Conservative Radio Host Smerconish Invited to the White House Today

Conservative Radio Host Smerconish to the White House

Updated 9:28 a.m. 8/20/09
By Garance Franke-Ruta


President Obama has invited conservative Philadelphia talk radio host Michael A. Smerconish to broadcast his nationally-syndicated radio show from the White House Thursday afternoon, a first for radio during his administration.

Smerconish, who unusually among conservative radio hosts endorsed Obama for president in 2008, teased the move on his Twitter account Wednesday morning, writing, "Haven't tweeted for a while....but this is big...making major announcement on air at 730am....clue: fireside chats"

A major topic of discussion on the show, which will involve a call-in component, will be the president's health care reform efforts, which have draw increasing criticism from conservatives and independent voters. "There are no ground rules. I am not prescreening with the White House on what the subject matter will be," Smerconish said in a statement announcing the show. But he used his morning and afternoon programs Wednesday to seek out listeners with "pointed direct and substantive questions about Health Care," he said.

"We're looking for questions that have not already been asked," he added.

Smerconish told The Post that he had submitted multiple interview requests to the White House through his publisher over a period of months before his producer got a call last Thursday inviting him to come down to do his show from the White House. He said he did not know why his request was granted now.

more...

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/08/19/obama_invites_conservative_rad.html

over those who campaigned and canvassed for him during the election ... his progressive base? :thumbsdown:

Take us for granted at your peril Rahm-Bo, et. al.

it's in everyone's best interests if Obama has a platform to explain the nuances of this health care reform where conservatives might listen?

with these assholes who hold a faith-based view of reality.

Smirk is no better than any of the others.

And again, the President reaches out to the reich while telling the left to fuck off.

And when were you told to fuck off? Do tell.

world-view.

And the consistent message from this administration (and Congress) has been that pukes and cons are to be compromised with but liberals are not to raise a stink (see "please don't run ads against the Blue Dogs" crap).

It backfired badly. I don't know Smerconish at all, but let's hope he's as corrupt as Rush.

Of all of the ones I have seen or heard, he is pretty rational and doesn't spout the approved RNC bullshit.

Not sure how he arrived to the conclusion of letting Smerconish broadcast his show from the WH, but it's probably a good move. It shows how reasonable and easy to work with he is, the contrast with the GOP is stark. I have issues with Obama's style, I'd like to see him crack some heads more often, but there is no denying he's a big man. He makes me want to be a better and more forgiving person.

that goes on around here about our president, he is made of stronger stuff than a lot of people give him credit for.

that he's just better than most of us. He doesn't have a mean or petty bone in his body, it's how he is. It can be frustrating watching him sometimes because he is so easygoing and I do disagree with his approach to the health care political situation, but he didn't get this far by being a total chump, so I expect that he'll get things done his own way like he always does and it might not be perfect but it'll still be pretty good in the end.

:headbang:
rocktivity

They've NEVER been Listening to us.

..
He endorsed Obama early.

batshit freepers HATE him, because he actually presents reasonable arguments that are based on rational thought.


Being interviewed by Smerc is a *SMART* idea by Obama.... to reach the independents and moderates that he needs to reach. The left is already pro-health care reform.

He appeals to the suburban independents. Conservatives call in all the time angry at him for abandoning them.

Half of the time he talks about Philly sports and classic rock music. I like his show.

plus read some of his work at Huff Post. He's a viable Conservative and not just some right-wing whacko, I can respect that. People like Rush, Hannity and Beck, there's no depth to those guys, they don't want anything good in this world, they just wallow in anger, hate and fear and offer no viable governing philosophy or worthwhile ideas. Smerconish at least has a working brain and some intellectual depth going for him.

It is a good idea, if Obama invited Mike Papantonio, Rachel Maddow or say Sam Seder to do a show at the WH and interview him, he'd get zero GOP leaning Indies or Moderates to think he was doing anything other than a dog and pony show, this way they at least see that he is willing to talk to a Conservative. People on the Right or who lean that way rely on trusted sources more than even things like facts, they believe the word of somebody they like and respect more than anything else. These folks who like and respect Smerconish and consider him a trusted source will definitely be impacted by this and that's a good thing. Those are the people we want to be able to work with in good faith.

I guess I will trust the previous poster (and Obama)