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Ney's New Role? Right-Wing Radio Talk Show Host
A second act for our old friend Bob Ney.
Starting today, the former Ohio GOP congressman will be hosting a midday chat show on a right-wing West Virginia radio station, WVLY AM 1370, according to the station's web site.
In the show, which will air weekdays from 1pm to 3pm and can be heard in the southeastern part of the Buckeye state, Ney will focus on "ethics, earmarks, prison reform and Ohio politics."
There's no doubt he's an expert on those subjects. Ney served 17 months in jail after pleading guilty in 2006 to conspiracy and making false statements in connection to the Jack Abramoff lobbyist scandal.
In fact, Ney also has some experience on the wireless. While in the slammer, he reportedly signed on to work with the liberal Washington DC-based Talk Radio News Service.
And Glenn Thrush at Politico notes that another crooked Republican, G. Gordon Liddy has built a successful career as a radio talker.
So perhaps there's hope for Ney too.
Josh
Zachary
But can he hold his finger over an open flame until his flesh burns?
No? Then he's not in the same certified nutcase category as The G-Man.
April 13, 2009 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
While the finger-over-an-open-flame-until-the-flesh-burns is an excellent test of fealty for right-wing radio hosts, I think you're equating one of Liddy's many fantasies with reality. He is, and has always been, a third-rate self-aggrandized bagman. His only real accomplishment, as far as I can tell, is that he finagled his 20-year sentence into a commutation from Jimmy Carter. (Go figure? Carter was serving the greater good?) Liddy's a punk, like North, Colson, Bush (all), et al ad infinitum. Has he ever crossed Limbaugh?
I suspect Ney has learned a thing or two, the major one being that the system (and people) he believed would protect him didn't. I'm sure his experience was educational, if not enlightening. No doubt his certified nutcase credentials are surely diminished as a result, and his career in wingnut radio is limited.
It's too bad. America needs as many felonious politicians broadcasting as technologically possible. But is there enough time in the day?
April 14, 2009 12:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
I've heard Ney a bunch of times as a guest on Air America. He's not a nutcase. He makes a case that his own party went after him when he opposed the drive to war with Iran. Obviously he could be trying to sucker Air America hosts and listeners, but he did so at the risk of alienating the right.
And he didn't excuse his behavior with Abramoff. He's not like Liddy, who admits he did it but won't admit it was wrong.
April 13, 2009 6:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'll back this up. Ney has been working for Talk Radio News since his release, and his conversations with Thom Hartmann have been candid and not at all right-wing wacky. Barring pressure from his employers for wacky ratings, Ney could surprise us all.
April 13, 2009 7:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Still more hopeful is the fact that WVLY's schedule is pretty balanced, including (along with a local super-patriot -- who may actually own the station -- and Dennis Miller) Stephanie Miller and non-political programming like two hours of Radio Mystery Theater and Joey Reynolds -- more like old-fashioned, small-town full-service radio.
I'll be recording his show for the next few days (WVLY streams MP3 audio) and see whether he's interested in using his radio career to make amends.
April 13, 2009 7:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why do Republican felons get their own radio shows? (Liddy, Ollie North, Bob Ney) Does it provide a frisson of naughty for the tight laced hypocrites who listen? Or is it the spirit of IOKIYAR?
If I steal and squeal will I appeal?
April 13, 2009 7:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
You forgot Limbaugh.
April 14, 2009 8:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Why do Republican felons get their own radio shows"
Because Republican nut cases are not the ONLY folks who both listen to these clowns, but also either purchase goods from their advertisers, or at the least, do not let the advertisers know they are refusing to purchase their products...
Oh, yeh, the word is apathy...
April 14, 2009 12:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's interesting!! In my country, there are some retired politicians have host their own talk show on the radio channels. But, I do not hear yet any felonious politician of my country host a radio talk show like Bob Ney.
Can someone tell me is there any unlicensed radio station operate their own shows in the U.S? Because an existing regulation flaw is obviously out there in my country. A few unlicensed radio stations takes advantage of this loophole in radio regulation to represent one political party against the other party at any political issues.
April 15, 2009 2:18 AM | Reply | Permalink