Vernon Robinson will be on the Brad and Britt show tomorrow morning at 7:35. FM Talk 101.1 is the place to be.

Sources say Brad Miller will not be on the Brad and Britt show anytime soon.

Comments

[brad krantz]

Brad Miller's Communications director told me that Brad did not "like the format" of our program. I assume that means Mr. Miller objects to Britt and me asking him questions and engaging him for 20 minutes or so. But she emphasized Mr. Miller likes us and would do the show in the future. Which of course means AFTER the election. How lame and unaccountable and arrogant can an incumbent be?

[brad krantz]

Oh, I forgot to mention that I have heard that this race is much closer than Mr. Miller assumed it would be... within 10 points.

[UnitedPatriot]

Was it the format of the program they disliked, or the format of the interview?

Robinson was supposed to do an interview with Miller and Allen Johnson of the News and Record, but Robinson backed out. (any reason why?)

I called the Miller camp today, and they said that they already have accepted 3 debates within the district.

Looks like Miller is more in tuned with shaking hands and listened to the needs of the 13th district, while Robinson is still trying to find out where the district is.

Since Robinson feels that he is such as great debater, does that make him a "Master-Debater"

[John Burns]

so brad, you think maybe you could let your listeners in on what format was offered to Representative Miller instead of playing this little ego-boosting game of insult-the-Congressman?

[John Burns]

Anyone that knows Brad Miller knows that "lame, unaccountable and arrogant" describes someone other than him. The guy is the most down to earth politician you'll ever meet.

[Ed Cone]

I don't know what the story is on the interview or format, but I've got to agree with John that "arrogant" is not a word easily attached to Brad Miller.

[gate]

Miller helped gerrymander his US House district for himself while in the NC State Legislature. We can't really hold that against him. But after hearing him speak his talk of bipartisanship rings hollow with us. While we don't like how he delivers his message, we agree with more of Robinson's than Miller's.

[Bubba]

"....but I've got to agree with John that "arrogant" is not a word easily attached to Brad Miller."

Not to him, but just to his campaign, huh?

[John Burns]

"While we don't like how he delivers his message, we agree with more of Robinson's than Miller's..."

Who is we?

[Britt Whitmire]

The format was...

Vernon speaks for 15 minutes, then hangs up.

Brad speaks for 15 minutes (after Vernon) then hangs up.

But, maybe that's not as cool as posting on Daily Kos.

[Britt Whitmire]

PS: I understand Longworth's column in this week's "Yes!" will look at Miller's arrogance from firsthand experience.

[brad krantz]

No need for any of you people to get so damn defensive. The fact is, that with 5 weeks to go before the election, BM declined an opportunity to appear on the only radio station whose signal covers the entire 13th district and will let his opponent define him even more. And, Mr. Burns, no "format" was offered other than us talking to the guest. Next time I won't be so presumptuous and will offer to submit questions in advance so as to make the Congressman feel comfortable. Apparently he's afriad of a "hit job" like Clinton got from Chris Wallace.

[Mick Riggs]

I listened in on the last 10 minutes or so. Mr Robinson comes across much more "normal" than his radio spots, etc would lead some to believe. I thought B&B were fair and honest with VR. They attempted to keep VR on track even though he often times veered to his talking points. B&B basically forced him to answer a question about his thoughts on Iraq.

Good job guys. Informative.

[chip atkinson]

Robinson has much better credentials - I think his commercials are funny, but work against him in the middle ground. As for Miller, he can't afford to be seen or heard near Robinson because Robinson's views are more in line with the majority.

Here- on the blogosphere- Miller is at home . Thats a telling sign, because Greensboro's Democratic voting bloggers represent the extreme left of the party. (Including Lex- who is registered Republican).

[Anglico]

No need for any of you people to get so damn defensive. The fact is, that with 5 weeks to go before the election, BM declined an opportunity to appear on the only radio station whose signal covers the entire 13th district and will let his opponent define him even more.

Talk about arrogant!

Miller is going to hand the Vermin Lunatic his proverbial ass (again) on November 7th, and the "only radio station whose signal covers the entire 13th district" is irrelevant to the outcome.

Maybe you could share some ratings information with us. For example, how many of your listeners can actually read?

