Shout out to Ed Shultz....anyone with me?

[senseandsensibility]

Ed has really come a long way. I realize he is not everyone's cup of tea, and I used to be lukewarm about him myself. But he covers issues that I really care about in a way that I think the average person can relate to.

For example, tonight he covered public education again, and as a public school teacher I really appreciate that. He flat out calls out conservatives on their hidden agenda of privatizing education. I'm just not hearing that anywhere else.

Also, I used to cringe whenever Ed talked to a female. He seemed awkward and/ or condescending. Now he covers the "War on Women" as much as Rachel, and always with female guests. He seems comfortable and does not try to monopolize the conversation. He really listens to the women.

I think he is maturing as a journalist and a liberal, and proving that middle-aged people can evolve and begin new careers. That's an inspiration to middle-aged people like me!

Good job, Ed!

[AtomicKitten]

1. I have to say his production team is top notch.

Ed's show is infinitely more polished than it was when he first started.

[senseandsensibility]

3. I agree with both of your comments.

Ed's the kind of job creator that I can get behind. I'm sure they're paid very well and deserve every penny.

[AtomicKitten]

6. I love his catch phrase, "Let's get to work."

[MADem]

2. It isn't easy dealing with the cameras and the red lights and the director yelling in your ear.

Ed is doing very well, as is Al Sharpton.

Even Rachel Maddow was clumsy at the start--she had radio experience, though, so her curve was much smoother and more rapid.

[senseandsensibility]

5. Ed also has years of radio experience, and still does his radio show daily.

That's where I first heard him, but I wasn't nearly as impressed in those days.

[MADem]

21. I think he was probably more of a scratcher and a farter into the seat!

It's a drill, too, to have to worry about how you look, no nose picking, don't slouch, etc!

[NewJeffCT]

13. Ed had a lot of radio experience as well

probably more than Rachel. However, I think Rachel is just so smart that it made it seem her curve was smoother & more rapid. (Not saying Ed is stupid - just that Rachel is a cut above.)

[MADem]

22. I think Rachel had a better stylist, too--or maybe she didn't push back quite so hard

when the studio came in with the rack of clothes and told her "Contact Lenses--no negotiation on that score." Ed started out looking a bit "used car salesman-ish" but he's come a long way, himself.

I'm in front of one of those huge TVs with HD where no detail goes unnoticed (I am travelling so not in front of my crappy old set) and I am impressed with the polish on both of them.

[calimary]

24. I like them very much - Ed, Al, and Lawrence.

And I LOVE Martin Bashir and Rachel - my two favorites on there now.

We NEED this bench-strength. Badly! And yeah, the folks on Current, too. We need 'em ALL! We have a long way to go before we achieve parity with the whole Pox/limbaugh machinery.

[MADem]

28. +1 nt

[malaise]

4. He has a good program

Pro labor all the way

[tallahasseedem]

7. I have watched The Ed Show

since day one...what a phenomenal show it has turned out be!

[LASlibinSC]

8. Thats why I like his show.

You can't accuse him of being slick. He talks about things that matter to me. Calls BS when he sees it. YAY ED

[freshwest]

12. +1

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

9. Production team is great. I just wish that sometimes Ed was quicker on his recall of facts.

He often allows himself to be stumped by wingnut callers because he's not quick on his feet...

[eridani]

39. You want a polymath, you have to stick to Maddow or Hartmann

He's selling populism rather than being a world-class information junkie, and it works. Wish he'd do more followup when he doesn't know the answer, though.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

40. I don't want him to be Maddow or Hartmann or anyone else but Ed. I love Ed and listen

to his talk show daily. I also watch his show nightly. I've been a fan for many years. However, I still think he's very slow on his feet. I don't expect him to be an information junkie; I just want him to know a little more than he does, since he is one of the more visible liberals in mainstream media. And I agree: he needs to do more follow-up if he doesn't know the answer. Go and find the answer and then report back.

[jillan]

10. When he was on the same time as Keith, I'd watch Keith. Well now I'm watching Ed.

And I agree! He has come a long way and I really enjoy his show.

[Auntie Bush]

16. I bet that Ed's ratings have gone up now that Keith is no longer on. nt

[Raine]

11. I LOVE Big Eddie

always have!

[polichick]

14. Me too - at least as long as I've been aware of him...

Heard he was once a Republican, but he sure is making up for it these days!

