By Dan Kennedy • The press, politics, technology, culture and other passions

Howie Carr writes checks, too

I’m late with this, but I want to point out that Adam Gaffin of Universal Hub recently reported that Boston Herald columnist Howie Carr donated $100 to Royall Switzler, an unsuccessful Republican candidate for state representative in his hometown of Wellesley.

Back in the day, Switzler was a legislative firebrand. But his political career came to a halt after he was caught exaggerating his military record while he was running for governor in 1986.

Carr, of course, is already hopelessly compromised because of his various speaking appearances on behalf of Republicans. Just click here.

Over at the liberal blog Blue Mass. Group, people are talking about Carr’s latest line-crossing in light of Keith Olbermann’s suspension and subsequent apology.

Not to repeat what I’ve said previously, but Carr’s activism on behalf of the Republican Party is not at all unusual for a radio talk-show host, which is why I stress his Herald connection. It is very unusual for a news columnist — especially one who, like Carr, still calls Democratic politicians for comment and snickers when they decline to call him back.

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9 Comments

  1. Steve Stein

    “Over at the liberal blog Blue Mass. Group, people are talking about Carr’s latest line-crossing”

    You might want to check in on that thread and explain your position. I’m not as well-versed in the nuances of the situations.

    • Dan Kennedy

      @Steve: I’m inclined not to. BMG has its good points, but I feel as though every time I try, I get sucked into a mind-numbing argument with someone who won’t use his real name.

  2. Steve Stein

    Heh. I know what you mean.

    • Dan Kennedy

      But I couldn’t resist. I just posted. We’ll see what happens.

  3. Lou Gawab

    “Carr, of course, is already hopelessly compromised…”

    Compromised as WHAT? A talk-show host?

    A columnist who is paid to have an opinion?

    Puh-leese…..

  4. Steve Stein

    Thanks for the comment over at BMG. It’s the most concise summary of the need for journalistic independence I’ve seen yet.

  5. Dan, TY for surmising in a few words how I feel these days and why I will no longer partake of online debate on any political Websites these days and this, coming from a political and public policy junkie: “I’m inclined not to. BMG has its good points, but I feel as though every time I try, I get sucked into a mind-numbing argument with someone who won’t use his real name.”

  6. BP Myers

    @Dan Kennedy says: I get sucked into a mind-numbing argument with someone who won’t use his real name.

    That an argument is mind-numbing has nothing to do with whether or not people use their real names. An argument will stand or fall of its own merit whether it’s with Doris Kearns Goodwin or jpg1961.

  7. Bob Nelson

    Yes, I remember Royal Switzler and Howie conveniently didn’t mention his little scandal. I called him Royal Swindler. BMG by the way was the folks who jumped to conclusions about Sweeney and Malone taking over Finneran and Feinburg’s WRKO
    show…and the blogosphere erupted.

    Carr, who is unenrolled, has spoken for Republican candidates for years (and even put in a good word for Democrats like
    Mary Ellen Manning). I remember he spoke on behalf of
    (unsuccessful GOP LG candidate) Richie Tisei way back when.

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