Okay Republicans - Here's Your Chance - Don't Blow It.

I've been busy the last couple of months as the political analyst for WTSP-TV, and I've come to the conclusion the Republicans have a real chance to reverse Democratic policies they abhor. But they better be careful how they do it.

They made big gains in the U-S House and will now run it. They also reduced the Democratic dominance in the U-S Senate. Most importantly - voters sent President Barak Obama a message: Don't force your progressive ideas and policies down our throats or you will pay for it with a one-term presidency. Bottom Line: LISTEN TO US.

The Washington Post reports exit polls during the 2010 midterm elections show more voters identified themselves as conservative than they did in 2006 and 2008. There is a possible sea change taking place in American politics - or - voters are no longer afraid to say they are conservative. The likes of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck have shown them it's okay to come out of the political closest. More likely - it's the confluence of a bad economy and terrible jobs market that has led them to believe - and vote - the more liberal policies of the Democratic party will not get the job done.

Let's take a look at Florida. It was already a state where Republicans led, but voters gave the GOP even more clout in 2010. They increased the GOP advantage in the state house to a 81 to 39 margin. In the state senate, the Republicans strength grew, as well. They now have a 28 to 12 lead. These numbers give the GOP a veto-proof majority in the state legislature. But maybe the biggest news is the Republicans held on to the governor's mansion with the election of a man who has never held public office and has a very checkered business history.

Here is, however, the rub for the GOP in Florida. It's a party that has had top leadership caught in scandal and alleged criminal activity. It's charged they misued party money. So now the party in charge has to prove it can be trusted - that it can do the people's will.

So, how should the "Party in Power" accomplish this? Accept its gains with modesty. Don't believe or act like it was given a mandate.

Voters are watching. And don't forget registered Democratic voters outnumber Republican voters by more than six-hundred thousand, in Florida. If those voters believe their ideas and beliefs are being ignored, the same thing will happen to the Republicans that happened to the Democrats. Message: Don't awaken a sleeping giant through arrogance. They could pay for it for years.

The governor-elect basically promised he has a plan to create jobs and more jobs in Florida. He and Republican legislators say they have the best ideas to get that done. If they fail in that promise, they will be reduced to just remembering what was like to be at the top. It's definitely time for them "To Get To Work".

Bill Ratliff

It's Time To Put Things Into Perspective

The Tampa Bay Rays have made it into the American League playoffs for the second time. It's a big deal for a team that has only been around for 13 years. But that's not what is making news.

What's making news is the low turnout at the last two games, which both had playoff implications. The Monday night game against the Orioles had fewer than 13 thousand fans in attendance. The Tuesday night game, which the Rays won and moved into the playoffs, had fewer than 18 thousand fans show up. After the first game, talk radio was alive with calls from people who said the turnout just showed that this is not a good market for a pro baseball franchise. And one of the most popular radio talk show hosts in Tampa (Jack Harris) said this area won't have a team in 10 years, because it's not a pro baseball town. I was shocked to hear him say that because he is one of this area's biggest promoters.

This all has to be put into perspective, because I believe this a perfect place for a pro baseball franchise. But there are mitigating circumstances for the turnout problem that require patience, understanding and honesty.

First, honesty. The location of Tropicana Field is enemy number one. I understand that St. Petersburg and South Pinellas residents might disagree, but it's the truth. I will use myself as an example. I have been a Tampa Bay Bucs season ticket holder for 26 years. I live in South Tampa. It takes me a stress-free 15 minutes to drive from my home to my parking space near the stadium. To drive to the Trop to the parking lot there takes me 50 minutes to one hour. It's not fun. But there are many more issues at play here.

The economy has kicked fans right in the wallet and the unemployment rate has left tens of thousands of people reeling. They can't afford to go to games, because they don't have jobs. On top of that this area is not home to large corporations that traditionally get behind home town sport franchises. Let's take Cincinnati as an example. It's home to Proctor and Gamble and Fifth Third Bank, just to name two. They get behind the Reds by buying blocks of tickets, sponorships and advertising. And since I have brought up Cincinnati, let me take the argument another step forward.

