Ricochet Podcast #94: Show Biz And Politics
Our old friend and political strategist extraordinaire Mike Murphy joins us to parse the Presidential race in minute detail (Romney fans, you'll delight as Murphy argues to Robinson that Mitt really is the best choice), and Rob Long gives us an inside look at the machinations of getting a pilot picked up. Turns out it is very similar to getting a candidate elected. Apologies in advance for the intermittent audio issues on this week's show.
Music from this week's episode:
- This Is Why We Fight by The Decemberists
- Nice Work If You Can Get It by Ella Fitzgerald
The direct link to this week's episode (great for mobile devices!). But please, subscribe! Not an iTunes devotee? Visit our Feedburner page for a number of other subscription options.
Thanks to the great EJHill for the graphic.
The Ricochet Podcast is proudly sponsored by Encounter Books and their Broadside series. This week's featured title is Obama and The Crash of 2013 by Peter Ferrara. Available at EncounterBooks.com and Amazon.com.
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Re: Ricochet Podcast #94: Show Biz And Politics
Oops, Yeti sends his apologies. I think I've fixed it. Sorry it took so long!
Aug '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #94: Show Biz And Politics
Rob,
You talked about it as if the notes are based only on focus groups. Don't they do dial-testing any more?
Aug '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #94: Show Biz And Politics
Great podcast! I really love this nuts and bolts, inside-baseball kind of stuff.
Love 'em or hate 'em, Murphy tends to call it like he sees it and generally refrains from pandering to the base like many pundits (Rush, Hannity, Dick Morris, etc.).
I also like how he riles up the purists on Ricochet by injecting some reality into their carefully constructed bubble.
Oct '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #94: Show Biz And Politics
Hear, hear! I thought MM did well - except when it came to whitewashing Romney, and I thought Peter did a great job of standing up to him. These are probably related. A really great podcast. Having MM talk about the stuff he knows (rather than thinks he knows) is fascinating. More!
Jun '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #94: Show Biz And Politics
Conservatives need our own Mike Murphy. Such a smart guy and I love his point of view and candor.
However, I can't help but remember 2008 when John McCain was just the center right candidate we needed, could reach across the aisle, get things done, be a media darling, be competitive in blue states.... and then like Lucy with the football with Charlie Brown, the entire world spins on McCain, media turns on him, campaign goes adrift, and conservatives rebel with (several million of them) staying home, or refusing to vote for him.
Other than Obama having a record this time. Why would Romney be a better candidate than McCain? And if 3 million conservative stay home again - does Obama still eek out a win? I did not vote for McCain, left it blank in 2008.
But on a hot day, I do like Ice Cream... so Murphy is a political legend for good reason.
Oct '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #94: Show Biz And Politics
Sorry, but I question Mike Murphy's value to Ric because he is not central or mid, or indepentent ...he is establishment and boring...again sorry
Oct '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #94: Show Biz And Politics
This has been the worst pod cast (zero without the circle) EVER ..please forgive the infantile capitals..
Jun '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #94: Show Biz And Politics
I'm not convinced he would be...2008 Obama was a much, much more formidable opponent than 2012 Obama is likely to be, now the shine is off to some extent. Would McCain, all things being equal and his 2008 campaign "never happening" be a viable candidate in this primary? My bet is yes, he would have been. Do any of us believe that Cain, or Gingrich, or Bachmann would have taken more states than McCain did in 2008? McCain never lit the fire of the conservative base, but then, GWB has more to answer for quenching that fire over eight years.
I've listened to the podcast religiously and as a devoted fan for well over a year now, and Peter's Romney antipathy just strikes me as personal, and quite offputting...it always boils down to "he insulted you-know-who in a 1994 debate". I love you guys, and P-Rob, you rule, but with your history and your attitude towards Romney it always feels less substantive and more emotional to me, like he's done wounds to your memory of Reagan or something.
Mar '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #94: Show Biz And Politics
Roberto
...Thus as a voter of hispanic heritage I feel completely justified in despising cowards such as Mr. Murphy who refuse to make honest arguments for conservative positions and continue to insist that emulating the disgusting race pandering efforts of Democrats is the only way forward.
Mr. Murphy is indeed intelligent, but so was Machiavelli and I have no respect for him either. · Nov 16 at 7:32pm
Machiavellian demographer, that's a perfect way to describe what Murphy struck me as. I get prickly when I hear someone who's got blinders on for the electoral process, the only viewpoint he seems to have on any topic (granted they were talking electoral process, but he did say "then you break his neck in NH"). Makes me wonder how useful answers from such consultants are, whether they ever go back to run quant/qual analysis of their assumptions, and if they EVER see ANY potential for something to happen that doesn't fit their model. I might be caught up in the idea that this GOP primary is revealing a new paradigm (see http://dailycaller.com/2011/11/21/why-this-primary-season-different/), but it's worth considering/hoping.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #94: Show Biz And Politics
Once again, Mike Murphy is right on target. Please keep him coming back. I know his big doses of reality are hard to swallow, but they are essential.
I appreciate James Lileks, but his absence in this podcast highlighted how verbose he is in others. I know he has a following, and I like him in small doses, but I do enjoy hearing our guests' opinions, especially since regular podcast listeners are familiar with the views of the hosts.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #94: Show Biz And Politics
Murphy is fine--riveting, really--when he's discussing the nuts and bolts of campaigning. His instant-consultancy for Mickey Kaus on a long-ago podcast was both informative and hugely entertaining (as was Mickey's gobsmacked reaction). But as a chooser of candidates, I'll have to pass on his recommendations. The generic Republican candidate Murphy constantly pushes--a "moderate" who allegedly "appeals" to independents and thus can win general elections--has had several names in real life. Among them were "John McCain," "Bob Dole" and "Gerald Ford." The nasty, scary, unelectable conservative that Murphy seems congenitally inclined to reject was for decades known as "Ronald Reagan."