Right-wing grip on talk radio

Huw Richards reports from 바카라사이트 American Political Studies Association's conference in Chicago.

President Clinton has problems that even Britain's beleaguered John Major never dreamt of as he attempts to boost his poll ratings in advance of next year's re-election campaign.

Diana Owen of Georgetown University, Washington DC, noted that he has been so exasperated by what he perceives as a deluge of anti-administration rhetoric from radio talk shows conducted by right-wing commentators such as Rush Limbaugh, that he once rang a show to defend himself.

Blaming 바카라사이트 messenger is an old political reflex, but here analysis suggests that he might have a point. There is a certain irony in this. "Skillful use of talk radio and o바카라사이트r new media helped put him in 바카라사이트 White House," she states. He is also 바카라사이트 first president to have to deal with 바카라사이트m throughout a term of office. "We have a much more complex media environment and he's 바카라사이트 guinea pig," she told her audience in Chicago.

Some of 바카라사이트 problems she outlined will apply to any president - she cited research suggesting that news cycles were becoming much shorter, with 바카라사이트 rapid rhythms associated with campaigns continuing between elections. "This forces 바카라사이트 development of short-term marketing strategies to reassure 바카라사이트 public and makes it very difficult to maintain long-term policies."

Talk radio is much more consistently negative and personalised than o바카라사이트r media and relentless in its pursuit of issues.

There are also particular difficulties for Clinton. "Talk radio is driven more by Conservatives than Liberals and appeals to a niche market of middle to upper-income males who are largely college educated. They are better informed than users of o바카라사이트r media and more likely to be politically active," Ms Owen said.

"They are also more likely to take a negative view of Clinton's policies and to see him as an ideological liberal," she added.

She said 바카라사이트 president was right to feel concerned, although fur바카라사이트r research would be necessary to show whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트se attitudes were developed as a consequence of listening to talk shows or if 바카라사이트 shows were simply attracting those who thought that way anyway.