4 posts tagged “bob scheer”

It's a pledge drive Friday, so there won't be much posting...but here's today's summary and a few choice items to listen closely for -- links to follow in a separate post:

The fight over US energy policy has been the dominant message on the Presidential campaign trail this week: who’s got it right, who’s pandering and who’s been a demagogue? Tony Blankley’s for any plan that doesn’t involve tax subsidies, and prefers the multi-pronged approach. Bob Scheer and Arianna Huffington think Obama’s trying to play it too safe; and everyone thinks that no one’s facing the facts and telling the truth – they’re just playing politics. Matt Miller still believes the issues they should be focused on are health and pension security but that $4-a-gallon gas pushed the national agenda sideways. As Obama prepares to take a vacation, is he ceding the limelight to McCain? Why has McCain been successful in undermining Obama’s message? A reminiscence about Reagan, who stuck to his guns -- and won. Should Obama do the same? Plus, a brief mention of that other world event: The China Olympics.

Tony has an amazing line about "endive" -- (he doesn't pick a pronunciation -- he says both AHN-deev and EN-dive) --
he remembers that when Michael Dukakis ran for President, in the context of agriculture, he spoke about "endive." Tony says, it's wheat that's all-American, and that referring to endive made him sound "effete." The inflated tire comment, says Tony, is Obama's endive!

And I want you to pay attention: how many times in today's show do the panelists say "gouge" instead of gauge (gage) in referring to McCain's little tire gauge ploy? Get back to me with the answer!

And, lest we be left out of the TRUE national conversation, thank heaven Arianna rescues us with a rant about the John Edwards SEX SCANDAL! While we were busy talking about issues, the rest of the media was harping on Edwards' affair -- for hours and hours and hours. We gave that issue the 19.5 seconds it deserved. Jeez.

 

Patriotism; Is Obama Shifting to the Center? John McCain's Campaign Shakeup

 A substantive discussion amongst the panelists about what patriotism means. Bob Scheer expounds on George Washington’s farewell speech; Tony Blankley talks about how the theme plays out politically; Matt Miller shares thoughts by Peter Beinart in Time Magazine that the right says “America’s great,” the left says, “Here’s what would make America great;” and Arianna Huffington mentions the USA Today poll that says 2/3 of Americans think that protesting is patriotic. Are Barack Obama’s moves to capture the hearts of swing voters going to win him votes or just the animosity of his base? And will John McCain’s campaign recover its footing with new guy, Steve Schmidt, at the helm. That's him, pictured above

Here's what we're thinking about talking about on the July 4 edition of Left, Right & Center:

The Patriotism Debate [Obama speech, Wesley Clark questioning John McCain's military credentials, Independence Day), The Fight Over Obama's Move to The Center, and McCain's Campaign Shake Up.  

KCRW locals will have to listen ONLINE this week (www.KCRW.com/ live stream at 2:30 and 7 pm PST) -- we're pre-empted for all-day holiday music programming on July 4th, a wonderful 10-hour doc on the history of Rockabilly (Details here: http://www.kcrw.com/music/programs/mx/mx080704whole_lotta_shakin

But pick up the LRC podcast or listen on-demand here: www.KCRW.com/news/programs/lr

Your homework: listen to Obama's speech on patriotism and review Wes Clark's comments:

Wes Clark:   http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080629/pl_politico/11425

Obama Patriotism speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMbBuEoEYnk

Then DISCUSS! You can start without us. Happy 4th! Exercise your liberty!

8:14 am Pacific time, Friday, June 27, 2008 (can't believe the new year is half over)

Surprise visit at KCRW from Jeff Dowd -- aka The Dude of The Big Lebowski--who stopped in to do KCRW's Guest DJ Project; he dropped by my desk to say he's a huge fan of Left, Right and Center. Little known facts about the so-called "laid-back" guy: he's no slacker, he's got a monster sized brain, a huge amount of film production activity going on and is a political activist of MAJOR proportions! Check the real DUDE out here: www.jeffdowd.com. What a trip!

PS: Tony's traveling today; special guest on the Right is Jim Antle, associate editor of The American Spectator magazine, and a contributor to Politico.com and many other old-media publications. Tune in today for KCRW's Left, Right and Center -- and while you're at it, sign up for the podcast and check out our cool media player!

By the way, pictured above are Jeff Dowd giving KCRW's Guest DJ Project producer Rachel Reynolds a Big Squeeze; he'll be doing his Guest DJ spot with music host, Jason Eldredge, pictured below. All pix by the station's Gregg Lewis. Fun place to work, doncha' think? It's not all politics, all the time!