[Roch101]

Gee, let's see:

- Hate and fear-mongering are funny.
- Registered Republicans considered to be on the extreme left
- An ex-Winston-Salem city council representative who doesn't live in the district he seeks to represent is considered more credentialed than an incumbent congressman who lives in his district.

Who really is on the fringe here?

[Roch101]

For what it's worth, I listen to Brad and Britt when I can. I can read and write; and I vote. Miller should have gone on their show.

[PotatoStew]

Chip, what are some views that are representative of the "extreme left" that you feel the majority of GSO's "Democratic voting bloggers" - and Lex - exhibit? (I'm assuming by "Democratic voting bloggers" you mean "bloggers who tend to vote for Democrats - correct me if I'm wrong.)

[Britt Whitmire]

It probably very frustrating for Miller supporters that they have to defend Miller from Vernon's attacks when the congressman himself doesn't to want to answer those same attacks in kind.

Our listeners read just fine.

Writing...
that's another story. More of them need to write "Brad and Britt" in those neat-o diaries that Arbitron mails to them.

[Britt Whitmire]

TAKE TWO:

It's probably very frustrating for Miller supporters that they have to defend Miller from Vernon's attacks when the congressman himself doesn't seem to want to answer those same attacks in kind.

[Ed Cone]

Answer them in kind?

I would hope note.

Answer them, sure. But not in the tone that defines them.

[Connie Mack Jr]

Our listeners read just fine.* Britt

Is that a proven test under your " leave no listener behind program" Britt?

[Mick Riggs]

Nice debating style there Anglico. Sure didnt prove anyone's point about blogging Lefties there! You and VR are same peas just differant pods!

CM - once again you add NOTHING of substance.

Miller should go on the show.

[Bubba]

Ah, the Roch and Stew Tag Team, defending their LGBBC title belts against the Phantom Menace!

Good entertainment value, but no substance behind the words, as usual.

[PotatoStew]

Chip has elsewhere said he does not consider me part of the LGBBC (as the originator of that term, I defer to his judgement), so I'm not defending anything. Just trying to see what Chip considers "extreme left". I haven't made any arguments or claims yet, so certainly there is no "substance" behind what I've written here.

[Anglico]

Shoot. I'm sorry. I didn't realize this was a "debate" that required any style. I thought this was just a forum for whining by oppressed members of the Main Stream Media who got upset because a candidate didn't kowtow properly. My mistake.

[Mick Riggs]

*Warning* Opinion coming: Appearing with local media outlets in your district is not kowtowing.

Miller is becoming known for dodging media appearances with a less than perfect (for him) style, criteria or forum. As the incumbent he enjoys this perk. However, it appears to be coming back to bite him. Do not underestimate the immigration issue on which VR bases his entire candidacy.

All that said: I dont live in the district nor do I particularly care for VR.

[Doug H]

Pardon me for being obtuse. What is the LGBBC?

[John Burns]

"Robinson has much better credentials"

Since when did being a gadfly and repeatedly losing elections for offices well over your abilities constitute being qualified? Vernon Robinson is spectacularly unqualified for Congress. Spectacularly. For one thing, it helps for a Congressman to be able to deal rationally with people on the other side of an issue. Robinson is incapable of that.

Brad Miller is an accomplished attorney, a City Council member, a former chairman of a major metropolitan county Democratic Party, a multi-term State Senator with enormous respect on both sides of the aisle and a two term incumbent Representative.

How exactly does an obnoxious failed Alderman stand up to that?

I haven't spoken to the Congressman about this, but I would say that a good reason not to appear on your program right after Robinson is that it is detrimental to civil society to give his views the credibility they do not deserve by responding directly to them.

As for whether the Congressman will now go on your show, I have no idea, but your tactics here I am sure do you no good at all. Why should he now come on a show with two guys who have insulted him on a prominent blog?

[Joe Guarino]

Miller is using the tactic frequently employed by incumbents of refusing to give the opposition a chance to compare favorably. This often occurs when the incumbent perceives he is ahead in the race.

I think the big issue in this race is Miller's voting record. As I demonstrated in a previous post over at my blog, his 2005 voting record was as far to the left as measurement would permit. It was farther to the left than that of Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an avowed socialist.

