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Talk radio voice set to visit
Crystal City By Michael
Mullaney
Corning | Conservative talk show host
Mike Gallagher will make a stop in Corning's Gaffer District
today.
Gallagher, host of the
nationally-syndicated "Mike Gallagher Show," will broadcast
live from 9 a.m. to noon today in Centerway Square. The show
will air on Wheels-820 AM.
Gallagher's visit to Corning,
co-sponsored by the Gaffer District Business Association, is
part of a nation-wide tour to promote his new book,
"Surrounded by Idiots, Fighting Liberal Lunacy in
America."
Following the show and an invite-only
luncheon with local business leaders, Gallag-her will sign
copies of his new book from 1:30-4 p.m. in Centerway Square.
Watkins Glen retailer Story-lines Book-store will be on hand,
selling copies for $24.95.
Local business owners claimed there was
no political motivation behind their sponsorship of the
event.
"When the discussion first came up (for
Gallagher's visit), it was strictly for promotional purposes,"
John Nichols, owner of Brown Bag Gifts at 72 E. Market St. and
financial chair of the Gaffer District Business Association,
said Monday. "The business community just doesn't ever want to
pass up an opportunity to get our name out there."
The Mike Gallagher Show, which airs
before The Rush Limbaugh Show, has more than 3 million weekly
listeners across the country. Gallagher, a regular contributor
to Fox News, is known for targeting "liberal loons" such as
President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Al Sharpton, Whoopi
Goldberg, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Michael
Moore and Al Franken, according to his Web site.
"Maintaining America's role as the
greatest nation in the world means we must stay the course,"
Gallagher said in his new book. "Liberal idiocy surrounds us
all. It threatens to destroy the values and lifestyles that
millions of us cherish."
Before hearing about today's event,
Corning Republican Chairman Paul Rossi said he was not
familiar with Gallagher's name or radio show. Rossi said he
would be unable to attend Gallagher's broadcast and
book-signing because of a schedule conflict.
Corning Alderman and Democratic Chair
Hilda Lando said Gallagher's visit will not have any bearing
on city politics. She sees his visit as a marketing tool for
Market Street rather than a power play by city
Republicans.
"It wasn't a political thing," she said
Monday. She thinks the live broadcast will attract a local
audience from both sides of the political spectrum.
"I think it's kind of fun to have both
parties come down and ask him questions," Lando said. "It's
always interesting to see what the 'other side' has to
say."
Republicans outnumber Democrats in the
city 2,708 to 2,060.
Local radio personality Seth Debowy,
host of the "Seth in Morning" show, will broadcast live from
6-9 a.m. and also be on hand throughout the day.
Gallagher's trek, which includes 24
cities in 28 days, began in Texas and will end next week in
Tennessee. For more information visit http://www.mikeonline.com./
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