Pundit Review Radio

Erick Erickson, editor of RedState.com, CNN contributor and author of a great new book, Red State Uprising, joined me last night on WRKO. The book is a brutal critique of the modern GOP and of Washington itself. It makes a great companion to the final six weeks of this campaign cycle. I really wanted to talk to Erick about two issues in particular. Being a dreaded RINO, I wanted to hear from this national conservative leader how the GOP could establish a governing coalition that can last without folks like me, fiscal conservatives who put social issues further down the priority list. Are we welcome in what the Red Stater’s hope will be a new GOP? The second thing I wanted to know was, will Red State, with all of its influence among national grassroots conservatives, get behind Sean Bielat and help him Retire Barney Frank? The Pundit Review Radio Podcast RSS feed can be found here. What is Pundit Review Radio? On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the ne

I've often said one of the best parts about doing Pundit Review Radio on WRKO is access to all of the books and authors that publicists send our way. In this case, the book didn't come from a publicist, but from producer Rob's father, who read, enjoyed and recommended the book Leviathan: The history of whaling in America. This was my favorite book of the summer of 2010 and it was a pleasure to speak with author and Marblehead native Eric Jay Dolin about both Leviathan and his new book Fur, Fortune, and Empire. Eric does an amazing job bringing together natural history with American history. The result is a fascinating book about the history that is all around us here in Massachusetts. What is Pundit Review Radio? On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, 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 be

Bruce McQuain from Blackfive joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce spent 28 years in the U.S. Army and he is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match. Last week, two men were awarded the nation’s highest award, the Medal of Honor. Last weekend, Bruce told us about one of those men, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert James Miller. This week, he told us about the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. His name is Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, "Giunta’s squad of eight soldiers was ambushed during a nighttime patrol in the Korengal Valley in eastern Afghanistan, an area so dangerous to American troops it had become known as the “Valley of Death.” An Army specialist at the time, Giunta survived a bullet to the chest, but his life was saved by the protective body armor he was wearing. Under fire, Giunta immediately proceeded to recover two fellow soldiers wounded in t

The face of Washington arrogance, Barney Frank, is feeling the heat from first time candidate, businessman, father, Marine Sean Bielat. Just how worried is Barney? He's asked the impeached former president Bill Clinton to come to town and campaign for him. Barney says he's not worried, just campaigning. Right. That's as believable as saying "Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not in crisis." To support Sean's campaign and rid this country of one of its most arrogant career politicians, visit SeanForCongress.com and donate and spread the word. If Scott Brown can replace Ted Kennedy, Barney Frank can be RETIRED! What is Pundit Review Radio? On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, 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 the radio every Sunday evening from 6-8pm on AM680 WRKO, Bo

Bruce McQuain from Blackfive joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce spent 28 years in the U.S. Army and he is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match. Last week, two men were awarded the nation’s highest award, the Medal of Honor. Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta was named as the first living recipient of America’s highest medal for valor since the start of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bruce will tell us his story next week. This week, Bruce wanted to make sure the story, and incredible heroism, of the other recipient, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert James Miller, was not overlooked. This is one of the most epic and amazing stories we have ever told. "On Jan. 25, 2008, while serving as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant for his team, Miller volunteered to take lead on a nocturnal patrol in the Konar Province near the Pakistan border. Because of his Pashto language abilities, he led a

In the wake of 9/11, I don't think the country is any more bitterly divided, politically, than we were before it. After all, on that Tuesday morning, we were still feeling the effect of the Gore-Bush hanging chad hangover. What has changed about us is how we feel about the men and women in uniform. They enjoy, rightfully, near universal respect from the American people. Sure, in a country of 300 million, you'll find the Westboro Baptist Church's and Code Pink's, but could they be any more marginalized or irrelevant? No. Here is a story about a group of wounded vets taken to a spring training ballgame, and the spontaneous and sustained reaction of the crowd. It's a two hanky story. The people at that game, about 15,000 weren't all Republicans or all Democrats, they were all Americans. Here is another example. The fact is, support for our men and women in uniform is the final frontier of unity in America, and I'm ok with that. What is Pundit Review Radio? On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, Pun