That is an extreme voting record, and it needs to be discussed. In fact, it is entirely possible that Miller's voting record may be located at the more extreme position on the ideological spectrum than Robinson's would be-- because it is not mathematically possible that Robinson's voting record could be more extreme than Miller's according to the ADA/ACU criteria.

[Ed Cone]

LGBBC is an acroymn Chip made up to lump together people to whom he is losing in a debate.

I believe the L stands for "liberal."

It is a way of pretending that people who disagree with him don't think for themselves.

[Gate]

Miller is so far left that when Nancy Pelosi looks right the first thing she sees is him.

[Roch101]

"What is the LGBBC?"

It is the antithesis of the BDGBC.

[Doremus Jessup]

waiting for both candidates to put up You Tube interviews

[David Hoggard]

Best as I can recall, LGBBC stands for Liberal Gay Booster Basher's Club - it has three members... and they are all quite confused.

Actually, I forgot what it stands for exactly, (L)iberal - (Daring, Darling something like that for the "D")- Greensboro - (I forget the next B... could be Babysitters?) - Club.

Help us out here, Chip... It was a pigeonhole of your making.

[Britt Whitmire]

One of the common traits of a liberal (according to the extreme right) is a lack of appreciation for (and often outright disgust with) the military and veterans. Here, we see Mr. Miller getting a perfect 100% score from the Disabled American Veterans:

http://www.americansforsharedsacrifice.org/House_DAV_Votes.htm

You'll note that all the perfect scores are from Democrats (which probably opens up the DAV to criticism that they are a squishy bunch of homo-loving commies). Here's an explanation of how the scorecard works:

http://www.nvtoday.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=102&Itemid=31

My sincere apologies to the (Charles) Taylor campaign. As some of you may have heard this morning, I said that Mr. Taylow got a zero ("0") from the DAV, when you can clearly see here, he registers 13%.

DANG IT! There I go defending Congressman Miller again! It might be so much better if he OPENED HIS OWN MOUTH AND DID IT!!

[ACB]

Vernon Robinson was an Eagle Scout, graduated from the Air Force Academy with a degree in Middle Eastern Affairs. He also has an MBA, was an intelligence officer in the military, and was a professor for 10 years. He also was an alderman on the Winston-Salem City Council. Considering his military experience alone, he is more qualified than Brad Miller.

[Cara Michele]

FYI: LGBBC stands for "Liberal Greensboro Bloggers Buddy Club." I had forgotten too, so I Googled it and found it on one of Chip's old posts.

Roch, Chip's not the only one who laughed at a Robinson commercial. I talked to some people about the "Twilight Zone" commercial. The liberals thought it was hateful and wrong and the conservatives thought it was funny and well done. The conservatives were the target audience, so apparently the ad was effective.

I won't be voting for Miller or Robinson. I live in Coble's district. I'm not even sure we hold an election in the 6th district anymore. I think we all just sort of assume Howard's the man until he tells us otherwise. ;)

[Anglico]

With all due respect, there's no such thing as a "degree in Middle Eastern Affairs" that can be earned at the Air Force Academy. Like the US Naval Academy (where I graduated), the Air Force Academy grants Bachelor of Science degrees. Period.

When I first heard Robinson was a graduate of a military academy, I had an immediate inclination to consider him a worthy candidate for public office. I thought he must have developed at least a modicum of discipline and integrity. As I've watched his campaign unfold, it's clear my initial instinct was very sadly wrong.

[ACB]

From Anglico at BlueNC:

"Apparently, one of the show's hosts is all upset because the good Congressman had better things to do than get ambushed by shock jocks this morning. Can you imagine?"

B&B shock jocks? Obviously this guy has never really listened to the show.

He also plays games with the truth about VR's degree. Technically, he is correct, however, the USAF offers a B.S. in Middle Eastern Studies.

http://fpnew.ccit.arizona.edu/mesassoc/Directory/USAirforceAcademy.htm

[chip atkinson]

Sorry to have missed much of this. Potato Stew is not in the LGBBC because he does not insult or berate anyone. But he is liberal, and so is Lex.