[cilla4progress]

15. Love Big Eddie!

First started listening to him in 2010 when I was unemployed. Heck, all the MSNBC anchors. Ed has his own special niche: labor issues.

I love them all...really, I do. (Actually, Matthews is generally pretty obnoxious, but he does get good conversation out of folks, when he shuts up long enough to listen to them!)

[Grassy Knoll]

17. I would love to have a bratwurst and a brewski with him....

At any tailgate party or rally. He's Real.

[bluestate10]

18. Ed is on fire now.

I am glad to see that he recognizes that he made a big mistake suggesting that voters that were disappointed that Obama had not done enough leading up to the 2010 election stay home. The outcome of voters sitting home has done major damage to america. Ed is gutting Romney and people like Scott Walker, he seemed determined to keep them out of office. Ed is a powerful voice, he is now using that voice properly.

[femmocrat]

19. I love his show.

His radio show is even better, IMO. I started listening to him during the early days of the Wisconsin protests. He is top-notch in spotlighting issues for working people.

[highplainsdem]

20. K&R!

[movingviolation]

23. I'm watching him right now.

God damn Rmoney is such a fucking tool!Then again, so are the rest of the repuke fascist fuckheads.

[jwirr]

25. Ed is the kind of man that you would want at your back in a fight. I love what he is doing when

he supports an issue.

[goclark]

26. I am a Big Ed Fan

n/t

[flamingdem]

31. Yes, exactly!

The guy is loyal to those he respects.

[bbgrunt]

27. Big Eddie has found his niche.

I remember the early days when he feuded with Randi Rhodes and Mike. Randi basically felt he would do anything for money and that he wasn't really a liberal--just ambitious.

then, he also spent a lot of time on his radio show talking sports and hunting and fishing to the dismay of some of his listeners.

But with his focus on labor issues and the tv program he has become one of the premier liberal voices in media. The lack of labor focus in the corporate media has been such a severe drought that I worried that msnbc sponsors would eventually squash him.......but he is getting too valuable to disappear so easily.

Kudos to you, Mr. Schultz.

[GoCubsGo]

44. I don't mind that he talks sports and fishing every once in a while.

It's a nice break from all the other crap with which he as to deal. I started out with mixed feelings on Ed, too. But, he has grown on me, as well, mainly due to his focus on labor issues and the way he handles the wingnuts who call in to his radio show. He has as little tolerance for their bullshit as I do. I especially love how he promotes "Made in America" products.

[Canuckistanian]

29. Meh.

Ed's OK. He's improving with age, though.

[southerncrone]

30. I've always liked his show.

But he does keep getting better & better.
He puts his money where his mouth is & steps up to the plate w/the Free Health Clinics.
He has given them so much press, they would not have otherwise received & I feel sure more people were helped as a result.
Go, Ed!

[indivisibleman]

32. completely agree with you.

We have always liked his radio program. There have only been a few times when he's gone off on a caller and I thought it was uncalled for. hehe.
When he went to television I was rooting for Chenk and disappointed that Ed got the job. But soon after it went through I was really impressed with his transition to TV and he has gotten better and better over time. He does a great job and I am so thankful that we have someone like him on team progressive.

[provis99]

34. Al Sharpton got Cenk's job, not Ed.

Ed already had his show.

[indivisibleman]

78. I was talking about the

earlier competition for the slot that Ed got. Both Ed and Chenk were up as candidates and Ed won out. Chenk later got his own slot and did a great job. You are talking about a year or so later when Chenk went off and Al got his show.

[provis99]

33. Ed's the only one who focuses on the working class.

The others on MSNBC, and all the politicians babble on about helping the middle class, with not a single thought for the working class.

[just1voice]

35. How much money does Ed make at MSMedia MSNBC?

I think he makes at least a million a year selling commercials and talking points. The commercials make up 36% of the showtime too which makes programs like that unwatchable to me. Also, MSNBC deals in propaganda, especially propaganda as it is defined here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda

---Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position. Propaganda is usually repeated and dispersed over a wide variety of media in order to create the desired result in audience attitudes.

