10:51 AM PST on Thursday, April 1, 2004

By kgw.com and AP Staff

Comedian Al Franken says he's got the answer to conservative talk radio: liberal talk radio.

A radio network touted as a progressive alternative to politically conservative programming debuted in Portland on Wednesday morning. It's also on the air in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and on X-M satellite radio.

Al Franken takes to the air on Wednesday. (AP Photo)

Progressive Media's Air America network, anchored by a show hosted by Franken, can be heard locally on KPOJ on 620 AM.

The flagship program -- called the "O'Franken Factor" -- airs weekdays at 9 a.m., right up against conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh on KEX.

Both KPOJ and KEX are owned by radio giant Clear Channel. With the change in programming, KPOJ has dropped its golden oldies format.

Franken calls his show the "O'Franken Factor" to poke fun at conservative commentator Bill O'Reilly.

"People ask me why we're going on the air," said Franken. "I tell them for one reason and one reason only, and that is to annoy and bait Bill O'Reilly and just maybe get him to sue us."

Franken's upcoming guests will include filmmaker Michael Moore, Sept. 11 panel commissioner Bob Kerrey and former Bush administration counterterrorism adviser Richard Clarke.

Franken makes no bones about his main target -- he'll be going after President Bush, who, Franken says, is "taking the country in the wrong direction."

"When George Bush ran for president in 2000 and said he was against nation building," Franken said, "I didn't realize he meant only our nation."

Aside from Franken, Air America's lineup includes shows featuring comic Mark Maron, actress Janeane Garofalo and Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" co-creator Lizz Winstead along with Public Enemy rapper Chuck D.