100 Most Influential Conservatives…
The Telegraph came out with a list of the 100 most influential US Conservatives…
18. GLENN BECK
Talk radio hostA reformed alcoholic and former drug addict who converted to Mormonism, Glenn Beck boasts the fourth most popular talk radio show in America with about five million listeners each week. His hour-long nightly television show on CNN is referred to by the network as “an unconventional look at the news of the day” and gives Beck’s conservative viewpoint an influential outlet in the American mainstream.
Beck recently stated he is “through with” George W. Bush, citing the issues of immigration reform and soaring government spending – a reflection of the views of many grassroots conservatives. A climate change sceptic and vocal advocate for more troops in Iraq. A persistent critic of political correctness, he has compared Al Gore to Goebbels and referred to Hillary Clinton as “Stalin in a pantsuit”. With a growing audience in the key 25-54 demographic, he is a potential heir to Rush Limbaugh.
23. ROGER AILES
President, Fox News ChannelVeteran media consultant for Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George Bush Snr. Along with the legendary operative Lee Attwater, he was responsible for Bush Snr’s against-the-odds victory over Michael Dukakis in 1988 by helping to portray the then Massachusetts governor as a weak leader lacking in humanity.
The presence of so many Fox personalities on this list is testament to the influence of the Murdoch-owned cable channel. Presenting an antidote to what conservatives see as the ingraining liberal bias of the mainstream media, Fox has redefined television news under Ailes’s direction since he was brought in to run it in 1996.
44. SEAN HANNITY
Cable and talk radio hostThe heir to Rush Limbaugh. Television talk-show host for Fox News’ shows “Hannity & Colmes” and “Hannity’s America”. His talk radio show is second only in listenership to Limbaugh. There are few better ways for a conservative politician to reach their “base” electorate than by being interviewed by Hannity.
Since 2003 he has organised the annual “Freedom Concerts” which provide scholarship money to children of service members who have been killed or injured during military service. A high-profile supporter of Rudy Giuliani who has hosted a fundraiser for the former New York mayor, Hannity, 45, believes in winning power rather than ideological purity.
52. BRIT HUME
Television anchorManaging Editor of Fox New Channel, Hume is a well-known political broadcaster and commentator. Hosts “Special Report with Brit Hume” and a frequent participant on “Fox News Sunday”. Highly accomplished news journalist who is never afraid to hold Republicans to account.
“Sure, I’m a conservative, no doubt about it,” Hume has said. “But I would ask people to look at the work.” Hume shuns Washington’s social life and is little interested in self-promotion. But his understated style and rigorous intellect are powerful attributes and his frequent targeting by the Left underlines his importance in the war of ideas.
82. BILL O’REILLY
Presenter: Fox News and radio host.His television show, The O’Reilly Factor, is routinely the highest-rated programme on the three major US cable news channels. A relentlessly combative and confrontational performer who has a knack of encapsulating what the ordinary Middle American Conservative is thinking.
Through television, radio and books, he has immense reach. Describing himself as an independent “traditionalist”, O’Reilly has become a Liberal hate figure – a sure sign of his influence. When he gets hold of an issue, Conservatives listen.
92. COLONEL OLIVER NORTH
Fox News hostFormer National Security Council official during the Reagan administration who became embroiled in the Iran-Contra scandal. He remains a beloved figure among Conservatives and is immensely popular with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, whose exploits he champions in his show “War Stories with Oliver North”.
Narrowly defeated in a run for the Senate in Virginia in 1994 and now 64, North is now more of a Conservative icon than an active political player. But the Vietnam veteran remains a potent figure nevertheless.
I don’t see how Glenn Beck was able to place higher than Hannity, who, as noted above, has the second highest rated radio talk show and whose TV program ranks much higher than does Beck’s.
Comment by Missy — November 3, 2007 @ 1:11 pm
Missy, I was thinking the exact same thing. Not to mention, Hannity is a multi-time best selling author. He’s much, much more influential than Glenn Beck.
Comment by bigred — November 3, 2007 @ 1:28 pm
I wonder, was this a a ranking of the 100… or just a list. If it is in fact a ranking, I’d be interested to know how they came up with those numbers… because they seem really out of whack.