As opposed to impartially providing information, propaganda, in its most basic sense, presents information primarily to influence an audience. Propaganda often presents facts selectively (thus possibly lying by omission) to encourage a particular synthesis, or uses loaded messages to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented. The desired result is a change of the attitude toward the subject in the target audience to further a political agenda. Propaganda can be used as a form of political warfare.---

[otohara]

48. Does Ed Spew Propaganda?

helping teachers and labor, exposing right-wing governors who are anti-worker, exposing ALEC

I for one am glad Ed is on MSNBC, along with Rachel, Lawrence, Chris Hayes and a few others.

He's a good man

[senseandsensibility]

67. Agree! This is not propaganda.

It is fact based, unlike the Republicans.

[groundloop]

53. WTF???? You come on a DEMOCRATIC message board and try to discredit Ed and MSNBC !!!!

Dude, if you want to see propaganda go watch Fox and then let's compare notes on which station is full of lies and made up stories.

[just1voice]

61. Study the definition of propaganda and read a few books on it

I gave you a link and a definition which I noticed you have no response to, only some snarky remark. Figures.

[groundloop]

73. Didn't mean to seem "snarky"

Condescending, yes. Snarky, no.

Call it what you will, Ed Schultz stands up for working Americans and does it using facts. Compare that to Faux News which makes stuff up as they go to support their big-business, anti-labor allies.

[Hermes Daughter]

36. I love this!

A great observation. I've noticed this too lately. Maybe he's relaxing on TV and his years of radio experience are coming through. He's so relaxed, compassionate and on top of things. He's becoming one of the best.

[loyalsister]

37. He has grown on me too

I used to see him as the anti- Rush- spouting opinions I agreed with but annoyingly loud. He and his program have changed to where he seems to have much more substance. He is definitely not like Rush in that he uses facts to back his opinions.

I was also impressed by how far he has come after learning more about his history.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

38. Let's get to work,

with big Ed!

[Greybnk48]

41. I love Big Eddie!

I didn't like him at first either, but have come to love him. I must admit I'm from Wisconsin and immersed in this Scott Walker debacle; Ed has been our champion! I don't agree with him 100%, but I adore him and really like his style. He comes across as honest and I'm happy for his success.

[99Forever]

42. Ed is a straight shooter.

I'll take him over the mealy-mouthed conartists in Washington DC pretending to care about us while handing our Nation over to the greedy 1%, every time.

[MrMickeysMom]

43. Just looked at his recent charts and talk about the middle class... I agree with you.

I may start watching MSNBC again just for him (and Rachel).

I love repeating schedules so that I can watch both Current and MSNBC.

Ed's fighting like hell and it shows. I'm sending the YouTube stuff of this to my brother, "the independent".

[Daniel537]

45. Love him

He always call it like he sees it. And its good to have a Midwest populist on a network that employs mostly Northeast liberals. He can reach out to those blue collar folks in a way others can't.

[NCDawg]

46. Completely agree!!

I've been an Ed fan since he began on MSNBC!...He's made a few stumbles along the way, but they've been honest stumbles! Once more, he's been man enough to admit his errors and apologize for them, on-air and without the double-speak that often accompanies a similarly event aired on Faux!

Ed brings a fire and passion to his reporting that is very much needed! Ed speaks for the middle class and middle America and his popularity should signal that this is a population segment anxious for representation.

Kudos Ed! Keep giving those bobble heads at Faux, the Hell they deserve!

[Iwillnevergiveup]

47. His alliance with John Nichols

has been a huge asset for his show. Both of them cut to the chase.

Am becoming more disenchanted with Rachel, in terms of her delivery, not ideas or positions. Put simply, she talks too much and too fast, often repeating herself - I guess for emphasis. Even her questions to guests are paragraphs-long. What makes it worse is the closed captions cannot keep up with her, so for folks dependent on them, they're missing A LOT!

[iamthebandfanman]

49. Im amazed by the love on DU

for Ed these days.


just 8 years ago the man was "mostly" hated by people on DU for bring a fake democrat/liberal..
i mean, he was a republican for a long time..then again so was ms huffington..
but , as hes stated back then .. he just wants 'to make alot of money'..
and if thats the case,
maybe he changed his views to fill a void he saw in broadcasting...my understanding was he was at the bottom of the ladder on conservative radio (since people like rush, and a dozen others, were already dominating the genre)..

who knows.
i guess all that matters is now eh ?

[Zookeeper]

69. Ed gave an interview some years ago, where he stated..

that his wife opened his eyes to Liberal causes. I used to listen to him on Air America and have always believed his heart is in the right place.

