For reporting that is an embarrassment to the profession
of journalism, and for being beholden to corporate paymasters rather than
the citizens of America.
Everybody knows about the rabid Rush Limbaugh, but
many less well-known right-wing talk show hosts litter the cities of America,
like so much debris
in the gutter.
That brings us to the "host" of a "conservative" talk
radio program on WLW-AM radio in Cincinnati, Ohio (and he has also taken
over as host of the former Matt Drudge program on Sunday nights). Apparently,
an advance person for John McCain thought that "Willie" would
be a good opening act for a Cincy rally. Big mistake.
According to The
New York Times, "Cunningham
lambasted the national news media, drawing cheers from the audience, as
being soft in their coverage of Mr. Obama compared to the Republican presidential
candidates, declaring they should 'peel the bark off Barack Hussein Obama.' "
He went on to say, "At one point, the media will quit taking sides
in this thing and start covering Barack Hussein Obama." "Willie" also
called Obama a "hack Chicago-style Daley politician." And he
didn't stop there.
As the Chicago
Tribune noted, "'Hussein'
is often used by many of the senator's fiercest critics to insinuate something
sinister about Obama since the name obviously has plenty of negative associations
for many Americans, thanks to the late U.S. and Bush family nemesis."
To his credit, McCain (who was not on the stage at the time) apologized
for the mocking fear-mongering and tastelessness of his warm-up act. "I
take responsibility and I repudiate what he said," McCain said.
Later, a peeved Cunningham told CNN's John Roberts that "all was well.
No problem whatsoever until about an hour later . . .when John McCain threw
me under the bus, under the Straight Talk Express. I got thrown under the
bus."
"
Why is he attacking me and not Obama or Hillary? He ought to attack Democrats
and quit attacking conservatives like me," Cunningham said. "I've
had it up to here with John McCain. He's off the list. I'm joining Ann
Coulter in supporting Hillary Rodham Clinton."
This is one media supporter we are sure that Senator Clinton doesn't want,
nor would any reasonable candidate.
Cunningham has also been the center of controversy regarding comments that
he has made regarding
race relations in Cincinnati.
Often we have said that politics, entertainment, and the media have started
to merge in American society. Let's hope that "Willie's" performance
in Ohio is not a portent of things to come.
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