In my talk radio days from the mid 90’s till around 2014, before I went on the air, I would sometimes ask myself, “What am I going to be outraged about today?”

I knew that if I found an extreme story about a person or group doing something outlandish, I could make it into a bigger issue than it was and get the phone lines buzzing. It would make for good talk radio and get me through the show.

I never made up an opinion or lied about how I felt about the story, but I often blew it out of proportion for the benefit of the show.

For instance, if I found one PETA person who wanted to pass a law to allow their dog to vote, I would make it sound as if that was something all liberals were trying to do. I would make it sound as if it were a widespread movement, even though it was just one person and a few of their friends who had some mental issues.

The phone lines would be jammed with people just as angry about whatever topic I was so outraged about. I thought it was all in good fun, and it was good for ratings.

I wasn’t the only talk radio host doing that. In fact, when I went to talk radio conventions, there would be breakout sections dealing with what were the best ways to get things buzzing. Many are still following that formula today.

I thought what I was doing was harmless fun because I felt that the adults were in charge. Well, Donald Trump saw how well taking extreme views worked for talk radio ratings, and he took the same technique all the way to the White House.

And now the Democrats are seeing how well that’s worked and are using that same technique.

In last Tuesday’s elections, Democratic Socialists beat out the more traditional Democrats to get on November’s ballot, setting up a battle between them and the MAGA Republicans. And just like the Republicans, they have left more moderate candidates stranded by the side of the road.

Here at home, Denise Powell beat out a traditional Democrat with a solid blue pedigree. And she won based on a gazillion ads where she reinforced the fact that she was really pissed off.

Recently, I had coffee with Ms. Powell. I had never met her before, and I found her to be a friendly, charming, strong woman who is dedicated to making things better. She seemed more focused than pissed off. But focused doesn’t win primaries. Pissed off does.

I mentioned to her that I was frustrated with her ads because I was more concerned about who would be Speaker of the House than about losing the Second District’s Blue Dot. I felt that John Cavanaugh had a better chance of winning the general election based on his name recognition and political experience.

But after meeting Ms. Powell, I think she has a good shot at beating Brinker Harding.

But it’s not going to be easy. Brinker came out of the Republican Party primary unscathed. Denise, on the other hand, came out bruised and battered.

Normally, when the Republicans have a tough primary, they hold a unity breakfast the next day, where all the candidates get together and smile before the cameras, hold hands, and sing Kumbaya. The Democrats held no such event. There are still some hard feelings that need to be soothed.

Denise Powell is going to have to overcome the nickname “Dark Money Denise.” I have no doubt we’ll be inundated with commercials trying to label her a Democratic Socialist. While she’s definitely more liberal than Brinker Harding, I don’t believe she’s a Zohran Mamdani liberal.

My fear is that if the Dems get control of the House in November, the Democratic Socialists will take over their party the way MAGA has taken over the Republicans. A handful of far-left New York liberals will clash with a handful of far-right MAGA Republicans, and nothing good will get done.

But I think that’s a chance we’re going to have to take. We can’t let one man and one party have all the power.

Democratic Socialists are much like the guy who wanted his dog to vote. Good to get conversations started on cable news and social media, but hardly realistic in achieving their goals.

These extremes may be good for talk radio and winning primary elections, but it’s no way to run a country.

Tom Becka is a long time Nebraska broadcaster who for over 30 years has been covering Omaha and Midwest issues on both radio and TV. He has been a guest on numerous national cable and news shows, filled in for nationally syndicated talk radio programs and Talkers Magazine has recognized him as one of the Top 100 talk show hosts in the country 10 times. Never afraid to ruffle some feathers, his ‘Becka’s Beat’ commentaries can be found online on Youtube and other digital platforms.

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