[hifiguy]

50. I've always liked Big Ed.

He has never tried to be anything other than himself. His dedication to, and championing of, issues affecting ordinary working people is unsurpassed by anyone in the media. I am more to the left than he is, but I am damned glad to have him on our side.

[bayareaboy]

51. Ed does good graph's ...

He puts one on the board and it makes good sense, understandable, and you can tell he would have been a good Teacher.

The Man has worked with labor to try and keep as many wage earners in the middle class as possible.

[Chakaconcarne]

52. i love big eddie as well.....but

What concerns me sometimes is the rhetoric. We need someone like him on the left, but I'm a little uncomfortable that he may appear like some of those on the right and people in the middle would turn away. I think he could be as effective if his rhetoric against republicans was toned down. I'm conflicted.

[ErikJ]

54. GOP fears him most

Ed hunts, fishes, big working man supporter and is a huge football fan. Just like half the Republicon base . If he ran for office he could go far and make a huge dent in their base I think.

He also consistently has the best guests. Alan Grayson is his guest right now. But its a repeat radio show.

[RebelOne]

55. I watch Ed every night,

but I switch back and forth between him and Elliot Spitzer.

[DLevine]

56. Love Ed. K&R. n/t

[Glaisne]

57. America...

You're better off Ed.

Let's get to work.

[Plucketeer]

58. The wife and I love Ed's show

In fact, I like ALL the left-leaning commentators/pundits that we have to choose from. Between MSNBC, Current, FSTV & RT, we have a formidable group telling truths to power.

[madrchsod]

59. he used to rant about the destruction of hunting lands and rivers.

his appeal was what party was going to protect the hunting and fishing in this country. he started out as a rabid populist and has mellowed out a bit on some issues and bulldogged others. he`s the only guy on the radio or tv that you could actually have a beer and a shot with.

[angel823]

60. I have a secret crush on him

I always tell my friends I'm looking for my "Ed Schultz" here in Texas. Lots of luck with that.

Angel in Texas

[Bake]

62. I recently cut my u-verse TV to the bone so I don't get ANY cable news anymore.

I miss Ed ... and Rachel ... and Lawrence ... and Rev. Al.

Hell, I even miss Tweety!

Sigh.

Bake

[ScottLand]

63. Hear hear! K&R!

[Dont call me Shirley]

64. He is also getting the sports & hunting crowd lured in.

He was hard on women, one must have set him straight about it. But kudos to Ed.

[hlthe2b]

65. I agree... He had quite a road to travel to get to his current comfort level and place...

But I most certainly give him credit for doing so. He has risen to th echallenge.

[horseshoecrab]

66. I love Big Ed!

Wouldn't miss his MSNBC show. He is one dude who tells it exactly like it is with a whole lot of heart!




horseshoecrab

[Snarkoleptic]

68. He's really found his voice and taken the gloves off.

Love the way he shines light on the Walker/Koch conspiracy in Wisconsin.

[Bozita]

70. His coverage of the whole Wisconsin thing has been stellar

[Honeycombe8]

71. I love Big Ed. He goes too far sometimes, IMO, but by and large, he tells it straight up

and in plain language.

[happerbolic]

72. I'd be almost positive...

...all accolades to this guy's reformation has to go to his wonderful wife Wendy.

... and he would be a guy man enough to admit that .

[Towlie]

74. If he's maturing, I'd like to see him publicly give up his "sport" of slaughtering animals.

[Zookeeper]

77. I was very anti-hunting until I moved to MN, where..

Ed lives. We have an abundance of deer in this area, which have few natural predators left. I'm well within the Mpls. Metro area and we have deer wandering in the street and our 1/3 acre yards! Every person I know who goes deer hunting, either freezes and eats the meat throughout the winter or they donate it to a food bank. I've come to believe that there is a difference between that kind of hunting and the hunting for "sport" that so many rich Rethugs indulge in, with game ranches that make sure they get their trophy animal.

[colsohlibgal]

75. Ed's OK but....

I'm much more of a Thom Hartmann type, I'm hoping that Current, at some point, will add Thom. He is brilliant, and so often plays stirring clips of FDR, JFK, and even some Teddy Roosevelt here and there.

I'm mostly with Ed politically but he's a bit bombastic and worse, sounds too much like Rush, shudder.

[senseandsensibility]

76. Thom's perfect for Current!

I agree, but it's not an either or situation. We need different voices to reach different people.