Right Wing Media Uses Dull Knives on Obama

The LA Times' James Rainey is reporting on the new post-election trend in the right-wing media, and to paraphrase The Who, it's the same as the old trend:

"The Obama recession is in full swing, ladies and gentlemen," Limbaugh told his radio audience of 15 million to 20 million on Thursday. "Stocks are dying, which is a precursor of things to come. This is an Obama recession. Might turn into a depression."

Apparently the tanking of the real estate market, record losses in the auto industry, and massive failures in the banking and investment industry have very little to do with our problems. The economic system is collapsing, Rush wants us to know, because it anticipates the tax increases Obama has pledged on capital gains and for the highest income earners.

Rainey goes on to note that Sean Hannity is going with the "associations" and "he's a mystery" narratives that failed during the election because, as Brit Hume puts it, "It just didn't fit with the man you saw before your eyes."

It didn't work then, and it won't work now. Being the opposition is a great opportunity for these guys, but they're blowing it already by trotting out the same failed rhetoric as the McCain (would-be) administration.

Never fear, though, for I am nothing if not charitable. Here are my suggestions for how the right-wing media can step up and seize the brass ring during the next 16 years.

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Steal This Bit of Genius: The right has already taken an unsuccessful swing at duplicating The Daily Show with "The Half Hour Comedy Hour," which enjoyed a half-half-half season full season before being mercifully canceled. I suggest a different route. Try ripping off Stephen Colbert instead.

Taking a cue from Ben Affleck's well-received parody of Keith Olbermann, you could build the show around an always-in-character liberal blowhard who thinks he's really funny. Keep the touch light, though. Make it funny first, political second.

Pass the Arugula: Don't be afraid to be "elitist." There's a vast, untapped reserve of smart Republicans out there, waiting to be served. Instead of political "Hee Haw" like Hannity or Limbaugh, try someone smart like...

Entertain Us!: Jericho was a nice try at remaking Lost for Red Staters, but it was too dumb. Try to infiltrate entertainment, but in a broader way. Instead of making the characters conservative archetypes, explore conservative themes in normal shows. For example, have the cast of "CSI" not solve a case all season because their funding was cut.

Attack Obama From the Left: Obviously, attacking him from the right didn't help Hillary Clinton or John McCain. Where does that leave you? Start reading Daily Kos, and amplify pieces about how Obama is appointing too many "centrist" DLC types and Republicans, or how he won't investigate the Bush administration.

An Army of Colmes's: You can always do what my buddy, Caleb Howe, does on our radio show: Become the token Republican who gets smacked around by the liberal host. In the Brave New Media landscape of the Obama (followed by Chelsea Clinton) era, there will be lots of those jobs available.

Tommy Christopher co-hosts "Unusable Signal" , on BlogTalkRadio Tues - Thur at 9pm, and Fri, & Sat at 11pm. Click here for the Unusable Signal homepage.

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