststop after him.

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[pandybat]

Well, I can't say that I would be too sad if Stern left the airwaves. Maybe if he cleaned up his act, he could save himself. But then again, he wouldn't be Howard Stern any other way.

[mayor]

I don't know anyone who listens to him. I think I probably would have if I were 14 again and had no direction in my life.

Mayor

[ShainaT]

That is interesting.

Howard Stern is on TV here at 11pm for an hour. The other night I was feeding/calming my son at that time and ended up on his channel. I was amazed at what the topic was: he had a 26 year old man on the show. This man looked like he was 13 years old. Very young looking. Anyhow, Howard found a stripper to sleep with this young looking man. She was on there talking away how she was going to "rock his world". I think her name was Ashley. She was 21 and a pretty girl. Then they had Ashley's fiance on the air too. He was perfectly fine with the situation. He said Ashley was nice enough to bring other strippers home for threesome's sometime. At the end of the show they showed Ashley and the young looking guy going into a hotel room.

I find it hard to believe that the people who normally watch his show are voters anyhow.

[blueaguave]

In the early 90s Stern pushed the GOP and right wing views hard. He ripped Cuomo and Dinkins, and sat in the front row when both Guiliani and Pataki were first inaugurated. He also held fundraisers for Sen Alfonse D'Amato (R-Long Island).

A LOT of dumb galoots blindly follow Stern, especially back East. Bush should be very fearful. And Stern is right. He's a sleaze, but why is big government interfering in the marketplace and with free speech? Even Rush defended Stern's rights

[luvmetender]

Originally Posted by mayor

I don't know anyone who listens to him. I think I probably would have if I were 14 again and had no direction in my life.

Mayor

I'm sure you and your friends don't listen. That wasn't my point though. I'm talking about those that do. Stern's main base is male listeners aged 18 to 45. Millions and millions of them. And they listen to what he says.

[Shainie]

But people who listen to Stern think that everybody listens to Stern and that he's available on everyone's airwaves. He's not. Does it say somewhere where he's available? We used to have him here, but they pulled him years ago. Not enough people were listening.

I can stomach Stern. But I don't think you can compare one small State's Governor's race to a presidential election. Plus Stern is guessing he's getting yanked off the air in a matter of weeks, not much time to get his word out.

If people vote for a president because a slime-ball shock-jock (and I mean that lovingly) tells them who to vote for instead of voting based on the president's platform, then it's a sad world. You should have to fill out a quiz about the president you're voting for before they allow you to vote. I'm sure that would weed out the numbskulls.

[luvmetender]

We'll see, Shainie.

[bwsmom]

Originally Posted by Shainie

If people vote for a president because a slime-ball shock-jock (and I mean that lovingly) tells them who to vote for instead of voting based on the president's platform, then it's a sad world. You should have to fill out a quiz about the president you're voting for before they allow you to vote. I'm sure that would weed out the numbskulls.

Unfortunately, it truly is a sad world.... people don't have the time or the interest in politics that they used to. That's why folks like the ABB crowd and the Hollywood ultra-left they have working for them can be so persuasive: put a semi-popular face on a simplistic message and watch the lemmings follow. (I think you're right about the quiz, btw, but I think too many people wouldn't even bother voting then...)

[blueaguave]

Originally Posted by bwsmom

That's why folks like the ABB crowd and the Hollywood ultra-left they have working for them can be so persuasive: put a semi-popular face on a simplistic message and watch the lemmings follow.

so was it equally bad when Stern was simplistically bashing Democrats for years and telling people to vote GOP?

[bwsmom]

Originally Posted by blueaguave

so was it equally bad when Stern was simplistically bashing Democrats for years and telling people to vote GOP?

Having never listened to Howard Stern, I really couldn't say. But, I would submit that the GOP at least offers alternatives both in personnel and policy, whereas the ABB crowd is simply about the person, never bothering to offer up any substantive alternatives in policy. Their name says it all...

[luvmetender]

you guys are putting your head in the sand if you don't think he will affect the vote...

[mayor]

The way the wind blows affects the vote in this country. Bush has much bigger problems than Howard Stern.

[luvmetender]

Originally Posted by mayor

The way the wind blows affects the vote in this country. Bush has much bigger problems than Howard Stern.

]

whatever you think, mayor..... And you are right, Bush has much bigger problems than howard~!!

