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The Honorable Richard "Dick" Armey
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  A lion of the Republican Revolution of the Nineties’ adds his roar to the 2008 Presidential Primary! Texas Congressman and Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey is speaking out, on two items he says are “shockingly absent†from the Presidential discussion: Social Security and Medicare. We’ll talk about that...also, Armey’s own critique of his party – and his prescription for a new republican revival. Guest
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What a blowhard!
Lots of sniping and generalizations. Not much substance here.
A frustrating show.
Laura Knoy,
I very much enjoy the exchange. This morning I was shocked at the kind of language I heard from Dick Armey.Here are some specifics: He referred to Obama as "someone who says 'Vote for me, I'm cute coming out of the pool.'" Obama obviously has no control over what photos are taken of him or how he looks;he does have a detailed health care plan. Armey called Clinton, over and over, "scary" and "mean." He said all Democrats "should be ashamed of themselves." Democratic leaders were "incompetent." Over and over, Armey used insult to attack the people he obviously disagrees with, rather than use facts to challenge their ideas.
I applaud the caller Kristin from Portsmouth who spoke about it on the air (I was about to call in also when the show ended). I was sickened by his patronizing response that she sounded young. Once again, he attacked the person (someone he didn't even know and could only make insulting assumptions about) rather than address her idea: the lack of civility and substance in his remarks.
I am, for the record, 57 and a college educated professional, in fact, a teacher who would not tolerate this quality of commentary in my own students. It must be very hard for you as a live talk show host to correct a guest, and I'm very mindful of First Amendment issues, but I want to encourage you to explore ways you can set standards for civility, by directly challenging a speaker to substitute personal remarks with specifics. (I noticed you did ask him once to be specific, which he dodged.)You would be doing something to help return civility and thoughtfulness to public discourse, which is sadly needed. These are hard times. We need to look at ideas, not insult each other for having different ones.
Janice Prindle of Woodstock, Vt. and feel free to forward my remarks or use them in any way you see fit.
SupahF
This was one of the worst programs I have ever heard on NHPR. And I listen 3-4 mornings a week. Clearly Ms. Knoy was not up to the match in checking the former Representative Armey's 'facts and figures'. He was full of hate and discontent and did nothing to bring about a logical informed discussion of the major issues of the day. Mr. Armey should have been introduced for what he is, Chairman of one of the most radical right wing conservative organizations in this country today. His challenge to the caller who spoke of the administrative costs of Social Security and Medicare was just wrong. The caller had the facts right. Ms. Knoy should have picked up on this. His 'FEAR MONGERING' about the early work that Ms. Clinton did in the early years of her husbands administration is nothing but that 'Be Afraid!!' And OF WHAT may I ask. Afraid of the TRUTH.
I have considerable respect for Ms. Knoy and her usual guests but sincerely believe that she and NHPR were 'used' today on this wonderful and normally thoughtful and thought provoking program.
If your guests wish to 'promote' a single issue (like private for profit retirement programs)without an opposing point of view on the program let them buy time on a local non-public radio station or the newspaper.