Centerfield

Draft Andrew -- A Campaign Begins

We moderates have to admit that we are currently losing the political struggle in this country. We have less of everything -- activists, candidates, PACs, pundits, think tanks, media outlets, etc.

We have some of each of these things, but less than either the right or left. There's a lot of room for improvement, to put it charitably.

Let's take a brief look at just one piece of this overall picture of centrist underachievement.

One thing that continually energizes the right and left are the presence of prominent figures in the media who offer some kind of ongoing entertainment centered on their political views.

Thus, the right has Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, and Dr. Laura. The left has Bill Moyers, Jon Stewart, Al Franken, Michael Moore, and Harry Shearer.

These guys take politics into the entertainment realm -- making it palatable, at a minimum, to a core audience of receptive viewers/listeners, and probably exposing millions of other casual listeners as well.

In sheer volume, it probably dwarfs just about any other form of political communication. Millions of people tune in every day -- partly because they find it entertaining, and partly because they become self-identified with the movement represented by the show's host.

It would be totally natural, based purely on the available material, for an especially funny, talented centrist to join these ranks. He or she would be unique in the ability to make fun of both sides. And both sides do so many things worthy of mirthy comic deconstruction -- a truly bottomless well of material.

It's inherently more credible, I would argue, to poke fun at both sides than it is to aim your fire in one consistent direction.

The question is who? And how? How do you get someone the opportunity to emerge as a some sort of politically-oriented media figure?

I suspect the who part should focus on a certain young man who's become the most outrageous, screamingly-funny blogger on the Internet. His name is Andrew Northrup, and his blog is called The Poor Man.

I've personally had more laugh-out-loud, uncontrollable, spit-your-coffee-on-the-computer-screen moments while reading Andrew's blog than anywhere else. I challenge you to find a funnier blog. And he's consistent, too. It's not like he hit a groove a month or two ago and then rode it for a while. The guy has a wild, wicked, relentless imagination.

Perhaps a guy like Andrew -- successful in one medium, with a comfy cult following -- would be less receptive to any attempt to push him out there in other mediums he may find less natural.

Maybe. But take a moment to consider what Harry Shearer does with his radio program Le Show. It's an hour a week. Pre-recorded. And half of it's made up of his personal musical selections.

You don't have to find yourself in front of a mike speaking to a live audience to try this. It's not that scary. Really.

So that's the question. Would Andrew be willing to put something together and give it a whirl? And how would you go about arranging that kind of opportunity for him?

Thoughts or suggestions are welcome.