Jan 05, 2004 - 23:07:47 CST
FARGO -- Ed Schultz is unfazed when his nose begins dripping blood a few minutes before the Monday debut of his national radio talk show. He called it the "perfect prop" to open the program."I'm so mean, there's blood on my sheets of paper," a smiling Schultz tells his listeners, kicking off a project that members of the Democratic Party and other supporters have billed as an alternative to conservative talk radio.
In the opening monologue, Schultz, who is an avid hunter and fisherman, told listeners: "I'm a gun-totin', red meat-eatin' liberal."
"I don't have to apologize to anybody for being here," he says. "I mean, there's no magic to this stuff. (Rush) Limbaugh has proven you don't need a Ph.D. to do this. Come on. It's radio. It's people, it's places, it's happenings, it's events."
After the opening segment, the executive director of the show, Paul Woodhull, took a swing with an imaginary baseball bat and said: "Home run."
"I expect a grand slam every day," Woodhull said during a break. "It's not about the politics, it's about the passion. He's a competitor with a passion for winning."
Woodhull is president of Media Syndication Services of Washington, D.C., a distributor of radio programs.
Schultz, 49, was recruited by Democrats after spending a dozen years as host of "News and Views," a talk show on Fargo's KFGO Radio. A new studio has been built in the Fargo building that houses KFGO and other Fargo stations owned by Clear Channel Communications Inc. of San Antonio.
Schultz is continuing his KFGO show in its usual morning slot, 9 to 11:30 a.m. KFGO is not broadcasting Schultz's national show, which will be broadcast from 2 to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
About a dozen stations are carrying the show, mostly in smaller markets, said Amy Bolton, vice president and general manager of Jones Radio Network, a radio programming company based in Englewood, Colo. She hopes to get the program on 40 stations by year's end.
Bolton said the program also will be available on XM Satellite Radio, although the network did not list Schultz on its Monday roster of 64 talk hosts. XM has 101 channels, including sports, talk and a variety of music.
"There's a preconceived notion that he's not conservative and therefore won't work," Bolton said. "But a lot of stations flat out tell us, 'You sign up a few more stations, and we'll sign up.' They want something different."
Jason Stverak, director of the North Dakota Republican Party, said Schultz is good at "whipping up" people's passions. But he said Schultz's views are contrary to the opinions of most people in the state.
"I wish him the best of luck," Stverak said. "Obviously there are a lot of things that we don't see eye to eye on."
Democratic lawmakers have pledged to raise money for the show, which is being marketed by Jones Radio and Democracy Radio. Sens. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., and Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., were among Schultz's first guests.
"They are probably the two most vilified people on conservative talk radio in America," Schultz said of the senators. "This program, from time to time, is going to give those folks an opportunity to fight back."
Schultz also told his audience he's not afraid to criticize members of both parties. Within minutes of saying that Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean gives him the "willies," a member of Dean's staff called in to see if the former Vermont governor can get on the show. Schultz agreed.
In his first hour, Schultz talked about farm subsidies, President Bush, national security, Attorney General John Ashcroft, college football, Pete Rose and the Green Bay Packers. Schultz is a former college football player and television sports anchor, and he regularly broadcasts University of North Dakota football.
During a break, Schultz said he would not screen calls from listeners.
"That formula has always worked for me," Schultz said. "If I got to the big leagues throwing a fastball, isn't that what I want to throw when I get there?"
shawn hoffman wrote on Mar 7, 2007 5:35 PM:
Rabbi Samuel Levi Hurt wrote on Jan 22, 2007 11:10 AM:
kathern eli wrote on Dec 26, 2006 2:30 AM:
annoymous wrote on Nov 1, 2006 11:06 AM:
David Geffen wrote on Aug 14, 2006 9:20 PM:
Stel wrote on Jun 24, 2006 9:25 PM:
john wrote on Jun 24, 2006 6:32 PM:
Comments are reviewed for taste, tone and language before posting.
Some comments may be used in the Tribune's print edition.
We value and respect your privacy, but The Bismarck Tribune might
disclose certain information to governmental entities if served with subpoena.