Bacon's Rebellion

Allen on Imus

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by

James A. Bacon
in

Sen. George Allen was on the “Imus in the Morning” radio show this morning, being interviewed about terrorism. It was a nice slot to show a little gravitas, with events in London unfolding as he spoke.

Allen is serious about running for president. The best way to demonstrate that one is not a stereotypical “wingnut” is to appear on a show where the favorite guests are Sen. McCain, Sen. Kerry, and Sen. Dodd. A lot of conservatives avoid shows like Imus, perhaps because of its frequent raw humor. They’re losing a lot of exposure.

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  1. Sorrel Avatar
    Sorrel

    Imus serves up a balanced plate of Rs and Ds. He talks to a lot of journalists, so that may give the impression that the show leans left. Remember, however, that Imus was very hard on Clinton and has no use for Hillary. On his more alert mornings Imus can be unsparingly impatient with cant and ideological pap. Lazy thinking conservatives may not go for that, but our best and brightest have no trouble with Imus. Allan was on a few months ago and was just awful in his rote cheerleading for how great things were in Iraq. Imus was stunned and said so. After Allan left, Imus wondered out loud on the air whether the man had any idea what was going on. Allan’s last two appearances have been much better, much less talking point controlled. Imus does reach a lot of people and his interviews at 0630, 0730 and 0830 are usually informative and conversational. Conservatives should have no problem with the show.

  2. Will Vehrs Avatar
    Will Vehrs

    Thanks, Sorrel, for adding some good information.

    I didn’t realize Allen had appeared before–here in Richmond, Imus is broadcast on an AM signal powered by a 9V battery. I rarely get to hear it and I’m out of the house to early to watch him on MSNBC.

    I think it’s a good sign that Allen came back after being trashed. I think that’s part of the Imus shtick–if you can take some abuse, you’ll be rewarded eventually with kind words.

    Being on Imus is a good way to get introduced to parts of the country that don’t know anything about Virginia’s junior Senator. “Underdogs” have to step out to get noticed.

    I suspect we’ll see Mark Warner try to build a media appearance portfolio when he’s out of office. He’s gotten lots of good press from interviews he’s taken discussing National Governors Association issues.

  3. Not Guy Incognito Avatar
    Not Guy Incognito

    I missed Allen this morning, but he has a folksy manner that seems like it’d go well with Imus.

    Warner has become a favorite on CNN through the NGA, and he’s getting a nod as a contender pretty much anytime they mention the ’08 race (usually they throw him a bone after the obligitory Clinton reference). Come next year, I imagine he’ll still find a way to make his appearances.

  4. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    Imus is a registered Republican, and has said so on the show before.

  5. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    Yeah but he’s a NY Republican, right?

  6. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    …George Donald Imus is a big-government liberal, as are 90%+ of his guests (…whether they are Democrats -or- Republicans)

    There are plenty of ‘Republican’ big-government liberals — the current President, for example.

  7. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    My Republican boss, when I informed him that George Allen was the likely nominee:

    “But…but….but…doesn’t he have down syndrome?”

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