Pundit Review Radio

Because the public has been clamoring for it, we invited Dean Barnett from The Weekly Standard back in to the studio last night. Dean sat in for the entire show and we had a great time, talking about The Anatomy of a Smear, how Andrew Sullivan has turned The Atlantic into The Enquirer, Palin Derangement Syndrome on the left, irrational Palin exuberance on the right and much more. What is Pundit Review Radio? Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Bruce McQuain from QandO joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce is a veteran of the Vietnam war and spent 28 years in the U.S. Army. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match. Dean Barnett and I welcomed Bruce who talked about Staff Sergeant Jason Fetty, "SSG Fetty is a man who put his life on hold to participate in something bigger than himself. He volunteered for Afghanistan in order to make a positive difference in the lives of others. While some people talk about that, he did it. And when confronted with a man who would destroy all the good he had labored so hard to help build, he valorously took action which assured that didn’t happen. That’s why SSG Jason Fetty of Joint Provisional Reconstruction Team Khost, pharmacist, reservist, patriot and recipient of the Silver Star is someone you should know." The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Br

Stan Grossfeld wrote a wonderful story on Thursday in the Boston Globe. It touched me on many different levels, I blogged about it a couple of days ago, "A die hard Red Sox fan from Utah promised his sons that he would take them to Fenway Park to see a game this summer. The father, James W. Taylor, Jr. was killed in a helicopter accident in Arizona in June. He worked as an emergency room nurse, served as a first lieutenant in the US Army Reserves and worked part time on Life Flight. He was on a Life Flight, working to save a life, when the accident happened. The Taylor family wanted to let the boys live out this dream of seeing their team at Fenway Park. James sister posted a message on a Red Sox fan site asking if anyone could help her make this dream a reality. Well, Red Sox Nation, the players and some local businesses stepped up big time." It was an honor to welcome to Pundit Review Radio James W. Taylor’s wife Traci, as well as Red Sox fan Tom Nardozzi who helped organize the effort. If you ever wo

Sarah Palin is a game changer, is there any doubt after this weekend? She has simultaneously energized the conservative base AND independents. I am truly shocked by how well this pick has been received. Conservatives have been waiting for McCain to stick his finger in their eye once again. With this pick, he has shocked them by delivering an authentic conservative. He raised $3 million overnight and has re-energized his base in a way few thought possible. I am surprised that independents have been as impressed, 64% of unaffiliated voters now give positive reviews to McCain, up ten points since naming his running mate. I really thought this was a risky choice. I, like Richard Brookhiser of National Review, took a decidedly negative view initially. I tried to make these points tonight, but the callers for the most part, were having none of it. Here’s Brookhiser, "The Palin pick shows a low opinion of the vice presidency, and it shows conservatives in a bad light." Why is this so? Because for months exper

Bruce McQuain from QandO joined me last night and we discussed, among other things, the selection of Sarah Palin. Bruce, like me, was not bowled over at first. Then he watched her introductory press conference and saw the groundswell of support for the pick. We discussed how this changes the game, and how it is driving the liberals crazy. What is Pundit Review Radio? Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

One of the leading citizen journalists in the world, Michael Yon, returned to Pundit Review Radio once again for a live 30-minute report from the front lines. Michael is back in Afghanistan, embedded with the British troops. A former Green Beret, Michael has built his reputation by delivering the news as he sees it, the good, the bad and the ugly. I was lucky to have with me Bruce McQuain from QandO. Bruce is a veteran himself, having spent 28 years in the Army. We talked to Michael about the British troops he was staying with, how much we can rely on NATO, the influence of Pakistan and what sees in terms of progress with the Afghan military and police forces. Michael had just returned from a mission with the Brits, and told us about the opium crop, and how it was now being replaced by corn because of all things, surging prices. We have a long way to go in Afganistan, and Michael talked about the differences between this war and Iraq. Success will require enormous patience. Michael is a truly indepedent j

Topics: Radio Someone You Should KnowBruce McQuain from QandO joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce is a veteran of the Vietnam war and spent 28 years in the U.S. Army. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match. It is so great to have him as part of the show. Last night, Bruce told us about CPL Moses Cardenas, "Al Anbar province, Iraq. Once one of the most deadly places on earth for US Soldiers and Marines is scheduled to be turned over to the Iraqi government soon because it has become a place of relative calm and peace. Things are beginning to bloom and work there. That is the case due to no small effort by Marines and Soldiers who have fought and died there over the past few years." Tonight I’d like to tell you about a young Marine who not only saved a life and by doing so gave his new born daughter the ultimate gift. The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s seri

