Ed Schultz

[Donna Halper]

>Bob wrote--
>
>Hannity mentioned on his show yesterday that "Schulz is financed by 
>the Dem. party". Of course
>some have also argued that conservative shows are similarly backed 
>by Republicans..judge for thyself.
>Apparently Schultz claimed the man called his wife a very nasty 
>epithet; the man claims Schultz
>gave his phone number out over the air and he's been bombarded with 
>calls, etc.

First, a disclaimer-- I do have a dog in this fight, since I am good 
friends with several of the folks we are discussing (Ed, Wendy, 
Holmey).  But I also try to be honest.  Ed is not a shy guy, and if 
people hassle him, he will push back.  Guys in bars do tend to get 
into these kinds of rants, but no joke, I've socialised with Ed and 
Wendy and she is absolutely 100% a social drinker who doesn't get 
into altercations with people, and since she and Ed got together, Ed 
has gotten into being healthy, sober, maintaining a positive public 
image (he used to be a football coach and was known in the market for 
never backing down from a fight), etc.  I am not saying the incident 
didn't occur-- I am saying the rightie undoubtedly said the things 
that he is supposed to have said, including the vile language he used 
to Ed's wife.  There is no need for that.  There are some people who 
just don't wanna let a public figure have dinner and a beer in 
peace.  Terry Francona can tell you about that!  So can just about 
every athlete.

That said, I have seen some of the financials for the Ed Schultz Show 
and one more time, Sean your information is OLD.  Ed was indeed 
backed by several Democratic politicians in 2004.  Since early 2006, 
his show has been turning a profit.  Really.  He doesn't need 
backers.  He has sponsors.  Ed is understandably angry about being 
accused of being a tool of the Democrats, since he has worked very 
hard to get his show syndicated nationally.  He has rubbed some 
people the wrong way in the process and he will tell you himself 
sometimes he doesn't think before he speaks.  But Mike Harrison, 
editor of the very right-leaning Talkers Magazine, gave Ed an award 
as one of the top 5 most influential talk show hosts this past year, 
and even Mike acknowledged that the show has succeeded ON ITS OWN.

Ed has offered to debate Sean at least 5 times, and as for the 
"conditions", nothing that any talk show host wouldn't ask.  Ed likes 
publicity as much as Sean does, and all he has asked, as far as 
I  know, is that he not be ganged up on-- the one time he went on 
Fox, they cut his mike every time he disagreed with the host.  They 
don't do that when he is on Larry King or MSNBC's Tucker (a rightie 
with whom he is actually friendly).