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CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) Meg Ellefson, who I share this microphone with, is the most important conservative voice in Central Wisconsin. 60,000 people listen to this broadcast because they like what they hear. People tend not to listen to broadcasts they don’t like.
So it was curious that at a membership meeting of the Republican Party a small group of people got up and spoke about how they dislike Meg. Her sin is that she doesn’t give free onair time on her program to their preferred candidates.
Allow me to explain how this works. Meg is personally responsible for her ratings, and she’s been remarkably successful. She gets to choose the topics, the guests, and the callers. There have been times that I’ve made suggestions, but the final decision is hers. Why? Because the show would not be successful is it was filled with topics, guests and callers that the host isn’t interested in. If the host is interested, why would the audience be?
Now, it’s important to know that no candidates are shut out from accessing WSAU’s audience. Anyone can buy advertising on this radio station and share whatever message they wish. Under FCC rules, candidates get favorable rates and we cannot refuse their ads. There are also equal times rules within 45 days or a primary and within 90 days of an election.
But it’s wrong for a candidate to assume that they’ll gin up publicity through free interviews on various political talk shows. The media should never be relied on as a candidate’s free PR wing.
Now suppose a potentially new member of the Republican Party showed up at this week’s membership meeting. They don’t know anyone and don’t know what to expect. The likelihood that they are a Meg Ellefson fan and listener is overwhelmingly high. Again, she’s the biggest voice in the movement. And then they hear her attacked. Maybe they begin to think that they don’t have as much in common with these people as they thought. They don’t join the party. They don’t volunteer for a political campaign. They don’t put up lawn signs or knock on doors. The Republican ground game is weaker than it otherwise would be.
Republicans already have the disadvantages of drop boxes, fighting redistricting, and being outvoted in early and absentee voting. For those who think Meg Ellefson is the problem, ready… aim… fire. The circular firing squad within the GOP needs to claim more victims before it is satisfied.
Chris Conley
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