US Senate candidate Jeff Beatty joined me last week to discuss his campaign against John Kerry. Jeff is a very impressive man with his background in DELTA FORCE, CIA counterterrorism operations and private business. We took a lot of good calls from both sides. Jeff handled himself well, especially when an angry Kerry supporter called in. What is Pundit Review Radio? Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin Whalen gives voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Bruce McQuain from QandO joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce is a veteran of the Vietnam war and spent 28 years in the U.S. Army. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match. It is so great to have him as part of the show, "It is often said by professional soldiers that the heart and soul of any army can be found in its Non-Commissioned Officer’s corps. It is the Sergeants who really run the military. We officers are only allowed to think we do. And every good officer who rises through the ranks to command armies is the product of a long line of outstanding NCOs who taught him the ropes at every level of command. Tonight I’m going to tell you the story of three courageous Staff Sergeants that fought a key battle in Afghanistan in 2005. It is a battle you’ve probably never heard about. But the story is an inspiring one. Most of the information about Staff Sergeants Matthew Blaskowski, Patrick Brannan, and Christop

Jeff Jacoby of the Boston Globe joined me last night to discuss Joe Biden and his strengths and weaknesses as a candidate. We also discussed Obama, what he needs to accomplish at the convention and whether or not things like Rev. Wright and Bill Ayers are fair game or dirty politics. We also discussed what McCain needs to do with his VP selection. Jeff is a true gentleman and it was great to have him back on the show.

Bruce McQuain took a special trip last week, and it inspired him to tell us the story of the men and women who make Operation Continuing Promise possible. "The overall umbrella operation is called Continuing Promise. It is an operation that will continue in various forms in the future. It is a tremendous and praiseworthy effort that I think needs to be given the visibility it richly deserves. But there is an irony here you can't escape. And it has to do with a warship on a humanitarian mission. On the surface, it doesn't seem to be a fit. But when you dig into it a little you realize that the Kearsarge is a perfect instrument for this sort of work, but not for the reason you might think. Because she was built to carry United States Marines to war and support them, she has the hospital facilities necessary to treat children and change their lives forever. Because she was built to carry United States Marines to war and support them, she has the equipment such as Landing Craft and heavy lift helicopters, to

Bruce McQuain told us an amazing story of bravery tonight, that was spun as a defeat by the MSM, but was anything but. Bruce contrasts AP coverage of a recent attack on US troops in Afghanistan with the reporting of Steve Mraz of Stars & Stripes and Independent milblogger Jeff Emanuel, who sums it up this way, "Perhaps the most important takeaway from that encounter, though, is the one that the mainstream media couldn’t be bothered to pay attention long enough to learn: that, not for the first time, a contingent of American soldiers that was outnumbered by up to a twenty-to-one ratio soundly and completely repulsed a complex, pre-planned assault by those dedicated enough to their cause to kill themselves in its pursuit. That kind of heroism and against-all-odds success is and has been a hallmark of America’s fighting men and women, and it is one that is worthy of all attention we can possibly give it.” This is truly an amazing, inspirational and moving story about men with a level of bravery and courag

James Pethokoukis has quickly become one of my favorite guests. He is the money and politics blogger for U.S. News & World Report, where he writes the monthly Capital Commerce magazine column. Pethokoukis is also the assistant managing editor of the magazine’s Money & Business section. He is also a regular guest on my favorite tralking head TV show, Kudlow & Co. and is a 2002 Jeopardy! champion. Way cool! Last night we discussed the presidential candidates and their economic plans, the sorry Bush fiscal legacy and ongoing ignorance surrounding the issue of tax cuts. What is Pundit Review Radio? Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Recently, Bruce McQuain profiled Marine Sgt. Merlin German as part of our Someone You Should Know series. Last night we welcomed Brian Guerra, director of Merlin’s Miracles, the charity that carries his legacy forward. Known by those who treated him as “Miracle Man”, Merlin German had a vision to help burned children and their families. He wanted the foundation to be named “Merlin’s Miracles”. Sgt. German understood how critical the support he’d received from charities like the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund and Soldier’s Angels had been to his recovery, and he wanted to provide the same type of support for children who were burn victims. Here’s how you can help: info@merlinsmiracles.com Merlin’s Miracles 4319 Medical Dr., Ste 131 - 352 San Antonio, TX 78229-3325

