Democrats Do Christian Radio

If you drive across the country listening to Christian radio, you’ll probably notice two things in common on most of the stations you tune into. First, your announcers will all be named “Brandon and Becky” or something sweet like that and will be presenting uplifting radio that is safe “for the little ears.” And second, you’ll be hearing positive Democratic campaign ads.

I emphasize “positive” because, as Republican Deborah Pryce from OH learned the hard way, if you insist on running negative attack ads on family-friendly radio, those announcers who seem such peaceful doves can turn into some pretty wily serpents! Much to Pryce’s chagrin, anyone listening to her Christian radio attack ads would have first heard the announcer inform viewers that the FCC requires that their station allow candidates to buy ad time and does not allow them to edit content. He would go on to explain that, sadly, this means that what listeners are about to hear breaks the station’s family-friendly promise and may not be safe for the little ears. Then, “Hi, I’m Representative Debora Pryce, and I approved this ad…” It’s amazing her campaign let those ads run as long as they did!

But I digress… On many Christian radio stations these days, you’ll be hearing a family-friendly radio address from Democratic candidates and progressive 501(c)4s. The ads take many forms depending on what is authentic for the candidate. Some talk openly about their faith. Others focus on issues and the need to seek the common good. Others talk about why candidates are Democrats and what that means to them. But whether these ads are running in the mountains of North Carolina, the snow-covered fields of Minnesota, the valleys of Ohio, or the coast of Oregon, they are all really saying the same thing to Christian voters: Democrats care about what you think and believe our Party is place you can call home. Hallelujah!