Over the years I’ve noticed that converts to the conservative cause seem to make the most effective leaders -- Andrew Breitbart, David Horowitz, Anita MonCrief, Eric Metaxas and Mike Adams, just to name a few. Talk radio host and tea party leader Dana Loesch was a registered Democrat for many years. Even after marrying her conservative husband, Chris, she didn’t fully embrace the conservative cause until the terrorist attacks on September 11.
A few years later, Dana started a blog called “Mamalogues,” which chronicled her life with her children. She says that writing for her blog helped solidify her views on moral and political issues. In 2007, St. Louis radio host Jamie Allman had become a fan of Dana’s writing and contacted her about contributing to his show. Eventually, Allman asked her to be a permanent co-host, but instead the program director did a test-run of a solo show. The now successful Dana Show can be heard on KFTK’s 97.1 every afternoon in the Greater St. Louis area. For the first time, The Dana Show was featured in Talkers Magazine’s top 100 “heavy hitters” list for 2012.
In addition to her radio gig, Dana is a contributing editor at Breitbart.com and CNN contributor. She is also a regular speaker at tea party and conservative events.
As we head into the 2012 election, let’s not forget to reach out to those who currently identify themselves as Democrats. After all, it wasn’t that long ago that Dana Loesch, one of the conservative movement’s rising stars, was among them.
1. If there were a television channel that only showed one movie over and over, what movie should it be?
Inglorious Basterds. One of the best films ever made. Best ending since Tarantino's other movie, Death Proof.
2. What’s one of your favorite movie quotes?
"For those that fight for it, life has a flavor the sheltered will never know." It's from Suckerpunch. It's tied with Robert the Bruce's line in Braveheart: "You've bled with Wallace, now bleed with me!"
3. In A Clockwork Orange, Malcolm McDowell is strapped in with his eyes propped open and forced to watch images until he was "cured." If you could give President Obama, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid the "Clockwork Orange treatment," what movie would you make them watch?
Passion of the Christ or Gigli.
4. What was the first rock concert you ever attended and where did you sit and who went with you?
The very first concert I ever attended was Al Green. I went with a friend. My step-dad was a huge Motown fan and also loved vinyl. Every Sunday he'd fire up the record player with dozens of Motown albums. I wanted to go to Guns-n-Roses before that but my mom wouldn't let me because she said that it would be "dangerous." Of course that was the night they incited a riot and destroyed our amphitheater. THANKS AXL. I wasn't allowed to go to another concert until I could drive.
5. What pop culture souvenir do you own that people would be surprised to learn that you cherish?
Some Elvis trading cards. My grandmother was a huge Elvis fan and, despite having 23 grandchildren, had more photos of Elvis in her house than photos of her grandchildren. For awhile she made The Pilgrimage to Memphis every year with her sister and they would visit Graceland and take photos of the exact same things as they did the previous year. She was such a fun lady and I learned a lot from her. I also inherited her love of The King.
6. What important advice do you remember your mother or father giving you? Did you take it?
After hearing that I got bullied at school one day my mom, the female Clint Eastwood who used to perch a cigarette on her lower lip before she stopped smoking, squinted her eyes at me and said "Don't you ever get your ass beat. I forbid it. You have a God-given ability to fight back so do it." I was astounded that I both had permission and that she said "ass" right before "God." I took it.
7. If Democrats and Republicans had theme songs for 2012 what would they be?
Alice Cooper's "Elected" for the GOP and Santigold's "Shove It" for the Democrats. Said lovingly.
8. Who would be on the perfect "Red Eye" panel?
It would have to exceed the number of regular allotted guests because I cannot make up my mind. Jesse Hughes from Eagles of Death Metal, Sarah Palin, Jennifer Lawrence to spite PETA, Vincent Gallo, Rep. Allen West, myself (omg! of course!), Adam S. Baldwin, Vince Vaughn, Sonnie Johnson, Glenn Reynolds, Patricia Heaton, Adam Carolla, all together for a three or four-hour panel. Fox would totally let that fly, right?
9. What’s the coolest thing you’ve been able to do because of your role in the media?
Sitting many stories up in midtown Manhattan to contribute to ABC's midterm election coverage with George Stephanopoulos and Diane Sawyer. Also contributing to CNN from the Republican primary debates. Watching history happen, watching the first movements towards voting for change in 2012; being right at wheel level, that's what it's all about. I also was once in a bathroom stall right next to Congresswoman Bachmann during commercial break for one debate. Part of me really wanted to tell my future grandkids that "I was once next to the bathroom stall of the first female President."
10. What's your favorite home-cooked meal?
My mother-in-law's lasagna. Hands to sky it's better than lasagna I've had in the nicest Italian restaurants anywhere in the country.
11. What one thing would you do as President "just because you could"?
Cut absolutely everything not enumerated in Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution. After that, I would fly to Roswell and walk beyond the sign that threatens trespassers with "use of deadly force."
12. Tell me about the moment you decided to enter the political arena.
I was in 9th grade I stared at my history teacher's Clinton/Gore sticker on her chalkboard and wondered how difficult it would be to remove if they lost. Then I wondered what she found so appealing about those men to deface her chalkboard with her sticker. Thus began the path. I left it for a few years and reentered it as a conservative on September 11, 2001.
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