The Rays have been in existence for 13 years. The Reds played their first game in 1869. Why is that important to point out? It takes years to develop a loyal fan base. In Cincinnati, the Reds are part of that area's fabric and culture. When I was a kid growing up in Cincinnati, if my parents wrote a note to my school stating they were taking me to Opening Day, I was given an excused half- day absence. Schools around town had the same policy, because they understood the meaning of tradition. They understood how important the team was to the community.

Another issue is the population makeup of the Bay Area. Many, many residents here are from different parts of the country and they have yet to develop a sense of loyalty to our home teams. In time, many will turn around and start calling the Rays their team. I know, because it happened to me. But it takes time and that is where patience comes into play.

The low attendance at this week's first two games has been the subject of ridicule here and around the nation. On MSNBC's Morning Joe this morning Mike Barnicle made fun of the Rays' fans, for not showing up at the games. Let us not forget they were Monday and Tuesday night games. Translation: Work nights/School nights. Couple that with the drive time to and from the Trop for many fans - it's an issue.

The bottom line is regardless what some people might have you believe this a major league city, but compared to almost all other cities with baseball teams it's a newbie, and that has to be put into perspective.

Bill Ratliff

Oh Boy-The Fun Begins!

The general election season is now in full swing and the TV commercials are hitting the air.

In Florida, there are two statewide races that will generate the most interest: There's the gubernatorial race between Republican Rick Scott and Democrat Alex Sink. Then there is the three candidate race for a U-S Florida Senate seat between Republican Marco Rubio, Democrat Kendrick Meek and Non-Party candidate Charlie Crist (now governor and former Republican).

This week the new general election TV ads hit the air. Scott went on the negative by linking Sink to some of President Obama's policies, but hasn't give specifics about what he would do differently( if you want find out you have to go to his website). Sink says she expected the tone and approach of his ad, because that's what he did in his primary campaign.

In the Senate race, Meek and Crist started airing new spots (Rubio's father died this week and his campaign may hold off for a couple of days). Meek's new spot is kind of an introduction.

He makes mention of some of the policies he supports and apparently tries to separate himself from Rubio and Crist. But he doesn't mention President Obama by name.

Crist is running a spot that says he'll take the best ideas of Republicans and Democrats and then work for "Americans" - not the parties. But he doesn't say what ideas he would offer up.

So, where are we headed, and who does Rubio go after? Crist or Meek. I'm not sure yet, but I know it's going to be fascinating.

Bill Ratliff

Call Me A Cynic - But...

The new love fest in the Florida Republican party for gubernatorial nominee Rick Scott is hard to believe.

Former Governor Jeb Bush - who supported Bill McCollum - is now saying Scott is ready to be governor. And of all things, Scott has chosen Republican state representative Jennifer Carroll to be his running mate. What's weird about that? Carroll supported McCollum during the primary campaign. Analysts and pollsters say Scott chose Carroll - who says she is a conservative - because she's a woman and she's black. They call it an obvious move on Scott's part to close the gender and race gap before the November 2nd general election.

But is it enough for the candidate who described himself as an "outsider"- and spent about 50 million dollars of his own money to get that message out - to win the hearts and minds of die-hard Republican voters? Do they really trust him - considering his bruised business background and his criticism of "career politicians" (and that includes Republicans) - to be true to the Republican cause? Some Republican officials - not a lot - have already come out in support of non-party candidate Charlie Crist.

But the issue is not about party loyalty - it's about money. After spending a ton of his own money on the primary race - Scott may not be too anxious to spend more on the big one. He's counting on lots of help from his own party. The question is - will the party stand behind him financially? Will it give him the money he needs to beat Alex Sink?

Call me a cynic - but Scott offended a lot of Republicans on his way to the primary win. Memories are long - maybe too long for a Scott win in November.

Bill Ratliff

Dipping My Toes Back Into The Water

After 14 months of retirement I'm back in the TV news business.

A couple of weeks ago I received a surprise phone call from the head news guy at WTSP 10 News, Peter Roghaar. He asked if I would be interested in being their political analyst for the 2010 election cycle. I said I would - we met- and the handshake deal was done. I'm thrilled.

