Arctic Power taps Liddy to spread ANWR message |
Anchorage Daily News (subscription) - Anchorage, AK, USA - Arctic Power, the state-funded group that lobbies for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, is paying to bring Watergate conspirator and talk radio host G. Gordon Liddy to broadcast live from Alaska.
The plan is for Liddy to broadcast from Alaska for five days in mid-July. Arctic Power spokesman Adrian Herrera said Liddy's listeners are mostly blue collar and middle-aged.
"That sort of demographic is very good. Those are voters. Those are people who will call their congressman and say, 'Hey look, I heard on Gordon Liddy the real truth about Alaska. And I think this is important and I think you should support Alaskan issues,' " Herrera said.
Talkers magazine, considered the authority on talk radio ratings, says an average of more than 1.5 million listeners tune in to Liddy's conservative radio talk show every week.
But Juneau Democratic state Sen. Kim Elton said bringing up Liddy sounds like a "sick joke."
"I think it's terrible. If Alaska wants to put the best face on things it's probably best to not hire felons," Elton said.
Liddy masterminded the 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate building in Washington, D.C. The ensuing cover-up led to President Richard Nixon's resignation and Liddy served 4 1/2 years in prison.
Arctic Power co-chair Mike Navarre said most of the people who listen to Liddy's show nowadays probably don't even know the details of Watergate. He said bringing Liddy to Alaska is a cost-effective way to get the state's message out.
Arctic Power is looking for corporate sponsors to offset its costs in bringing Liddy, whose radio fans call him "G-man," and his crew to Alaska. The cost depends on how much in-kind help it gets -- like free hotels and rental cars -- but might be in the neighborhood of $50,000, Herrera said.
The plan is to fly Liddy up a few days before live broadcasts in Anchorage and on the North Slope. Arctic Power will bring him to Prudhoe Bay and probably Barrow and Kaktovik, Herrera said. He might also visit the Red Dog Mine outside Kotzebue.
It's about promoting Alaska energy and not just ANWR drilling, Herrera said.
Herrera said a 30-second ad on national radio or television would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is a chance for Alaskans to be on the show and take live questions.
"We'll be getting three hours a day; you can't ask for more than that," he said.
The plan is for Liddy to broadcast from Alaska for five days in mid-July. Arctic Power spokesman Adrian Herrera said Liddy's listeners are mostly blue collar and middle-aged.
"That sort of demographic is very good. Those are voters. Those are people who will call their congressman and say, 'Hey look, I heard on Gordon Liddy the real truth about Alaska. And I think this is important and I think you should support Alaskan issues,' " Herrera said.
Talkers magazine, considered the authority on talk radio ratings, says an average of more than 1.5 million listeners tune in to Liddy's conservative radio talk show every week.
But Juneau Democratic state Sen. Kim Elton said bringing up Liddy sounds like a "sick joke."
"I think it's terrible. If Alaska wants to put the best face on things it's probably best to not hire felons," Elton said.
Liddy masterminded the 1972 break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate building in Washington, D.C. The ensuing cover-up led to President Richard Nixon's resignation and Liddy served 4 1/2 years in prison.
Arctic Power co-chair Mike Navarre said most of the people who listen to Liddy's show nowadays probably don't even know the details of Watergate. He said bringing Liddy to Alaska is a cost-effective way to get the state's message out.
Arctic Power is looking for corporate sponsors to offset its costs in bringing Liddy, whose radio fans call him "G-man," and his crew to Alaska. The cost depends on how much in-kind help it gets -- like free hotels and rental cars -- but might be in the neighborhood of $50,000, Herrera said.
The plan is to fly Liddy up a few days before live broadcasts in Anchorage and on the North Slope. Arctic Power will bring him to Prudhoe Bay and probably Barrow and Kaktovik, Herrera said. He might also visit the Red Dog Mine outside Kotzebue.
It's about promoting Alaska energy and not just ANWR drilling, Herrera said.
Herrera said a 30-second ad on national radio or television would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is a chance for Alaskans to be on the show and take live questions.
"We'll be getting three hours a day; you can't ask for more than that," he said.
Categories : Radio Personalities, Talk Show Hosts, Celebrity News
Posted 4/19/2008 12:04:58 PM | Permalink
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