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12/10: A talk with Herman Cain, new WSB-AM host
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
WSB-AM just last year gave black conservative speaker Herman Cain a Saturday show and a spot as Neal Boortz’s primary sub. Now he’s getting his own evening weekday radio show, a major vote of confidence for the former Senatorial candidate and ex-CEO of Godfather’s Pizza. He starts January 2, taking Michael Savage’s slot while Savage moves to 10 p.m. where Chris Krok used to be.
“I’m excited,” Cain said. “It’s quite a compliment.”
He’s on several corporate boards (AGCO, Hallmark, Whirlpool), is a regular on Fox News Channel and does speeches all over the country. Like Neal Boortz, he’s philosophically a Libertarian with a conservative bent: “I support less government, less taxes and more individual responsibility.” He also big on fighting the war on terror, strong national security and the fair tax.
Cain, who will air from 7 to 10 p.m. weeknights, said about 70 percent of his night-time show will parallel that of his show when he subs for Neal. Those are the national topics. But he will also talk about local issues such as the Grady Hospital crisis or Atlanta traffic that may not necessarily interest a national audience. He said he’s especially good at taking complex issues and making them understandable to a broad audience.
“Neal’s style and approach is different but we are very closely aligned relative to where we stand,” he said. Are there any substantive differences? “I’m not sure if our favorite ice cream flavors match,” he joked.
Boortz, who I caught on the phone on Friday afternoon, said the radio affiliates (he has more than 300 now) like Cain, so he’ll continue to be Boortz’s primary substitute. “He has credibility,” Boortz said. “Look at his business record. He’s not just someone on the air. He’s not just talking about it. He’s done it and continues to do it,”
He notes that Cain being good at business and being a good on-air personality is “an odd combination” that somehow works. “Maybe he can take over my show and I can go ahead and retire,” said Boortz, who is actually younger than Cain. “He’s older but he wants to work longer than I do.” (Seriously, there’s no real sign that Boortz is going to retire anytime soon.)
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By Terri
December 7, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this
Hermain Cain is older than Neal Boortz? I never would have guessed.
By Bud
December 10, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
His show might do OK, but he’ll have to add some other angles to his show or he’ll be too much like Neal to hold the listener’s interest.
By Dave
December 10, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
As usual, the AJC has to bring race into an article. Does Cynthia Tucker have to approve this before it’s posted?
By TeacherMan
December 10, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
I like Herman Cain politically speaking, but his persona on the radio is just a little too tiring. He never seems to have good counters against people who disagree with him. He just has remarks like, “Hmmm…you make a good point.” WSB should just do re-boortz from 7-10
By Jake
December 10, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
A black Neal Bortz? How un-interesting…
By Boomer
December 10, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this
Herman Cain is a nice guy (and very successful). However, We Suck & Blither or WSB radio probably should have gone after the Kimmer and brought (and bought) him out of retirement. He would really add local flavor, comedy and controversy.
By PT
December 11, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this
Herman is only a few months younger. He jokingly calls Boortz “Uncle Neal” for that reason.
I would love to see The Kimmer back but he wasn’t very entertaining without Wayne, The Newsmaker Line, etc.
By Disappointed
December 11, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
I didn’t realize Chris was gone until I read the blogs (don’t know why, yet)but I’ve been tuning in once or twice in the evening and noticed he wasn’t on. More Sean. More Cain. Just more of the same. I’ve no doubt that Cain is an intelligent and nice guy, but I’m sorry, he’s a crashing bore and on night time it’s going to be worse. For whatever reason, WSB won’t give Royal another chance. He did need a bit of polish, but he’s local and entertaining and involved in his community. Sure, I’d even rather have the Kimmer, who’s amusing at times, but at that time slot, I’d really love to have Phil Hendrie or Handle on the Law. Amuse and inform us in the wee hours. God knows, it doesn’t matter who WGST has because you can’t get the signal if you’re out of the gen. mgr’s private restroom. But now WSB isn’t giving us much of a choice, either. Idiotic. I guess I’ll just find what I want on my computer.
By Boomer
December 11, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this
WGST is just a little pimple on the big butt of radio. When I suggested the Kimmer, I meant to include Wayne (No Offense!), Snake Davis, and “The Newsmaker Line”. Put that crew on WSB’s signal, especially during drive time or even later, and WSB’s ratings would probably skyrocket. Just the opinion of a baby boomer who has been listening to radio for over 50 years.
By I. Truth
December 12, 2007 2:01 AM | Link to this
Wow how surprising big corporate media hires a man that sits on several corporate boards. I’ll guess he will continue to put out the conservative, corporate apologist propaganda that WSB and Cox Enterprises is known for. Thanks for aiming so high. Keep up the good work!
By what?
December 12, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this
i come back from VACA and Krok is gone? What happened?
By Paul
December 18, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
What happened to Chris Krok? Did they drop him or did he move to another city/radio station?
By AtlantaJJ
December 18, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
Dag, Krok…what the heck happened? Oh well, I love Herman, wonderful man but I think he’s going to be boring, especially at night… I am going to miss Savage! I’ll be in bed when he comes on. Why oh why won’t they get Royal back on the air, he was the best!
By Will Jones
December 20, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this
WSB, a great radio station, can do better.
Cain is a corporate toady - Pillsbury or General Mills, iirc - unloaded when his token expired, by being given the Godfather’s Pizza gig. He didn’t build it and he didn’t earn it.
Anyone stupid enough to support the draft-dodging, racist, 9/11-committing, Closet-Queen-in-Chief, then, or now, is really lacking in the ol’ brain muscle, common sense, patriotism, and character departments.
By Crazy Diamond
December 20, 2007 7:43 AM | Link to this
I have refused to listen to Michael Savage and told WSB so along time ago.
With Savage gone, I may listen again in the PM time slot.
By Crazy Diamond
December 20, 2007 7:44 AM | Link to this
I have refused to listen to Michael Savage and told WSB so along time ago.
With Savage gone, I may listen again in the PM time slot.
By Denise
December 20, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this
I am a HUGE Michael Savage fan and loyal listener. Nothing against Mr. Cain, but I would prefer to keep Dr. Savage in the 7:00 spot. When he is moved to 10:00, the show will no longer be live. With a move like this, I will not be surprised if The Savage Nation will be dropped all together. I will not listen after then. Atlanta is too “bumpkin” for the Savage Nation. I was born and raised here and I am blessed to have been able to travel the world. When I come home I realize how pitiful the minds are here…from ALL angles. I still love my country though. Merry Christmas to you all.