Quite possibly one of the most vitriolic talk show hosts in Colorado will no longer be spurting “50000 watts of hate.” On Aug 3, KOA’s “Gunny” Bob Newman announced he would leave the mic.
Newman, who for years has aggravated his detractors as he preached his brand of conservatism to “38 states, three countries, and a small moon,” said on his show Aug. 3, that he is leaving to take up a position as a security adviser in an undisclosed location for an undisclosed employer. Apparently, the location of his new job is 19 hours away. Newman says he is still mulling over the possibility of maintaining a blog for KOA that would undoubtedly host his frequent attacks on progressive organizations and leaders.
A frequent target of the now defunct Colorado Media Matters, Newman has been noted for his attacks on gay and Muslim rights as well as misleading or outright factious statements. Those statements included everything from a call for every Muslim to be forced to wear a GPS device, to linking military service of homosexuals to greater HIV risk, to claiming President Obama wants to increase abortions in Mexico with U.S. dollars in order to expand the global economy. Newman called this alleged program “Obamagenics.”
Throughout his tenure, his comments led to condemnations from the Colorado Muslim Council, Mountain States Chapter of the Anti-Defamation League, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the American Friends Service Committee among others. In addition, his comments caused both Progress Now Action and GLAAD to sponsor action campaigns against him.
While action campaigns led to sponsorship cancellations, Newman told Westword that he was not leaving the show due to financial complications at the studio. He said his show remained number one in its time slot and demographic. He further commented that management was very disappointed to see him go.
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