Posted on 02/26/2006 2:07:27 PM PST by wagglebee
t's pretty clear that ABC Radio is preparing former Senator Fred Thompson to replace radio legend Paul Harvey.
The 87-year-old Harvey has made no announcement about retiring, but financial analysts have complained that ABC has not made adequate plans for his departure.
On Friday, ABC News Radio, America's largest commercial radio news organization, officially named former Senator Fred Thompson to the position of Special Program Host and Senior Analyst beginning in the Spring of 2006.
Thompson, a Republican from Tennessee, well-known for his acting roles on television's Law & Order, will be based from ABC News Radio's Washington, D.C. bureau.
Thompson will host ABC News Radio specials and programs. He will provide commentary and analysis of politics, policy, national security, and current affairs.
The release also noted that Thompson will also fill-in for Paul Harvey when the legendary radio host is on vacation.
"Senator Thompson's contribution to ABC News Radio will offer our affiliates additional depth from a recognized and trusted public figure," said David Westin, President of ABC News.
A practicing attorney, Thompson has been a figure on the national political stage since the 1970s when he served as minority counsel to the Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities ("Watergate Committee") from 1973-1974. He was later elected as a Republican to the United States Senate from Tennessee in the November 8, 1994, special election to fill the unexpired portion of the term ending January 3, 1997, left vacant by the resignation of Albert Gore, Jr. Thompson served in the Senate until 2003.
"We are thrilled to welcome Senator Thompson to the ABC Radio family and look forward to developing a variety of exciting projects that will benefit from his depth of talent," said John McConnell, Senior Vice President of Programming, ABC Radio Networks.
"Throughout my life, radio has always held a certain fascination for me, and I am very eager to lend my efforts to ABC News Radio," Thompson said. "I look forward to working with the experienced team at ABC News."
Senator Thompson was Chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. He also served on the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee. During his public career, Thompson has been a frequent guest on virtually every national radio and television news broadcast.
"Senator Thompson will host his first program this Memorial Day, focusing on America's brave servicemen and women," said Steve Jones, Vice President and General Manager of ABC News Radio.
Thompson began his motion picture career in 1985 and has appeared in numerous television episodes and motion pictures, including The Hunt for Red October (1990), Cape Fear (1991) and In the Line of Fire (1993). Thompson is noted for his portrayals of authoritative characters. Thompson holds a B.A. from Memphis State University and a J.D. degree from Vanderbilt University 1967.
"McClane, in two hours those planes aren't gonna be circling, they're gonna be dropping on the White House lawn. I mean, this is Fred Thompson. Good day!"
I had forgotten about that.
When Paul Harvey signs off for the last time, I will miss him terribly. We moved a lot when I was a kid, and the one thing that made me feel normal in a new town was finding the radio station that carried Paul Harvey. When I could hear his voice, I was "home".
If Thompson wants to copy Democrat paul harvey aurandt, he needs to steal an Air Force plane, and get a bad conduct with Section 8 discharge, and then pad his resume with "I was a Hero/WWll pilot" subplot.
Clinton certainly deserved impeachment IMO, but impeaching him would have made Gore the incumbent president in the 2000 election. That edge might have been enough to get Gore elected. Yuk. Perhaps Thompson made the wise choice after all.
He's a good actor, and his voice and demeanor would do a good job in radio...but I got zero respect for the guy.
Paul Harvey is a gauranteed channel changer for me
But maybe if we did what was right and true, maybe this would have ruined the incumbents chances also...
Perhaps...
Mike Pence for President.
Paul Harvey, Karl Haas... who else has been on the radio for forever?
Good, no more melodrama and overacting from Paul Harvey Jr. filling in for daddy.
I just love listening to Fred Thompson talk. I bet he'd be good on the radio.
Interesting. Fred Thompson has excellent diction and a very pleasant voice. He should be a good radio broadcaster.
I've been saying that for a long time.
Don't feel bad, nobody else knows either. Thompson, I would love, but he hasn't even looked at the money end. Nowadays, if you don't hit New Hampshire with $20 million or so, fuggedabowdit. Thompson has not shown an inkling of interest, but what an attractive notion...
"You trade paint one more time, you so much as touch, I'm gonna Black Flag the two of you, and tear apart your racecars for three-hundred laps. Then, if you pass inspection and you put your cars back together, I might let you back into the race."
If you check the news cycle with any regularity, then you certainly will not hear anything new on a Paul Harvey newscast. They say, "it's all in the delivery", and that about sums up the attraction. I like him personally, but I quit listening years ago.
Carrying ABC News is a requirement for carrying the Paul Harvey program (which only runs 15minutes).
I know stations that had to drop Paul Harvey because they simply could not tolerate carrying ABC News anymore.
I don't see the need for a replacement for Paul Harvey. ANYONE can offer a new program. Unplug the Mass Media dinosaur and stop letting them dictate the agenda.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.