Michael Smerconish: Talk Radio Host Without A Shout

Politico:

Michael Smerconish has been on the radio for years in Philadelphia, but he shot to national recognition on Aug. 20 when he broadcast his interview with President Barack Obama from the White House. And six months ago, his radio program went into national syndication; he can now be heard on 54 affiliates nationwide.

Read the whole story: Politico

Comments

[Aramingo]

I've been following him in print here in Philly for some time now. It's refreshing to see people who have their own line of reasoning. As opposed to people who say "I'm a conservative (or whatever), and conservaitves think this and that, therefore I'll think this and that" His POV makes him basically conservative, not the other way around.

I did catch him on "Real Time" and thought he did a good job.

[efmo]

I'm sorry, I've never listened or heard this gentleman, but I can' get past the ok with torture thing. It would be nice to get an unbiased critique & determine once and for all if torture is really worth it for the US to do. And I'm not talking about a ticking timebomb scenario. We tortured in the run up to the Iraq war to get false confessions regarding the 9/11 Iraq link that was nonexistent.

[annie0107]

I have listened to Mr. Smerconish on a number of occasions and he sounds like a lot of people I know - center-independent types. IMHO, that's a good thing.

[murphysgirl]

Everytime Michael Smerconish is on Hardball I appreciate his honest input. As a Republican, he doesn't parrot the typical GOP talking points. I applaud the fact that he voted for Obama, and doesn't shy away from talking about it to his GOP listeners.

I wouldn't be surprised in the next few years if he had a cable show..

[mrscorie]

Michael Smerconish is a voice of reason. I listen to him every morning and what I love the most is that he actually believes every word that comes out of his mouth.

[LeeCalif]

A quieter nut is still a wingnut.

[oldpol2]

Not everyone you disagree with is a wingnut. There are people "in the middle" who want answers and thoughtful debate. they want to share ideas and even though they will not always agree they want the chance to try.

[scorpioleidy]

Smerc! Love him!

[carpdd]

I have been a long time listener of Michael's and can honestly say that he is one of the most pragmatic people on the radio. He has finally put distance between Glen Beck and himself in the past six to eight months (whenever Beck went off the deep end). I disagree with Mike on a lot of issues due to his political affiliation but will always listen to him because he does not tow the party line but offers a unique and practical opinion of his views. I especially like the fact that Michael had reached out to the Boy Scouts of America when they had lost their funding from United Way. I wish him the very best on his new endeavor as he continues to be a voice of reason and not the Kool aid consumer for the GOP. Let's go Phils !

[NetworkGuy]

You are aware of the reason behind the United Way/BSA split, aren't you?

[LeeCalif]

Obviously, like the radio guy, carp prefers to bypass the difficult 'stuff'.

[ginamarie101]

Well, it wouldn’t hurt to have a lot more “rational conservatives” around to swap dialogue with. Good healthy debate with an exchange of ideas has always been a great catalyst for this country. What we have these days is far from rational coming from the right.

[robiform]

I agree--Smerconish is a frequent guest on "Hardball", and while he is definitely a conservative, he seems to be able to carry on a reasoned and civilized debate with people with whom he disagrees politically. Unfortunately for American politics and media, he seems to be a very rare bird among conservatives!!

[dillydawg]

Reasonable Republican. Not afraid of an opposing view. He voted for President Obama because he felt the McCain was simply not qualified. Mccain's views on foreign and domestic policy was inept. His 'Country First be D@mned' Sarah Palin VP pick was proof positive that he was wrong for the job.

[waiguoren]

This puff piece on Smerconish is ridiculous.

Can you say that on HuffPost?

[carpdd]

Mike is the real deal. I think this is a puff piece that will attract a lot of attention to the much needed voices of reason and not the "shout it from the roof tops" crowd that presently dominate the air waves.

[RobHunt]

There is simply no such thing as a "republican" who voted for Barack Obama. Even if you do consider the "soft-left" side of the party to be genuine republicans, the fact that they didn't support their IDEAL nominee is proof of it. If JOHN McCAIN isn't "moderate" enough for you - YOU"RE A DEMOCRAT!!!

[Joe The Nerd Ferraro - Huffpost Blogger]

Smerconish went for Obama because Obama was critical of Bush's exploits in Iraq while bin Laden was allowed to go free. Obama wants bin Laden, so does most of the country. McCain was not articulating that point.

[RobHunt]

Well I've HEARD of one-issue voters, but that would take the cake. For one thing, who could possibly believe that Obama wants bin Laden's scalp any more than John McCain would, or would make it more of a priority? Talk during a campaign is one thing, but let's not pretend that Obama is some kind of raging lion where McCain would be a mewling lamb. And even if there WERE some great distinction in their respective "bin Ladin policies", it would hardly warrant a REPUBLICAN to disregard every principle of conservatism and prefer the most liberal member of the Senate to lead this country as President.

[rain33]

yeah i heard that too. he doesn't trust mccain anyway.

[Kevin Ehsani]

um, actually, there were a lot of republicans who voted for obama. youtube has a ton of videos that shows people from all different states who voted for him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQHoT5odE0s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3PbiplAXTo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHJo2BRHLVI

... and many more.

how do you think he was elected president? you think only independents and democrats voted for him? please.

[oldpol2]

Really? Does that apply to the wing ding that ran one old heartbeat shy of the presidency?

[BostonBill]

I've only had the opportunity to hear Michael a few times but from what I can tell, he's exactly the kind of person I'd like to talk/listen to.....som­eone who I don't necessarily agree with on certain issues, but who is able to articulate their case intelligently, deducing from fact, and without resorting to focus-group-tested talking points.

[Common1]

He's not an ideologue. Just like I don't agree with a lot of what the Democratic party espouses. Anyone who totally agrees with any one format is a blind acolyte.

[carpdd]

well stated

[JakeMontero]

truth

[BlueFloyd]

he's a real anamoly. he supported Obama, and yet in nyc his radio show plays right after michael savage's. how we fits in with that crowd is beyond me. at least he may force a couple of minds open a bit from time to time on that station.

[jeanrenoir]

His fellow Phillie guy, Chris Matthews, did a favor to America by highlighting Smerc throughout the 2008 campaign. It's great to have his balanced sanity out there to keep both the dumber elements of the Democratic Party left, as well as the crazed elements of the Republican right, a little bit saner and more real.

[telebob59]

I know what I know about Smerconish chiefly from seeing him on 'Hardball.­' One of the pluses of watching Chris Matthews as I occasionally do. Agreed with waiguroen that the Politicio piece is 'puff' except where it makes mention of Grover Norquist and his assessment of Smerc's stance and appeal. My fellow listeners of Dave Emory's For The Record (and anyone else who's truly aware) will agree that Norquist is one insidious bastard. Whoever believes that he's simply a white knight of the tax reform implied by the name of the organization he heads has been well and truly duped.

[JakeMontero]

spot on