We like reading right-wing stuff, as you know, but we couldn't have predicted reading Air America talk host Ron Reagan (KPTK m-f, 3-6p) having fun and making one-liners like a liberal Shecky Greene in the latest edition of the print Newsmax Magazine.
It's a regular column called If I Were President… where the featured person tells the things he would do if he was POTUS. Previous contributors: Donald Trump, Vincente Fox, Chuck Norris, and George W. Bush when he actually WAS president!
(NewsMax, of course fails to mention Reagan's national radio show or connection with Air America).
Think the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree? Sometimes the apple falls to the ground, rolls across the field, floats down the creek, and ends up on the other side of town. Ron Reagan may be the son of a revered Republican president and conservative icon, but he’s never made any excuses for his liberal views on social issues. Ronald and Nancy’s baby boy even went so far as to endorse Barack Obama for president. So what would he do if he had the gig?
- I’d call for a congressional investigation of any CEO making $17,000 an hour, an obscene amount of money.
- My wife Doria’s lasagna would be my signature food.
- Rush Limbaugh would serve as my vice president because that’s the best way to shut him up.
- The White House pets would be my three cats — and I’d make sure they know where the litter box is.
- I’d make the Supreme Court revisit the decision to stop the Florida recount so they’d finally own up to being partisan hacks.
- Once I found bin Laden, I’d make him really sorry for what he’s done.
- I’d launch a massive, peaceful government project to remind Americans that our founders did not intend for us to be a globe-straddling military empire.
- Sen. John Kerry would serve as my personal White House sommelier.
- I’d immediately break the executive branch’s habit of lying to the American people.
We like that Reagan took this opportunity to contribute to such a reactionary blow-hole: it's in the spirit of the post-partisan era. Can't wait to read the letters to the editor.
Outlets of Christopher Ruddy's Newsmax Media are known for pulling stuff out of their collective fundament -- Media Matters calls the organization "a monthly publication with a history of publishing baseless conspiracy theories about Democrats."
Newsmax famously went with the Obama madrassa story, and was thoroughly, humiliatingly debunked. In another fiasco, they accused Hillary Clinton of refusing to meet with Gold Star Mothers -- another ass-sourced story.
Ruddy, who made his name within the right-wing intellectual minicosm as the leading Vince Foster-was-murdered conspiracist was financed by a group of conservative investors, including the family of the late CIA Director William J. Casey, and later Richard Mellon Scaife bought into the organization.
NewsMax on-line is arguably the most-read (not counting Drudge) right-wing site, the print magazine is an attempt to replace the faltering National Review.
One might wonder if Reagan didn't break into the Newsmax office and sneak this column into the issue past an unsuspecting editor.
One might wonder why Chuck Norris or George Bush aren't invited to pen a column in Mother Jones.
But one might never vociferate this wonderment, for it doesn't fit the drumbeat of this reactionary blowhole blog.
People confident in their position need not shudder in fear at the opposition voicing theirs.
Laudits to Newsmax.
Posted by: Republithug | February 03, 2009 at 12:21 AM
Whether you like Newsmax or not, it's a popularly-read thread and Reagan knows that. As an 'aspiring' radio talk-show host Ron understands exposure and therein was his motive in that piece. Much like Saturday Nite Live gives so many 'aspiring' politicians exposure - so does venues like Newsmax, Drudge, etc.
I'm sure you seen pics of politicians (including the climate guru, Al Gore) in front of his computer terminal with the Drudge Report appearing on his screen. This is nothing more than astute marketing. Over and above everything else, I'm sure Mr Reagan realizes this and will continue to attempt to further enhance his image and popularity in like manner. Good Luck, Ron - with Air America, you're going to need it.
Posted by: Duffman | February 03, 2009 at 06:42 AM
it's a popularly-read thread
And what does that say about its readers?
Reagan's got a good sense of humor and I bet his dad would be proud of him if he were here today. In fact, I bet Reagan SR. would be ashamed at what the Rethugs have done to his party. Even though he started it all.
Keep on baaing, Baart. :)
Posted by: joanie | February 03, 2009 at 08:11 AM
A professed liberal-progressive predicting (after the fact) what some former conservative President with Alzeimer's Disease would think is a bit of a stretch....at best! But your comments are always welcomed herein none the less.
Posted by: Duffman | February 03, 2009 at 08:38 AM
..and I doubt he (or his son Ron) would say "The Republican Party needs to be executed as quickly as possible." - as your hero talk show host Mike Malloy apparently spewed.
Posted by: Duffman | February 03, 2009 at 08:51 AM
your comments are always welcomed herein none the less.
WHo asked you?
Posted by: joanie | February 03, 2009 at 09:40 PM
Duffman - on behalf of Joanie, I'd like to thank you for your kind words toward her. I, too, have been working to create a more welcoming environment.
Let's all join together to make her feel welcome. She's done an incredible job posting here considering the challenges and impediments she faces and is an inspiration to us all. If I could deliver a fruit basket to her, I would. It would be filled with delicious kiwis, sun-ripened raisins, ripe oranges and exotic guava.
Yummy-yummy in my tummy-tummy!
Posted by: apologizer | February 03, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Newsmax evidently matters and Ron Reagan is smart enough to see that.
Malloy is a real winner - maybe the progressives like him are the ones who should be sent to reeducation camps. Malloy should just be glad we are not under Sharia law and existing in a Dhimmitude.
Posted by: KS | February 03, 2009 at 10:29 PM