A little background: When I was at WFLA-TV for 27 years, I focused my reporting on local and state politics. I was -and am- a political junkie. I learned when covering Florida politics - when you think you have figured it out, you're usually wrong. So now, when I have formed an opinion on a particular race or party I go back and re-think it. That's the approach I'll take at 10-News.

This is going to be a fascinating election cycle and I hope I can bring some clarity to it. I look forward to working with the folks at News 10. They are bright, nice and fun. If you can't have fun doing something you love - why do it?

Bill Ratliff

The Joy Of Being A Grandparent

I get it. I finally get it.

More than five and half years ago my daughter Shannon married a great guy, Josh. Right after they were married my friends would always ask me if I was ready to be a grandparent. I would loudly say "No!"

Boy, have I changed my mind. For the past 10 days, Shannon, Josh and 9 month old Declan (pronounced Deck-lyn. It's Irish) spent their vacation with us. Linda and I even had the little guy for 4 days to ourselves. All I can say is it was pure joys for us.

Friends who were already grandparents would tell me what a great experience it was, but I kept thinking it would make me feel old. I was really wrong. It actually makes you feel younger! There is nothing like a grandchild looking up at you and just smiling. It makes your heart melt.

I can't wait to have more grandkids.

Bill Ratliff

Is It Time To Get Out Of Afghanistan?

You know, as a practicing broadcast journalist for more than thirty-seven years I worked long and hard to not let anyone know my opinion about stories I covered. TV viewers didn't want to know what I thought. They just wanted the facts. That's what I did - just presented the facts.

There were many stories I felt strongly about and didn't utter an opinion, but there are stories right now that I want to say something about. Now, because of retirement, I can. The current story that weighs on my mind is the war in Afghanistan. Do we really need to be there?

If I say no, we need to get out, some, or even many people will claim I'm unpatriotic and I don't support our brave troops. But let's take a look at the facts. We went there nine years ago to clean the breeding ground of Al- Qaeda. You could say that mission is accomplished. Many experts say there are only about 50 Al- Qaeda members left in that worn-torn country. Yet more than 1000 Americans have died fighting that war and it is safe to say many more will die the longer we're there. Not to mention the billions of dollars more we'll spend.

Look, I'm a child of the Vietnam war. I was in college at the height of the war protests. I didn't get drafted because of a medical condition, but I had friends who did go to Nam' and were wounded and one was killed. I supported our troops then - as I do now. But that war effort failed, as this one is likely to fail.

Why? Simply, there is no end strategy - no real exit strategy. It's a nation of tribes - making nation building an impossibility. It's a country that doesn't really want us there.

So, why stay - why?

Bill Ratliff

Some names in the news; present and past.

I've been watching and listening to a lot of news recently about PEOPLE in the news and it made me think - no- it has made me scratch my head. Here are just a few examples:

Tiger Woods: A new poll says he is still the most popular athlete (along with Kobe Bryant) in America. Huh? Answer: Americans love winners.

Lindsay Lohan: She is now serving jail time, and yet she gets more ink and air time than anybody deserves. Answer: Americans are fascinated with losers.

Sarah Palin: She has become one of the most polarizing people in politics in recent years. Her detractors make her out to be an air head. But those who her love her say her politics are right on. There is also another reason she attracts so much attention: America loves beautiful people.

Angelina Jolie: She's a box office hit but she is not a great actress, so why is she "money in the bank" for Hollywood? Answer: Like Sarah, America loves beautiful people.

President Barak Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid: What is it they don't get? Answer: They don't listen to the people.

John Boehner: Is he really helping Republicans in Congress? Answer: No. He needs to keep his mouth shut, or at least think before he speaks.

There are a lot more people I could talk about, but there is one more I'd like to throw out there:

Pete Rose: He did a bad thing. He bet on baseball, and even the Reds, when he was the manager. He was banished from baseball and it looks like he'll never make the Hall Of Fame. Is that fair? Answer: No. He has paid his time and it's now time for the Hall Of Fame voters to recognize his accomplishment as the best hitter in baseball.