Why does the LGBBC ignore Guarino's charges? Facts are hard to hide.

Ed- I don't recall ever losing a debate with you or anyone else on the left. (Though I have admitted a error from time to time.) As Cara Michelle was kjnd enough to find one of my better posts, the LGBBC can't stand it when facts contradict them.

[PotatoStew]

To be fair, I have "berated" The Chairman and Bubba, though usually after they have first done so to me. Not that that's a stellar excuse, mind you. I try to be civil at least until met with incivility. I seem to get along fine with most everyone else from both sides of the spectrum.

[Anglico]

ACB

Thanks for the info on the Air Force Academy degrees. I'd be surprised to find that the Middle Eastern Studies program existed when 2nd Lt. Robinson graduated, but I may be wrong. I graduated in 1972, at which time Annapolis had only one degree ... a Bachelor of Science ... with no bells and whistles attached whatsoever.

[UnitedPatriot]

I think it would be interesting to talk with some folks who were in the military with him.
He was there a while, and still had a low rank....Maybe they know why a few marbles are missing in his head.
Chances are, he acidentally looked at one of their wee-wee's while in the shower, and ever since, he has been trying to prove to himself that he likes girls.

How can we find someone who served with him?

[ACB]

"Chances are, he acidentally looked at one of their wee-wee's while in the shower, and ever since, he has been trying to prove to himself that he likes girls."

Nothing like a little gay bashing from a liberal- even though VR isn't gay.

[chip atkinson]

PS - I just posted an answer to what is liberal question on my site in the form of a Foxworthy observation. Here's just a snippet-
If you believe abstinance doesn't work...
If you hate George Bush...
If you are believe in taxing the poor to pay for our kid's education, (the NC Lottery), is a good thing...
If you believe in more taxes...
If you trust the Government with more tax revenue, while believing that Bush and most Repuplicans lie...

[Connie Mack Jr]

CM - once again you add NOTHING of substance.*Mick Riggs

I must have! Since it appears that you capped " NOTHING" which clearly shows a emotional substance reponse on the net.

So how long have you have this internet blogging problem?

[John Burns]

As usual, Guarino is being misleading.

Here is a page which shows Brad Miller's rating by nearly every interest group. If this is how you want to measure a poltician, by how many times he agrees with this or that single-interest group then this is the site to go to: http://www.vote-smart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=BS032963

That dastardly liberal Brad Miller voted with the Chamber of Commerce 43 percent of the time. THe guy you called a socialist voted with the NC Federation of Independent businesses 50 percent of the time.

Now, this is just silly. I don't care how often some interest group to the left or right, or for the gravel association or the national association of rubber carpet matting thinks a Congressman backed them up. I know Brad Miller, Brad Miller has the best interests of North Carolina at heart, and he has done a bang up jobn as a Congressman.

Furthermore, Brad has been one of the most active Congressman in seeking to hold government accountable for how it spends tax money and for how it uses and abuses federally-funded science. But he has gotten stymied every step of the way by the Administration, which for some reason does not believe in Congressional oversight of expenditures.

Give Brad a chairmanship and you'll have a new Harry Truman, who General Marshall once said was worth two whole divisions in World War II based solely on the money saved through the oversight of Pentagon expenditures.

Vermin Robinson would use Congress as a place to advance an extreme right-wing agenda that was too embarrassing even for the Fifth District, a place that considers Virginia Foxx to be acceptable.

Vernon Robinson - he doesn't live here.

[John Burns]

pardon my typos

[johnb]

I don't know that I'd buy into the rhetorical excesses, 'a new Harry Truman' / 'Vermin Robinson', but on the whole Burns you're dead right.

I've taken to referring to him as the 'ever regretable Vernon Robinson'. The man is simply unfit for Congress or any public office. This is what happens in uncompetitive races, Crackpots step in when the out of power party fails to field a reasonable candidate.

I'm sure you would disagree Burns, but Miller needs a reasonable, competitive opponent. All seats should have at least two viable, acceptable candidates of opposing views. Not just to give the voters a choice but to keep the individual candidates sharp and grounded in the issues of their district. Uncompetitive seats tend to make arrogant, unaccountable politicians and apathetic voters.