Some day, business students will study the failure of the Air America
network.

Though so many reasons can be explored, it's my opinion that the primary
reason for the network's eventual fall has to do with its attempt to start
out on top.

You can't simply target Rush on a national scale and expect to beat him.
Rush is a consummate radio broadcasting professional who started at the very
bottom and worked his way to the very top. He didn't start out trying to
force his political opinion on any one. He took his top 40 superjock persona
into the talk radio segment, and people enjoyed the product. Through hard
work and perseverance, his show grew exponentially. He's not a conservative
who happens to be a radio entertainer. He's a radio entertainer who happens
to be a conservative. So could liberal talk radio succeed? Of course. Howard
Stern and Don Imus are two fine examples who come to mind.

Radio is not an easy medium to conquer. It's not simply TV without pictures.
To really succeed in radio requires one to start at the bottom, listen to
radio every waking hour, find mentors to help you develop your personal
style, and prepare to work very hard for very little money. You'll probably
go through a couple of spouses pretty quickly.

Some day, there will be someone who beats Rush. But I don't think it will
come from an organization like Air America. Instead, I think it will come
from an individual who is in love with radio and can't stand being #2.