Political Discourse & America’s Top Paid Pundits

Remember what it was like when our perspective of the outside world was shaped by the nightly news on three television networks, a few national papers (maybe), and AM radio? Me neither. From the birth of the 24-hour news cycle (thanks, Ted Turner) through the evolution of digital media, we are now provided with limitless opinions, conjecture, and conflict-laden discourse. Not surprisingly, politics and social issues carry the most weight on the airwaves, in the dailies, and all over the blogosphere.

For those entities able to centralize discussion enough to build loyal, constantly-tuned-in audiences, they have provided a platform for a crop of compelling media darlings that enthrall their listeners, viewers, and readers with seemingly earnest and passionate anecdotes and opinions with one principal goal: to elicit emotion. Indifference is the great killer of media careers, so in between offering the occasional laugh, the most successful media-types are masters of turning both compelling issues and seemingly innocuous events into the most profitable emotions of the day: disbelief, anxiety, and fear.

Rush Limbaugh, Jon Stewart, and Sarah Palin are three of the biggest names amongst these media personalities, current and former politicians, and political consultants. And although their on-air personas and devoted listeners would say different, most of these individuals recognize that their primary function is one of entertainment. Comedy Central’s Stewart has repeatedly noted that “it would be wrong to describe what he does as ‘journalism.’” And Glenn Beck, the Fox News firebrand du jour, shares that “I could give a flying crap about the political process” and notes of his organization Glenn Beck Inc., “We’re an entertainment company.” These successful members of the media know what sells and the American people are buying.

Now, do you ever wonder how much these talking heads earn? It’s natural to be curious, since these individuals reach out to us as peers, seemingly looking out for our best interest and sharing the stories the “media establishment” doesn’t want us to know about. But do they really endure the same social and financial struggles as Joe the Plumber and Mary the Schoolteacher? And have they cornered the truth market? Or do their roles as entertainers allow them the latitude to stay loose with the facts and/or conclusions? Hopefully we realize that such performers on a national stage have millions of reasons ($$$) to keep you coming back for more. Let’s look at the top-10 earners of 2010 as compiled by Newsweek (through independent research by Wealth-X):

10 highest-earning political figures of 2010 (includes earnings from radio, television, print, digital & speaking engagements)

Draw your own conclusions, but you can sleep easy…these folks aren’t struggling to make ends meet. And if their next radio or television appearance leaves you anxious or fearful, remember to take their act with a grain of salt. For the complete list, check out Newsweek’s Power 50.

- Matt

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