April 23, 2008

I’ve been feeling hopeful lately about two people I admire: Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham. It may be wishful thinking, but what I’ve heard from both of them recently is a renewed resolve to do a better job of influencing “the process” and politicians, especially at the state and local levels. As a former state legislator, I say, “Awesome!”

Back when John McCain was rising to the top of the Republican field, Hannity was beside himself with disbelief. He was palpably tormented by how Republicans could rally around John McCain and reject conservative alternatives. I happened to catch Hannity’s radio show on my commute one day as he resolved with great fanfare that he would no longer put his faith in the Republican Party to advocate for a conservative agenda; he would do it himself and “take his message directly to Congress,” or something to that effect.

Moreover, a few weeks ago I caught part of Laura Ingraham’s show that really excited me. She was interviewing a state legislator from Florida about a pro-life issue that Ingraham thought deserved national attention. After the interview Ingraham announced, with considerable fervor, that the interview had been the start of her commitment to be a better advocate for conservative causes at the state and local level—an excellent way to spend her considerable gravitas and significant media influence.

Maybe Sean and Laura sense that, although they are flourishing economically and are profoundly influential with their audiences, they have not enjoyed as much success with those they really yearn to persuade—the elected officials. I hope and pray that they are both wildly successful.

The mainstream print media—the major daily papers—figured this one out long ago: although most people don’t read the editorial pages, legislators do—religiously. Although most people don’t watch “Meet the Press,” legislators and policymakers do—religiously. And, as strange as it sounds, unlike most normal folks, legislators Google their names about 20 times a day! Herein is the secret power of the old media—the egos and fears of the electeds. I’ve seen too many promising conservatives “run for the hills,” becoming hapless RINOs after a merciless scorching by the local paper.

As a former conservative Florida state legislator and part of the Florida “Republican Revolution” in 1996, I observed that even the most steeled conservative lawmakers were mortified by the prospect of being hammered by the liberal Florida daily newspapers. Back then we could have used a lot of “close air support” from the likes of Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham and even Rush Limbaugh, but we didn’t get it. They were apparently too interested in the national scene.

Thus, those elected officials who were a part of the conservative movement, like Jeb Bush and the newly elected conservatives in the state legislature, were annihilated by the major Florida dailies, like the British at Dunkirk. The result was the suppression of the conservative agenda through sheer intimidation by the liberals in the mainstream media. I don’t believe the Florida experience is unique.

It would be a big job, but Sean and Laura certainly have the “air power” to “own the skies” above our state capitals and courthouses if they will use it. If Sean and  Laura want to do something about their frustrations with the national scene, they cannot be reminded enough of the adage that, “If you take care of the courthouse and the statehouse, the White House will take care of itself.” 

Teaching conservative thought and ridiculing liberals on a national level has been the mainstay of Hannity, Ingraham and the other nationally syndicated conservative talk hosts. It is exciting to believe that they might spend some of their political capital at the state and local levels as advocates for specific conservatives—and against specific socialists. Turning the tables on the old media would be sweet, and the state and local elected officials would be most appreciative.

Even if today conservatives don’t enjoy the strength we once did nationally, I have great hope that by engaging at the state and local level we can still make a positive impact on the future of our great nation.

Johnnie Byrd is a lawyer and host of “Johnnie Byrd’s Weekend” heard on WGUL-AM 860 in Tampa Bay, FL. Contact Johnnie at johnnie.byrd@hotmail.com.