Ingraham brings talk show to town

When Matt Kelly of Papillion listened to his favorite radio celebrity Thursday morning, something was a little different.

He knew it wouldn't be his only Laura Ingraham fix that day. In just a few hours he'd be shaking the conservative pundit's hand and posing for pictures.

Kelly, a 21-year-old University of Nebraska-Lincoln student, was among 100 or so people who won the chance for a VIP meet and greet with Ingraham, who did her nationally syndicated radio show Thursday from the midtown Omaha studios of KKAR-AM. She was here on a cross-country tour promoting her new book.

After listening to Ingraham's broadcast on some of her favorite subjects — the president's shortcomings, misguided liberals and her rock-solid support for the tough new Arizona immigration law — the VIP guests started arriving, and more than 250 people lined Dodge Street for a chance to meet her. Some were as young as 8. Some were college students stopping in between classes. Some were silver-haired, khaki-wearing grandpas.

But mostly they were starry-eyed middle-age men and women who couldn't believe they might meet one of the nation's top-10 radio talk show hosts, a cheeky, petite blonde who averages more than 6.25 million listeners each week.

Ingraham signed copies of “The Obama Diaries,” a parody book released nearly three weeks ago. It's already No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list in the politics and government category.

In the book, the 46-year-old Ingraham takes shots at what she calls the cynical “razzle-dazzle” marketing of Obama's agenda, and the first lady's gardening and anti-obesity initiative, among other topics. The book consists of fake diary entries “written” by the president, his family and high-ranking administration officials.

In her own words, it's a “new interpretive tool that helps people view the Obamas for what they really are.”

Chris Kelly, a writer for “Real Time with Bill Maher,” isn't laughing.

In a recent column for the Huffington Post, he wrote: “Laura Ingraham is a highly successful political pundit, radio host, author and public speaker, but she's never said anything funny in her life. I'm not saying that as a knock. She also hasn't free-styled a rap or yodeled or done birdcalls. It's simply not part of her act, which is to be a horribly angry hurt unpleasant person.”

Her fans put no stock in such reviews.

They snaked around the radio station building and into a parking lot. The luckier VIP fans were escorted to another set of doors.

Those devotees won tickets to a question-and-answer session by calling the radio station every time Ingraham said “Let's go to Omaha” during recent broadcasts. Nearly 100 winners filled a basement conference room, clutching the “Obama Diaries” books, T-shirts and bumper stickers they purchased that day.

Kelly set his phone on speed dial to win a seat at the private meet and greet. Once he won, he started to prepare.

He thought of questions he'd ask if he got the opportunity. He skimmed her new book. He discussed her visit with friends. He came up with this: “As a college student, what advice would you give to me in surviving on a liberal campus?”

He didn't get to ask the question, but Ben Post of Harlan, Iowa, overheard him talking about it.

“Really?” Post asked.

An entertaining discussion ensued.

“I'm amused with college friends,” Kelly explained. “I have a few who are left-wing. ... And, well, I have to be careful with who I associate myself because it's sometimes difficult to have an intelligent conversation.”

Post, 62, launched into why he adores Ingraham.

“I love her political ideology,” he said. “I have talk radio on all day.”

A tiny voice chimed in.

“She stands up for America,” said Eli Jones, a 9-year-old Council Bluffs boy.

Eli, a soon-to-be fourth-grader at Lewis Central Elementary School, won a ticket to meet the radio host after calling in from his weekly karate practice.

Dad Rory Jones listens to Ingraham before work. So Eli learns about politics in the car and gets an opportunity to talk over issues with Dad. They discuss immigration policies, health care, former presidents and history.

“It's just broadening his exposure to politics at an early age,” said Jones, a teacher.

His jaw dropped when his son won.

“I told him he would never win, but he could go ahead and try calling,” Jones said. “He's heard her so much, he wanted to meet her. He was by the radio whenever he could be.”

Eli tried to win his dad a ticket, but he couldn't. As it turns out, Eli was invited to a party at the Amazing Pizza Machine on the same day Ingraham was coming to town.

He chose Ingraham.

When Thursday rolled around, Eli jumped out of bed ready for the event. A station employee escorted him to the radio conference room while Eli's nervous dad waited in the lobby.

“I was hoping he wouldn't say something that would have me running for cover,” Jones said.

When Eli returned to his father, he was beyond excited.

“It was awesome, Dad,” Eli said. “I got to meet her. She signed my book and asked me how old I was.”

Eli plans to keep his book and a snapshot with Ingraham in his bedroom.

It's something for show and tell this fall.

Contact the writer:

444-1075, j.loza@owh.com

« Living

Share