Liberal talk radio host Bill Press has an op-ed in the Washington Post arguing in favor of reinsituting the Fairness Doctrine, obdurately oblivious to the fact that this would amount to subsidized job security for liberal talk radio hosts such as Bill Press. Rather than admit that there just isn’t much of a market for progessive talk radio, Press argues that “there is no free market in talk radio today, only an exclusive, tightly held, conservative media conspiracy.” His proof:

Station owners complain they can’t get good ratings or make any money with progressive talk, but that’s nonsense. In Minnesota, independent owner Janet Robert has operated KTNF (950 AM) profitably for five years. In Madison, Wis., WXXM, 92.1 FM, just scored its highest ratings ever. And KPOJ in Portland, Ore., soared with progressive talk from No. 23 in market ratings to No. 1. Nationwide, progressive talkers Randi Rhodes, Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller have proven that, given a level playing field, they can more than hold their own in ratings — and make money for their stations.

Let me get this straight — Press’ evidence that liberal talk radio is profitable is that it does well in the freakin’ People’s Republic of Madison, Wisconsin? Or Minneapolis and Portland for that matter? Just because it does o.k. in three of the country’s most liberal enclaves hardly means it will be profitable everywhere else; nevermind that this runs completely counter to the idea that these stations succeed because the playing field is level in their particular markets. It’s exactly the opposite — progressive talk radio suceeds in Madison, Wisconsin because it’s preaching to the choir.