Bruce McQuain from Blackfive joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce spent 28 years in the U.S. Army and he is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match. This week Bruce told us about Vietnam era Medal of Honor recipient Harold B. Durham Jr., "As the enemy pressed their attack, 2d Lt. Durham called for supporting fire to be placed almost directly on his position. Twice the insurgents were driven back, leaving many dead and wounded behind. 2d Lt. Durham was then taken to a secondary defensive position. Even in his extremely weakened condition, he continued to call artillery fire onto the enemy. He refused to seek cover and instead positioned himself in a small clearing which offered a better vantage point from which to adjust the fire. Suddenly, he was severely wounded a second time by enemy machine gun fire. As he lay on the ground near death, he saw two Viet Cong approaching, shooting

Bruce McQuain from Blackfive joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce spent 28 years in the U.S. Army and he is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match. This week Bruce told us about Sgt. First Class Mark Wanner of the Ohio National Guard, their first Silver Star recipient since the Korean War. The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Bruce does an incredible job with the series every week. The Pundit Review Radio Podcast RSS feed can be found here. What is Pundit Review Radio? On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, 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 the radio every Sunday evening from

Previously this summer, we've spoken to both Brad Marston and Sean Bielat via telephone. I've been following both men and their campaigns and have come away very impressed with how they are using social media to reach voters, not to mention what they have been saying about spending, taxes, immigration, etc. Brad is running to go to Beacon Hill, against three term incumbant Marty Walz in the 8th Suffolk district. He has a fundraiser this week at The Kinsale, August 25th at 6:30 PM featuring US Senator Scott Brown. Sean Bielat is running against perhaps the most powerful man in the Massachusetts congressional delegation, Barney Frank. Sean has a great background, a combination of business and military experience. He brings a new approach, in terms of openness and accountability, not to mention ideas. Barney, you've had your chance, and we've ended up where we are. Time for a fresh approach. Time to RetireBarney.com You can catch Sean for yourself as he moves WAY WAY UP the media food chain, appreari

While known as a hard charging partisan, It should be noted that on the issue of government corruption, Michelle Malkin is an equal opportunity giver. She's gone after George W. Bush (think Harriet Myers, among others), wayward senators like John Ensign (R-NV) and even GOP governors who have gone off the reservation (or Appalachian Trail). Last night, Michelle Malkin returned to Pundit Review Radio to talk about the new and expended paperback version of her #1 New York Times bestseller Culture of Corruption. If I didn't know any better, I'd wonder if the Democrats get a percentage of her book sales, after all, they are seemingly working overtime to provide her with new content, from Tax Cheat Champion Charlie Rangel, to Mad Maxine Waters to John Kerry's Not So Swift Boat tax troubles. Let's just call this book a living document. It was great fun to talk to Michelle again last night! What is Pundit Review Radio? On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets

It was great to welcome back Charlie Baker, GOP nominee for governor, to WRKO and Pundit Review Radio last night. Charlie is such a good candidate, with the type of political/business background this state desperately needs. As the race goes on, the differences between the two legitimate candidates (Sorry Tim!) are getting more clear. I think Charlie will ultimately deliver Deval the electoral drubbing he so richly deserves. Among the issues on the table last night, the Patrick administration's decision to outsource our education standards to Washington DC bureaucrats, the future of local aid, taxes, casinos and reform. What is Pundit Review Radio? On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, 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 the radio every Sunday evening from 6-8pm on AM68

Bruce McQuain from Blackfive joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce spent 28 years in the U.S. Army and he is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match. This week Bruce told us about an amazing, selfless woman who heads Soldiers Angels Germany. Her name of Mary Ann Phillips and she is a force of nature. Her mission, "to support patients medevaced to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center from Iraq and Afghanistan." Her work is so extraordinary she was one of 13 Americas, out of 6,000 nominated, to be awarded by President Obama the Presidential Citizen's Award, the 2nd highest civilian award our country has to offer. This is recognition that is truly deserved. Mary Ann is a special, special human being. From her citation, MaryAnn Phillips, Star Valley Ranch, WY "Caring for America’s injured service members, MaryAnn Phillips embodies strength and grace. An American citizen living in Ger

As I told author Sally Pipes last night, Massachusetts residents are the canary in the coal mine for Obamacare. We're living with the mini-mi of this impending national disaster everyday in the form of Romneycare. Even though we've seen this movie in Massachusetts already, the fact is, it still should scare the hell out of every taxpayer in the country. What is Pundit Review Radio? On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, 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 the radio every Sunday evening from 6-8pm on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