Comment by ImNotBlue — November 3, 2007 @ 1:44 pm
Rush and Bill aren’t at the top?Give me a break.
Comment by SHANE — November 3, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
Read the article Shane. Rush is 5th and O’Reilly is 82nd, right ahead of Peggy Noonan and Michelle Malkin.
Interesting is presidential hopeful Giuliani in 1st place but incumbent President Bush at 21st. Maybe it’s the British definition of ‘Conservative’.
Comment by Grandpa D — November 3, 2007 @ 4:20 pm
Interesting is presidential hopeful Giuliani in 1st place but incumbent President Bush at 21st.
There’s a difference between influential and powerful. About the only influence Bush has now is to cause everyone to run away from whatever position he’s espousing.
I do question ranking Guliani #1, however. Does he actually influence conservatives? I don’t think so.
Comment by Arthur — November 3, 2007 @ 4:25 pm
I think Rush should be #1. Ditto heads won’t wipe their anatomical nates without first getting his approval.
Comment by elmonica — November 3, 2007 @ 5:04 pm
I don’t agree with this list either. Rush and Hannity should be in the top 5!
Comment by Melanie — November 3, 2007 @ 7:15 pm
My nates do get a bit crusty over the weekend.
Comment by laural — November 3, 2007 @ 8:34 pm
But really, laural, whose don’t?
Comment by ImNotBlue — November 3, 2007 @ 8:40 pm
I was hesitant to share, but somehow elm made it seem okay.
Comment by laural — November 3, 2007 @ 8:44 pm
Elmonica has a Bowl of Grape-Nates with sour milk every morning ,got to start the day off right .
Comment by mike — November 3, 2007 @ 9:35 pm
What’s also surprising is that while Giuliani is deemed #1 by the authors of the list, many Republicans don’t support him because they don’t think he’s conservative at all! He’s not my #1 guy (as I mention constantly, I’m for Duncan Hunter), but I’ll vote for whoever the party nominates. You know, elmo, whoever Rush tells us to vote for.
Comment by Missy — November 3, 2007 @ 10:09 pm
I would have put George W. Bush number 1 and Matt Drudge number 2. I think Rupert Murdoch is more influent than Roger Ailes. I would rank James Dobson higher and Ron Paul higher too. I don’t know how Andrew Sullivan made the conservative list. And where is Lou Dobbs?
Comment by RJ — November 4, 2007 @ 12:34 am
Missy – Good luck with Duncan Hunter, LMAO!
Comment by RJ — November 4, 2007 @ 12:35 am
RJ, you can lyao all you want, but he is the best conservative candidate. Too bad the MSM has deemed that candidates from the House (Hunter, Tancredo and Paul) are to be basically ignored. The media is promoting Huckabee, for some reason; I guess it’s because he’s pro-illegal aliens.
Comment by Missy — November 4, 2007 @ 1:56 am
#3 If you read Spud’s post, “…came out with a list of the 100 most…
Comment by Aaron — November 4, 2007 @ 4:36 am
And yet, the “list” itself reads like a “ranking.”
That’s where the confusion is… at least for me.
Comment by ImNotBlue — November 4, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
Arthur: “I do question ranking Guliani #1, however. Does he actually influence conservatives? I don’t think so.”
I question that #1 ranking too, Arthur. But I would argue that Rudy does have an influence on many conservatives. Rudy’s “conservatism” is influencing many Repulbicans to look elsewhere for a candidate who is actually a real conservative. ;-)
LOL, Elmonica and Laurel.
Comment by STP — November 4, 2007 @ 12:58 pm
Putting Giuliani #1 is ridiculous. He’s not a true conservative. Top influential Republican… maybe. Not even sure about that.
Missy, I appreciate your fondness for Duncan Hunter, but you have to consider the future of the party. There is only one true social and fiscal conservative who has a legitimate show of winning the nomination and beating Hillary, and that’s Fred Thompson.
Comment by bigred — November 4, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
Fred is too boring to win… BUT…
About Glenn Beck. According to Drudge, he’s in for a big payday. 25-50 mil.
Comment by jmkaib — November 4, 2007 @ 2:19 pm