Mildred Gaddis' show is losing steam fast

[swingline]

Ms. Gaddis' was on the cusp of gaining national attention for her show and her opinion-making in early 2009. Then she made a huge miscalculation. She aligned herself with Monica Conyers and very loudly and publicly opposed the Cobo Center regional authority legislation. Folks will probably recall that the legislation had been passed in Lansing and was going to take effect unless the City Council voted to reject it by a certain date. Ms. Gaddis hopped onboard Ms. Conyers' horribly divisive eleventh hour campaign to reject the legislation. The two of them adopted the "outsiders are stealing our jewels" argument to stir up the same folks who are satisfied with the status quo at the Detroit Public Schools. They outrageously claimed that these outsiders were attempting to steal a billion dollar asset from poor Detroiters, disregarding the plain truth that when it comes to the City budget, Cobo Center's expenses far exceed its revenues.

Ms. Gaddis alienated a large percentage of her listenership when she took this position. She also angered a lot of leaders both here and in Lansing. It was a very bad mistake to uncritically adopt Ms. Conyers' position. Not only could her informed viewers perceive the fallacy in her position on the Cobo Center legislation, Ms. Gaddis was also suggesting to them that she was a supporter of a politician whose popularity was sliding very fast due to her erratic behavior and ugly, racist statements. It's really inexplicable that Ms. Gaddis chose that path. Opposing a transfer of Cobo Center and playing the race card to do it was just meritless. Her career has taken a hit.

[daddeeo]

Once you stop being objective, you've jumped the fence. You're in all the way.
Either you'll be successful or drop like a rock in the ratings.

[FoxyScholar10]

Once you stop being objective, you've jumped the fence. You're in all the way.
Either you'll be successful or drop like a rock in the ratings.

Actually, there's no such thing as objectivity in the media [[or anywhere, for that matter). However, our biases and lack of attention to fair and balanced reporting shouldn't be so blatant.

Mildred has been a pundit [[commentator) in this metro area for many years [[highlighted by the KK scandal. She rode that wave for as long as it held up and it's still not over yet) and she has done rather well considering the mix of this area's pundits overall. Either you're getting SOME frustrated White males even more resentful of what's going on, or illiterate, hoodrat-ish discourse limited to gangsta hip hop, being held down by "the man", or baby daddy/mama drama. Neither of these options appeal to me.

Unfortunately, I think swingline has a point [[not saying that it's unfortunate that swingline has a point but that it's unfortunate that his point is "on point). I think Mildred dipped a bit too deep into the politics of the Cobo Center deal and then on top of that, she may not have been on the right side of that argument.

I listen in occasionally when there's an interesting guest or when KK-related fodder has resurfaced--mainly for the comedy.

I wonder if radio is going the way that print newspapers have been going in recent years: there's simply more options and opportunities to get [[tailored) news and information.

[[Kanye shrug)

[ct4life]

Once you stop being objective, you've jumped the fence. You're in all the way.
Either you'll be successful or drop like a rock in the ratings.

Actually, I've never had a big issue with Mildred's objectivity, or lack thereof. Having a certain point of view is what makes a radio talk show interesting. For instance, on the whole KK scandal, she was totally on the right side of the issue, and didn't pretend to be unbiased.

My problem is that she's antagonized so many people, including those who used to appear on her show [[when's the last time you heard Gary Brown or Robert Bobb on her show, and they used to appear frequently?).

On the other hand, while I think he's a total corporate, name-dropping, right-leaning butt-kisser, Paul W. Smith on WJR at least has no trouble securing guests from all over the local community and across the political spectrum.

Unfortunately, I think Mildred's best days are behind her.

[rondinjp]

Ms. Gaddis' was on the cusp of gaining national attention for her show and her opinion-making in early 2009. Then she made a huge miscalculation. She aligned herself with Monica Conyers and very loudly and publicly opposed the Cobo Center regional authority legislation. Folks will probably recall that the legislation had been passed in Lansing and was going to take effect unless the City Council voted to reject it by a certain date. Ms. Gaddis hopped onboard Ms. Conyers' horribly divisive eleventh hour campaign to reject the legislation. The two of them adopted the "outsiders are stealing our jewels" argument to stir up the same folks who are satisfied with the status quo at the Detroit Public Schools. They outrageously claimed that these outsiders were attempting to steal a billion dollar asset from poor Detroiters, disregarding the plain truth that when it comes to the City budget, Cobo Center's expenses far exceed its revenues.

Ms. Gaddis alienated a large percentage of her listenership when she took this position. She also angered a lot of leaders both here and in Lansing. It was a very bad mistake to uncritically adopt Ms. Conyers' position. Not only could her informed viewers perceive the fallacy in her position on the Cobo Center legislation, Ms. Gaddis was also suggesting to them that she was a supporter of a politician whose popularity was sliding very fast due to her erratic behavior and ugly, racist statements. It's really inexplicable that Ms. Gaddis chose that path. Opposing a transfer of Cobo Center and playing the race card to do it was just meritless. Her career has taken a hit.

This was one of the main reasons I stopped listening, I couldn't stomach the fact that Mildred was playing the race baiting card on an issue that should have been a non-issue. Also, ever since it seems that most of the callers are completely moronic.

[Zacha341]

I am a talk-radio listener for over 30+ years and the babble that emits from some of her callers is just too much. And sometimes she was just simply on the wrong side of too many crucial issues related to the city, politically and socially speaking.

This was one of the main reasons I stopped listening, I couldn't stomach the fact that Mildred was playing the race baiting card on an issue that should have been a non-issue. Also, ever since it seems that most of the callers are completely moronic.