Bill Ratliff

I'LL miss him. We'll all miss him.

This will be short.

I know George Steinbrenner was a tough task master if you had to work for him. I heard the stories. They weren't pretty. But the George I knew was a different man.

Years ago I was the Master Of Ceremony at an event in Tampa. George was the featured speaker. After he spoke (I was sitting next to him), I saw him pull a checkbook out of his suit jacket and watched him write a check for twenty-five thousand dollars to the group sponsoring the event. $25,000.00!! Can you imagine?

On a personal note, a few years later, my daughter won a public speaking contest for the hearing impaired at his hotel in Ocala, Florida. He was there that day and my daughter introduce herself to him. She told him I was her dad and he said your dad is "one of the good guys".

I don't know exactly what he meant, but it meant a lot to me that he said that.

I know Tampa is going to miss him more than he ever knew.

Bill Ratliff

It Was An Interesting And Encouraging Morning

This morning (July 8th, 2010) I was a guest on the morning "Big Show" on Tampa's 820AM WWBA. It was a lot fun and very interesting. I forgot how much I enjoyed working in radio at the beginning of my career nearly three decades ago.

The reason I was there is one of the show's host, Roger Schulman (who has been on Tampa radio for nearly 40 years), asked me to join them since lead host, Mike Reeves, was on vacation. Also there were co-hosts Shayna Lance and Jo Jo Walker. All three are really nice people and solid professionals.

The morning started out with a chat about the state of local TV news, but things really started getting interesting when Shayna asked me what current events had piqued my interest. I mentioned something I had just blogged about: Republican U-S Senators voting down an extension of unemployment benefits. I said I thought it was the wrong decision.

Roger and Jo Jo agreed with me, but Shayna disagreed strongly. Her point was the U-S government would have to borrow money to extend those benefits. She says enough is enough when it comes to this country reaching out to other countries (i.e China) for a helping hand, financially. What followed was interesting and encouraging.

Phone calls from listeners started pouring in. Some agreed with me, Roger and Jo Jo. Some agreed with Shayna. But the point is the callers were all engaged in the subject and I find that very encouraging. For too long many of us have kept our thoughts and opinions to ourselves for the fear of offending others. There is a problem with that. When we don't discuss our differences we can't move forward. We can't learn from one another.

The exchange of ideas is not only good. It's healthy.

Bill Ratliff

What's Wrong With Being A Political Moderate?

I've been thinking about this for a long time. It almost seems if you are not on the far left nor the far right of the political spectrum those holding those positions think you don't have a political backbone. You are almost a traitor to the political party with which you are registered.

Why does that have to be? I don't know about you, but I don't vote a straight party line all the time. I vote for the -PERSON- the person who I believe best represents my views and values. That person may not be in my party, but I will vote for him or her because I trust them to make honest and honorable decisions. But in today's political climate that doesn't seem good enough.

The political debate has become so heated that moderate thinking and values are almost despised. It is either black or white - grey is not accepted. I think the extremes on both sides are making a mistake. They refuse to listen to those in the middle. When you stop listening you stop learning - you stop thinking.

The fact is there are always at least two sides to an argument, and it doesn't mean that one side is wrong and the other is right. It just means they disagree. But when the extremists criticize those in the middle for not agreeing with them, the extremists are the ones making the mistake - the mistake of not listening to the voices of reason and moderation.

The voices of reason and moderation. Are they going away?

Bill Ratliff

Something Doesn't Seem Right..

After the U-S House approved an extension to unemployment benefits to more than one-million American workers, Senate Republicans blocked it. Their reason: They want to know how we will pay for it. On the surface that sounds reasonable, but hold on.

Where were these Republicans when the Stimulus Bill was passed, along with the bailouts of the auto industry and Wall Street? Why was it okay to send the country into massive debt, but it's not okay to help out American workers who can't find work. It doesn't seem right.

I've heard a couple of conservative talk show hosts rail against extending benefits to the unemployed, but isn't it ironic that while they make tens of millions of dollars a year- each - they don't want the unemployed to receive several hundreds of dollars a month for a short amount of time.

