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Election uncertainty brings out vocal views Talk shows dominated by political outbursts By Dani Dodge The air of uncertainty hanging over the presidential election is heating up local radio talk shows, and hosts are hearing even more about the candidates now than they did before Nov. 7. "The whole process has been historic and strange and people want to get their two cents in," said Rosemary Harrington, co-anchor of KCMX�s "Morning Express" (880 AM). "We�ve had more new callers than ever before. Absolutely." And so they call. And talk. And talk. And talk. And it�s not just on the Medford-based conservative program hosted by Harrington and her husband Garth that people are griping about the election. There�s also plenty of angst in across the county in Ashland, where former county commissioner Jeff Golden is host of Jefferson Public Radio�s more liberal show, "The Jefferson Exchange" (1230 AM in Jackson County and 930 AM in Josephine County). "Last week was almost nothing but election," said Golden. "All Florida all the time. People are extraordinarily revved up." And both shows are hearing more polarization than they�ve ever heard in the past. "It seems that callers I find thoughtful and broadminded on most issues feel pretty absolutely that the other guys are trying to steal the election," Golden said of his diverse audience. Rosemary Harrington said her audience, which probably favors Bush by about 99 to 1, is getting extreme. "Our nice law-abiding conservative audience feel violent about this," Harrington said. "They say I want to do something physical � we�ve never heard that before. Rationality has gone out the door and we are talking pure emotion. People want to get out their sticks and fire torches." On Jefferson Public Radio, Golden sparred with a Grants Pass man over the cause and result of the "Republican Riot" on Wednesday, when Republicans pounded on doors after Miami-Dade County ballot counters moved their ballot counting location. "In what country does a group of people yelling and pounding on doors and screaming determine the next president?" Golden asked. Lee, a Grants Pass man, called in and defended Republicans, saying the so-called riot only occurred because Miami-Dade officials were trying to do their work without adequate Republican oversight. Then, Lee threw in the zinger: "President George W. Bush. Get used to it." At KCMX the lines were beeped constantly with people peeved about the election. Listeners railed against Gore and his attorneys. They blamed Bill Clinton for the election debacle. They called for Gore�s concession speech. "I don�t know how the American people can allow Gore to keep going," said one exasperated male caller. Garth Harrington said the process has given everyone something to be angry about. "There�s no question we�ve cast our ballots, but the question is have they been counted," he said. "No one seems satisfied they�ve been counted adequately. Even the Republicans feel there�s been some marginal counting techniques used. "And because it�s so bloody close everyone is forced to pay attention." None of the radio hosts thought the political talk would be slowing down soon. "I think we�ve got a week at least that will be kept at a slow boil because of the nasty things that people are saying about each other," Golden said. "That will aggravate people enough to fill my show." And then, it may last another four years. "Like everyone else," Golden said. "I�m having trouble seeing how anyone gets to govern when this is over." Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.