Right-Wing Water Carriers All Wet All Week

The area's righty radio talkers on the two largest AM stations in southeastern Wisconsin were busy last week doing their partisan best for their Republican favorites with either free air time or attacks on Democrats that had no basis in fact.

We had Jeff Wagner on AM 620 WTMJ stating - -  erroneously - - that the Mayor controls the MATC Board. The goal was to blame Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, the Democratic candidate for Governor, for controversial, taxpayer-paid salaries for Milwaukee Area Technical College teachers. The MATC board is chosen by a group of area school district officials, according to state law.

We had Vikki McKenna on AM 1130 WISN - - erroneously - - accusing President Obama of lying about something he never said. The goal was to undermine the President by challenging his religious faith. Soon thereafter, she gave Scott Walker 20 minutes to brag about his campaign and attack Barrett.

We had Mark Belling also on AM 1130 WISN accusing US Senator Russ Feingold - - erroneously - - of faking an appearance in a TV commercial. The goal was to help GOP challenger Ron Johnson by undermining Feingold's integrity. After 48 hours, Belling issued a non-apology apology further mocking Feingold.

Such is the one-sided, one-party nature of area conservative AM talk radio programs - - amped up and feeding the anger during election cycles, and supplemented early morning to late-and overnight by national right-wing hosts - - that are carried by stations across the state.

Mark Belling even fills in on occasion for Rush Limbaugh, closing the loop.