Why was a Ron Paul ad on Air America the other night?

[shenmue]

I was driving to work around 9:30, and a Ron Paul ad came on Air America on XM Radio (channel 167). You may have heard it. It's the one where the voice goes through a list of things the Republican candidates have done and says they're really like liberals. ("Nation-building overseas...wasn't that Bill Clinton's policy?" or thereabouts. Total crap.) Then it says that Ron Paul is the only real conservative in the race.

WTF?! A Republican ad, and "a real conservative" one at that? Was it forced on them by XM, or did their heads just fall off? WTF is Air America doing airing campaign ads for Republicans?

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. They play it all the time

They also have ads for right wing XM stations. When I had Sirius, they had ads on their Air America station for Sirius Right.

I know, I don't get it either. I can't imagine that many Air America listeners are going to vote for Ron Paul or listen to right wing shows.

[Kucinich4America]

7. This ad is from AAR, not XM

My local AAR affiliate has aired the same ad. And some sort of PSA featuring the Chimp himself. I don't want to hear either of them on my "liberal" talk radio station.

[LSparkle]

2. I wonder how ads work on XM -- do they buy individual channels

or ads across the entire system? Could be XM's call, not AA's.

[Kucinich4America]

8. XM generally runs the same ads on all of their channels

But their ads are only in house. Advertising other XM programming. So you will hear the occasional ad for the FAUX Noise radio channel, and other shit that you would rather not hear. But the Ron Paul ad is coming from AAR, not XM. Talk to Mark Green about it.

[KharmaTrain]

21. Various Packages

You can buy bulk...like the Orek vaccuum guy that gets your ad rotated on lots of channels at all hours (this is a large share of their ads)...by buying huge volume the costs are real low. Next is buying a specific format or demographic...that's a little more specific and a little more expensive. Then comes those who want to buy only drive times...that's a third level...and finally there are specific ads placed on specific channels.

[TwilightGardener]

3. Because he knows where a big chunk of his potential supporters are.

[liberalnurse]

4. Easy Money!

No shame in paying the bills.

[tech3149]

5. My advice, don't get your panties in a wad

It's like the Glenn Beck ads. It's a waste of money since it won't influence any thinking person. On the upside, if they want to waste their money supporting the opposition, I won't complain. You've got to remember that AAR and Jones are commercial entities. They have to make money to stay alive. Rather than getting PO'd, it might be more appropriate to just laugh and say "Thanks you freakin idiot".

[AlCzervik]

6. monies, AA needz it.

[tech3149]

13. You've got that right

It looks like a few markets that dumped AAR are going to switch back. I see that as a hopeful sign, but I think they have to change their business model. Right now pretty much all of the affiliates are leased air time. If the owners of the stations decide they don't like the content, they can dump it without cause. If some organization with a specific agenda has the money to buy a station and support it while it loses money, that shuts down a channel of communication. If you aren't aware, there are at least half a dozen stations that were either bought out or flipped format in the last year.
What AAR and Jones have to do is buy the hardware that delivers the signal. There's plenty of great content out there, it's just a matter of getting past the gatekeepers of ownership.

[HughMoran]

9. He's playing ads on my liberal oriented music station too

He's all over the place trying to scoop up anti-war liberals to vote for him. Doesn't surprise me that he would place ads that he knew would play on AAR.

[onehandle]

10. There are a lot of confused liberals who think he's a top pick for them.

They need to do about ten seconds worth of research.

[Rex]

11. Evidently Ron Paul is becoming a viable candidate.

Who could have guessed?

[mdmc]

12. he has some money now my friend

He is getting the word out to the anti war crowd.

[bklyncowgirl]

19. They once asked Willie Sutton why he robbed banks--he said because that's where the money is.

Ron Paul is trolling for people who are opposed to the Iraq war and U.S. imperialism in general. Where on your radio dial are you going to find them? Air America of course.

Why is Air America airing his ads? Because he's got the money and politics aside they're not in business for their health.

[mdmc]

23. Correct you are my friend

I guess he can't buy underwriting on NPR, right? :)

[AmanAplan]

14. It's all about the money

Does it really matter if one sells one's soul for money if the goal is just?

[Stardust]

15. Probably not...Welcome to DU!

[AmanAplan]

17. thanks!

Reading without writing is not an option anymore.

[XOKCowboy]

16. He's getting more for his ad buck than Glen Beck is..

who also has ads on AAR.

[Hekate]

18. Ummmm -- he paid for it in cash?

:shrug:

Hekate

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

20. He is the only real CONSERVATIVE

read: believes in conservative government.

[KharmaTrain]

22. Trolling For Suckers

We see them here on DU...people who hear Paul's anti-war message but have no clue about anything else about him. Looks like Paul's people are hoping to catch a few naive ears that way. Hopefully the money is good...the check doesn't bounce and AAR gets some money it desperately needs.

[mdmc]

24. that explains it

:kick: