WYD’s Ron Hartenbaum and Michael Smerconish in Talkers. The quotes are below and the full article can be seen here
Slightly right-of-center Michael Smerconish of WYD Media (who has interviewed President Obama seven times) tells TALKERS, “You can’t help but look at the post-election breakdown of the demographic shift in the nation and how it bodes poorly for the long term survival of the GOP, without thinking about what that also means for talk radio. The parallels are plain to see. Just as the Republican Party needs to grow its base beyond older, white males, so too must talk radio. We too are devoid of support among minority groups, the young and women listeners. And like the GOP, we need to assess our message and question if it suits the times. Not only is that smart business, which might help us grow market share and attract advertisers instead of relying on a loyal but small base, but it is also good for the country. People are tired of the polarization. The reason that Hurricane Sandy was a key moment at the end of the campaign is that voters liked seeing the Democratic standard bearer standing with the man who delivered the keynote address to the GOP convention. That is the sort of bipartisanship the nation needs. And we, as an industry, should be promoting that change, not fomenting division and standing in its way.”
….Noted talk radio impresario Ron Hartenbaum of WYD Media and WYM Media whose stable of talk talent runs the gamut from the far left to the far right sums the discussion up as follows: “First, the campaign for 2016 has already commenced. On the Republican side – Christie, Bush, Rubio, and Ryan. Unlike 2012 — an actual intelligent and experienced group of conservative legislators and executives. On the Democratic side – Biden and Clinton, also intelligent and experienced. No lack of experience, no lack of brain power in this group on either side…an excellent, positive prognosis for our nation going forward. Second, the public wants compromise; the public wants their government to move forward and resolve issues. What the broadcast talk industry needs to deliver every day is an entertaining discussion about our nation being competitive on a global basis.” Hartenbaum concludes, “Compromise is not a dirty word. It is a reality word. If we don’t continue to move forward, by definition we fall behind.”