I know, I know, some might say I just don't get it - we have to stop spending money we don't have. But don't we continue to send billions of dollars overseas to help the underprivileged? Then why can't we help our own until our economy recovers? It only seems right.

Bill Ratliff

When Will It End?

It happened again in Tampa today, in the dark of the early morning hours.

Not one, but two, Tampa Police officers were shot and killed. It began as a routine traffic stop, but for some reason the male passenger in the car pulled out a gun and took two young lives. Both a young 31 years old. One with four young sons. The other expecting his first child in a week. Now, those children have lost their dads forever.

Why? Why does this continue to happen? In Tampa alone, we have seen three of our officers die in the line of duty in the last year. It's senseless.

There will be those who will argue that it's our love of guns in this country that leads to this violence. (In fact, the U-S Supreme Court ruled yesterday that it is the right of everyone to have a gun in their home.) But it is not guns that kill people. It's people who kill people. That's the fundamental truth. The question is what leads so many to take the lives of others? Some will say it's fatherless upbringing - others will say it's the economy that deprives people of making a living - leading to anger and depravity. I say there has to be more to it than that.

It has to do with a basic respect for, and of, life. Where are we going wrong when we have people in our daily lives who care so little for the lives of others? What are we doing wrong? I wish I had the answer.

But I know this: When police officers are murdered, it is not just a crime against them - it is a crime against each and every one of us. It is a crime against society. When a police officer is killed, it is like a gun (or weapon) has been turned on each and every one of us.

When will it end? I wish I knew.

Bill Ratliff

It Has Been Quite A Year For Me

Today is June 25th, 2010. One year ago today I retired and ended my forty-one year broadcasting career. The last 37-years were in TV news and the last 27 of those were at WFLA-TV, in Tampa.

When I first retired, I was a little nervous about what I would do with my time. But to my surprise I realized I was totally burned out from getting to work before three a-m for years. So, for the first three months I did nothing but read novels - maybe about 20.

I did suffer a health issue soon after I retired, but the good news is I'm getting better. The better news is the last twelve months have been filled with family joy. My daughter, Shannon, and her husband, Josh, gave us our first grandchild in October. Then in January our son, Chet, married a wonderful young lady, Angie. Our family has expanded and it's great. Now, if I could just get all five of them to live next door to us.

Having this last full year off has given me a lot of time to think about my life and the one word that keeps cropping up is "grateful." Grateful for my wife, Linda, who has been my rock for more than 35-years. Grateful for my two wonderful children and how their lives have turned out. Grateful for a long and successful career, and grateful for all the friends who we have in our lives.

To all of you who are nearing retirement, I think you will enjoy it. It gives you a chance to exhale and relax. One friend (who retired early) told me a few weeks before I retired: "don't be afraid ". He was right.

Bill Ratliff

I Agree With Stu

If professional baseball - a.k.a. the Tampa Bay Rays - is going to survive in the Bay Area the team is going to have to move out of St. Petersburg. Owner Stuart Sternberg has laid down the gauntlet and I agree with him.

I know this opinion will not make my friends in St. Petersburg and Pinellas County happy, but the attendance records speak for themselves. As they say, the truth hurts, and ownership of this team cannot sustain itself if attendance remains the way it has over years.

We have a great team doing exciting things and only when the Yankees or Red Sox come to town do the attendance numbers soar. There are other teams in smaller markets that draw better than the Rays.

The problem is The Trop's location. It's just not convenient for folks in northern population areas to make the trip. I know some say it's the stadium that's the problem - poor design, etc. But it is air conditioned and that is a big plus. The real issue is, however, location, location, location. For people who don't live in St. Petersburg or south and central Pinellas, it is a pain to get there and get home.

What's the best location? My personal opinion is either Westshore or Channelside in Tampa. But even Toytown in Pinellas would be better than where the Trop is located.

Just think of this: The saying "build it and they will come" did not work for the Rays. But if you said "build it where it's easy to get to" then they will really come.

Bill Ratliff

Local TV Legacy Is Over - But Should It Be?

