Like, Whatever

The mainstream media and most liberals tend to depict right wing talk radio hosts as one monolithic block of hating-spewing, democracy-endangering, violence-encouraging blowhards. Actual listeners of conservative talk radio recognize that there are many variations within the realm when it comes to content, talent, and tone.

The results of a recent Right Wing News poll on how right-of-center bloggers regard prominent figures on the right, there is also a variety of opinion about those on the right feel about said talk radio hosts.

For instance, two of the more popular hosts--on both radio and television--were disliked by more than a quarter of the respondents:

How do you feel about Glenn Beck?
Strongly like: 16% (13 votes)
Like: 58% (47 votes)
Dislike: 16% (13 votes)
Strongly dislike: 9% (8 votes)

How do you feel about Sean Hannity?
Strongly like: 19% (16 votes)
Like: 50% (41 votes)
Dislike: 24% (20 votes)
Strongly dislike: 4% (4 votes)

And Beck's and Hannity's approval was pretty lukewarm with less than 20% saying they strongly liked either.

Compare that to a guy who I really haven't had a chance to listen to much at all:

How do you feel about Mark Levin?
Strongly like: 40% (32 votes)
Like: 46% (37 votes)
Dislike: 13% (11 votes)
Strongly dislike: 0% (0 votes)

Levin is liked by 86% with 40% strongly liking him. I would venture to guess this has more to do with his most recent book than his radio show.

Not surprisingly, Rush stands out:

How do you feel about Rush Limbaugh?
Strongly like: 55% (45 votes)
Like: 35% (29 votes)
Dislike: 7% (6 votes)
Strongly dislike: 1% (1 vote)

Meanwhile, another host that Rush is often lumped in with takes his lumps:

How do you feel about Bill O'Reilly?
Strongly like: 9% (8 votes)
Like: 29% (24 votes)
Dislike: 50% (41 votes)
Strongly dislike: 9% (8 votes)

The fact that less than 40% of right-center-bloggers like Bill O'Reilly would probably surprise those on the left and those in the media (and the broad overlap between). For those of us on the right who pay attention, it's not unexpected.

Nihilist adds: I couldn't agree more with the Elder's point here. I've been mulling a post about how I just don't understand the appeal of Glenn Beck. It's not that I don't like him, I just don't find him interesting or entertaing. As for Sean Hannity, I quote a fairly conservative poster from NDNation's political message board whose three word critique of Hannity exactly summarizes my feelings. He calls him, "repetetive and grating."