[luvmetender]

Howard Stern (file)
Photo: CBS News


As the race for the White House gathers steam, there's a segment of voters suddenly drawing more attention than soccer moms or NASCAR dads: Howard Stern fans.

"[The Howard Stern vote] will have more of an effect than the Nader vote," said Matthew Felling, media director for the Center for Media and Public Affairs.

In recent weeks, the syndicated radio icon has launched an all-out assault on President George W. Bush, calling on his loyal audience of millions to vote Bush out of office in November.

Stern, who had applauded Bush for his decision to launch military action in Afghanistan and Iraq, began criticizing the president several weeks ago for the controversy surrounding his National Guard duty and his opposition to gay marriage and stem-cell research.

The jock's criticism intensified when the Federal Communications Commission placed Stern at the center of its investigation into broadcast indecency. (Coincidentally, Stern was last fined by the FCC in December 1992, when Bush's father, George Herbert Walker Bush, was in the final days of his presidency.)

The jock then became irate when late last month radio giant Clear Channel Communications dropped his show from its six stations that had carried the program, citing a self-imposed crackdown on indecent material. Stern argued that Clear Channel's move was motivated not by indecent content, but by his anti-Bush statements. Clear Channel chairman and CEO Lowry Mays and his family have made significant financial contributions to Bush's campaigns dating back to his days as governor of Texas.

Following those moves, Stern has cranked up the volume, claiming that the FCC investigation is another example of Bush "pushing the agenda of the religious right" and telling his audience, "Payback is a *****. Everyone who loves this show should vote Bush out of office."

The usual Stern parade of freaks, oddballs, and wannabe Playboy Playmates has dried up over the past four weeks as Stern devotes increasing amounts of his airtime to what he has called his "radio jihad." At his kindest Stern has called Bush a "religious nut" and a "Jesus freak," and at his worst he has likened Bush's administration to the Taliban.

"There's only one thing you can do," said Stern. "Remember me in November when you're in the voting booth. I'm asking you to do me one favor. Vote against Bush. That's it."

The radio personality has even taken the fight to his Web site, which previously contained only a solitary photo but now includes a "required reading" list of articles about the indecency crackdown and columns in support of Stern.

Some dismiss Stern's statements as whining or a ratings stunt, but he insists his motives are genuine. And while that may be debatable, his impact can't be denied. The jock's daily morning show is syndicated to more than 30 markets, and a reported 8 million listeners tune in each week (reps for Stern and his show would not confirm the size of his audience). Most of those listeners are white males, a voting segment that recent polls show is cooling on President Bush.

"For these guys, the issues haven't been framed in a way that makes sense to them," Felling said. "If he asks his listeners to go out on election day, they will go. These guys are highly suggestible. They'll strip for a 12-pack of Powerade."

There's no doubt that Stern's audience is dedicated, and the controversial jock has proven his clout in the past. Both New York Governor George Pataki and former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman got a boost in their campaigns thanks to Stern's support.

This time out, he's found supporters in Congress, including Democratic Representative Gary Ackerman of New York, who weighed in on the House floor, saying, "The issue is that he is beginning to speak out against the president and the administration, and he is paying the price because of the pressure on the media by the president and his media cronies."

So far, however, the Bush camp — at least publicly — isn't making much of Stern's attacks. The Republican National Committee would not comment when contacted by MTV News.

The Bush campaign may not be paying much mind, but Stern's loyal army of followers seem to be getting the point. Each day, another wave of listeners calls in to his live broadcast to announce that they are rethinking their position on the president.

It's the same type of voter sway that has many Democrats concerned about Ralph Nader's effect on the upcoming election. In 2000, some Democrats believe, Nader pulled enough votes from nominee Al Gore to swing the election in favor of Bush. This time around, many Kerry supporters have tried to negate the Nader effect, and Felling of the Center for Media and Public Affairs said Bush supporters might want to take a similar tack with Stern.

"They're going to have to start a 'stop the Howard vote' [initiative]," Felling said.

It remains to be seen, however, if fans will still be tuned in to Howard's message when the polls open in November. Stern has vowed to carry his fight until voters hit the polls this fall, if he can hold on to his platform until then.

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation that would increase fines for perceived indecent material to as much as $500,000 (up from $27,500) and would broaden the targets of those fines to include not only broadcasters but on-air talent as well. Stern has said he will quit his show should the bill become law.

For more political news, insight into the 2004 presidential election and information on registering to vote, check out Choose or Lose.