In my last blog, I talked about the sameness of local TV news. Local stations just don't separate themselves in content coverage and marketing. But there is another thing that is happening that I believe will also hurt them in the long run: the jettesing of so-called Legacy Anchors.

Legacy Anchors are those anchors who have been holding down the fort at their stations for twenty years or more. They have built a connection with their viewers over the years that only

time can create. But those anchors are now being tossed aside in the interest of a station's bottom line.

The problem is it's only a short-term solution to a financial problem that will surely correct itself in time. So, all those years stations spent thousands -maybe hundreds of thousands of dollars- promoting their frontline talent are being thrown out the door. It's like throwing the baby out with the bath water. What's really happening?

It's true, since the end of 2006 revenues at local TV stations have gone into the tank, but there is more to this than meets the eye. In the early 2000's, consultants began telling TV General Managers that research showed the content of their newscasts was proving to be more important than the people who deliver the news. GM's jumped on that. They saw it as an opportunity to shave costs - without any regard to to the long term ramifications. They are now seeing the impact of their financial axes. Stations - that had Legacy Anchors - that used to have top-rated newscasts are now looking at ratings that show they are number three, four or even worse.

People who watch local TV news - even casual viewers- usually choose their favorite newcasts based on those who bring them the news. It's a personal relationship between viewer and anchor(anchors). Like a strong marriage, it takes years to develop a relationship like that, but we all know financial pressure can ruin the best of marriages. That's what is happening now.

I have two good friends who are on the "talent" end of the business. One is in placement and the other is in coaching. They both say TV managers are making a mistake by ridding themselves of their Legacy Anchors. One says it costs too much money to create NEW legacies and the other says talent IS content. What they are both saying is that unloading highly-paid long term anchors may be a short term answer to a nagging revenue problem, but it will probably cost them more in the long run.

Bill Ratliff

The Sameness Of Local TV News

During the thirty-seven years I was in local TV news, I used to bristle at the criticism that it was overwhelmingly shallow and basically banal. I hated those people who would tell me they only watched PBS, and then proceed to tell me what they didn't like about what I reported the night before. But after being retired from the business for a year - and watching a lot of local TV news - I have to admit there is something lacking.

It goes beyond an overabundance of crime and fire coverage - which there is - it's a lack of investigative reporting and what I call "think" pieces. Those are the kind of stories that make people think about how their communities and lives would be better -or worse- if certain things would be done or eliminated.

But there is another problem facing local TV news operations that goes beyond content coverage alone. There is really no effort by TV stations in one single market to separate themselves from their competition. They are just not good at it. They all look the same. They all cover the same stories. To make it worse they market themselves the same way as other stations around the country -e.g.- "On Your Side", "Action News", etc. You could be in Tampa, Salt Lake City or Cincinnati and you'll see the same marketing approach. Why? Blame consultants. I'll have more on that in another blog.

The other problem is the financial woes TV stations have been dealing with since 2006, but that is starting to turn the corner. The question is will they have the commitment to hire the people they need to serve the communities that really depend on them.

Bill Ratliff

Back To The Blogging World

Hi folks. You don't know me, but I used to blog for the TV station I worked for before I retired a year ago. My family has been urging me to get back into it, so I'm taking the jump.

When you retire you have a lot more time to think about the world around you than when you're working, and boy has a lot taken place in the last 12 months. First, you need to know that I was in broadcasting for forty-one years - the last 37 years were in TV news. It's fair to say I'm a news junkie - politics are my passion.

It's hard to describe what we have all seen on the American political scene this last year, but I think you can say it has been earth shaking. Then again, maybe it hasn't been. The volume is just louder. The question is... does anybody listen to what the other person is saying? Are we really making progress in this country and what kind of country will we have in five, 10, or 20 years from now? I really don't think anyone has the answer. But I know this - unless we can at least agree on how we talk to each other - nothing will go forward. I have always told my kids "it's not what you say, but how you say it". I think that is a key to calming the waters right now.

So, as I go forward with this blog I will be pointing out what I see as examples of the absurdity of some of the things taking place right now. You may not agree, but that's okay. Let's just not scream at one another.

Bill Ratliff