I really enjoyed speaking to one of the great nicest gentlemen in the media, Todd Feinburg. Todd is a nationally syndicated talk show host and blogger at Barack’s White Lies. I was able to congratulate Todd for being the first to spot Barack Obama’s scrubbing of his website in order to remove all of his anti-surge, immediate withdrawal rhetoric. Todd did what any good blogger would do, he sent tons of emails to the influencers in the blogosphere. Before you knew it, Instapundit was on the case, and eventually the MSM from the NY Daily News to the LA Times, Today Show and Bill O’Reilly. In addition to this, we discussed the Washington Post’s incredibly tough editorial on Barack’s Iraq position as well as some recent polling, shrewd and not so shrewd moves by the McCain campaign and finally, the issue of impending buyer’s remorse for Democrats.

One of our favorite guests is retired Lt. Col Ralph Peters. He has a fantastic new book out that I highly recommend. Looking For Trouble: Adventures in a Broken World As the U.S. Army’s chosen troubleshooter before he took off his uniform to write, Peters saw the greatest international dramas of our times and the personal tragedies they created from a truly unique perspective–and took advantage of every moment _outside of the wire._ The result is startling: the liveliest adventure memoir by an American in decades, a perfect balance of high drama and laugh-out-loud hilarity. As I told Ralph tonight before the show, I laughed out loud every few pages. This is a fascinating, educational and gripping book, beautifully written. What is Pundit Review Radio? Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brin

In the latest edition of Someone You Should Know, Bruce McQuain from QandO told us about Navy Cross recipient Lance Corporal Todd Corbin, "When you read of this young man’s heroics, remember when this happened he was a Lance Corporal and a driver. The fact that he assessed the situation, realized he had to take charge and did so is a testament to both his courage and Marine Corps training. His successful defense of his position and the rescue and evacuation of his comrades is a remarkable feat, deserving of the Navy Cross." The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Thanks to Matt, Bruce is now on board and we are lucky to have him as part of the show. All of our interviews are also available for download at iTunes and Podcast Alley via the Pundit Review Radio Podcast. What is Pundit Review Radio? Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in th

Bruce McQuain from QandO joined us tonight for another edition of Someone You Should Know. This week, he told us the inspirational story of Marine Sgt. Merlin German, "More than a year after Sgt. Merlin German nearly died in a roadside bombing in Iraq, his hands burned into nubs and his body in a wheel chair, he resolved to walk into his San Antonio church on his own two feet. His mother, Lourdes German, who had been “his hands and feet” since that day in February 2005, worried but knew it would be so. “Everything he did, he did himself,” Mrs. German, said. “That parish was just overjoyed. The pastor even stopped preaching to welcome Merlin.” At this point in the story, you’re saying to yourself,” what a phenomenal young man.” He beat the longest odds you can imagine, did it with courage and grace and, as Dr. Renz said, inspired others during his ordeal. But that wasn’t enough for Merlin German. The young man who had willed himself out of his wheelchair and onto his feet so he could walk into church had m

Bruce McQuain from QandO joined us to tell the stroy of Silver Star recipient 1LT Stephen Boada, "In the hills of Afghanistan, a desperate fight raged as Marines fought to the death with the Taliban. One such engagement involved 1LT Stephen Boada. His story, as I’ve pointed out before, is illustrative of the tremendous responsibility young leaders bear in combat. Literally life and death rests on their every choice. And, as was 1LT Boada, they are constantly found worthy of that responsibility through their actions." The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Thanks to Matt, Bruce is now on board and we are lucky to have him as part of the show. All of our interviews are also available for download at iTunes and Podcast Alley via the Pundit Review Radio Podcast. What is Pundit Review Radio? Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new me

Jon Henke is one of the sharpest guys out there when it comes to the intersection of the new media and politics. He is one of the leaders of a new grassroots community called The Next Right, "The Next Right is the place for wired activists to build a new Republican Party and conservative movement. As a community-driven grassroots action website for the right, we’ll feature in-depth political analysis, on-the-ground reports, and strategic discussion and debate." This was an interesting discussion about the state of the conservative movement, the GOP and online activism. We also took a lot of very good phone calls. What is Pundit Review Radio? Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.