When I read this story in the Salem News, I could hardly believe it. Beyond words. Man tracks down pilot who saved his life in Vietnam BEVERLY — Rick Lindsey was lying on the ground, blood pouring out of the severed femoral artery in his right thigh, his femur bone shattered, when he saw a beautiful sight. It was a U.S. Marine Corps Sikorsky UH-34D medical evacuation helicopter, swooping in to Hill 55 in Vietnam amid intense fire, its machine guns firing back. "It was about 100 meters away, and I'm thinking, 'Boy, I'd sure like to be on that,'" Lindsey said. Lindsey, with the help of a cooperative Viet Cong soldier he had captured that morning, made it to the helicopter, as did two other injured Marines. As the helicopter roared away from the chaos below, Lindsay waved goodbye to the Viet Cong prisoner, whose finger Lindsay had shot off that morning. The POW waved back with his bandaged hand. The Marines were flown to a hospital in Da Nang. All three survived. And Lindsay, who would go on to serve 24

Bruce McQuain from Blackfive joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce spent 28 years in the U.S. Army and he is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match. This week Bruce told us about Lance Corporal Aaron C. Austin. From his Silver Star citation, "After ensuring his wounded platoon members received medical treatment, he rallied the few remaining members of his platoon and rushed to the critical rooftop defensive position. Braving withering enemy machine gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire, he reached the rooftop and prepared to throw a hand grenade. As he moved into a position from which to throw his grenade, enemy machine gun fire struck Lance Corporal Austin multiple times in the chest. Undaunted by his injuries and with heroic effort, Lance Corporal Austin threw his grenade, which exploded amidst the enemy, halting their furious attack. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and c

This was a great thrill for me to welcome to Pundit Review Radio the best friend the long suffering taxpayers of this state have ever had, Barbara Anderson of Citizens for Limited Taxation. We talked about the end of the legislative session this weekend, the gambling bill, their attempt to do away with the Initiative Petition process, as well as the governor's race and a certain someone from New Jersey. The Pundit Review Radio Podcast RSS feed can be found here. What is Pundit Review Radio? On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, 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 the radio every Sunday evening from 6-8pm on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Michael Fumento is someone we've long admired for his investigative reporting, whether covering the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan or more recently, the Toyota "sudden acceleration" scandal that engulfed the company in a PR disaster for most of this year. Michael has been all over the Toyota story from day one, providing much needed skepticism and a fresh perspective. He's written some great articles for Forbes and others and it was a great pleasure to speak with him. He's an original, a raconteur, a character. What is Pundit Review Radio? On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, 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 the radio every Sunday evening from 6-8pm on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Tonight we did a review of This Week in Post Racial America. It was a sorry week for the country in my opinion. It's not possible to do a winners and losers segment this week, as everyone involved in the Shirley Sherrod episode was a loser. It was a great pleasure to welcome Stephanie Davis back to the studio for the full hour. She provided some great insights and perspective to the conversation. What is Pundit Review Radio? On Boston’s Talk Station WRKO since 2005, 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 the radio every Sunday evening from 6-8pm on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.

Fresh off manning the grill at a campaign appearance at a Portuguese festival, Republican gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker joined us for the first time last evening. We were limited on time, but were able to touch on a few key issues, like my favorite governor, New Jersey’s Chris Christie and his take no prisoners attitude. My first question, how much Chris Christie can we expect from Governor Baker? I liked what I heard. We also talked about the front page Globe article titled, Firms cancel health coverage: With cost rising, small companies turning to state. We hit the CNBC survey that touts Massachusetts as a great place to do business. Finally, I was able to give Charlie some free advice, if the Globe columnists are criticizing you for going down market on issues like immigration, it can only mean one thing, you are talking about issues that regular people care about deeply. I hope to have Charlie back soon for a full segment where we can go a bit deeper on these issues and take more calls from t

Bruce McQuain from Blackfive joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce spent 28 years in the U.S. Army and he is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match. This week Bruce told us about Spc. Andrew Lamkin, a combat medic, "With another Soldier’s help, he dragged PV2 McCauley to a sector of the rooftop that seemed safer and less exposed. Upon reaching it, however, SPC Lamkin and his patient were immediately taken under heavy rifle and RPG fire from insurgent gunmen across the street. Without regard to his own safety, SPC Lamkin used his own body as a shield, and began to stabilize his seriously wounded comrade as withering fire raked the rooftop around him. SPC Lamkin realized that PV2 McCauley was unconscious and choking on his own blood. He quickly opened the casualty’s airway using a “J-tube,” enabling him to breathe although he was unconscious. The enemy continued to hammer the roofto