Travels from Pennsylvania, USA
Michael Smerconish's speaking fee falls within range: $25,000 to $30,000
Television and radio personality, Michael Smerconish has been analyzing politics for three decades. A familiar face to CNN viewers, he is the host of the Saturday morning show Smerconish, a former MSNBC analyst, and has guest-hosted Hardball multiple times.
Smerconish has interviewed five U.S. presidents and was the first journalist to interview Barack Obama in the White House after he had taken office. Additionally, he has conducted a high-profile interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger, dined with Fidel Castro, and moderated Bill Cosby’s only pre-trial interview. His radio show The Michael Smerconish Program, a platform for independent politics, can be heard weekday mornings on SiriusXM Channel 124.
Smerconish is the author of six books including the two New York Times best-sellers, Muzzled: From T-Ball to Terrorism, True Stories that Should Be Fiction and Murdered By Mumia: A Life Sentence of Loss, Pain and Injustice which he co-authored with Maureen Faulkner. Many of the proceeds from his books are donated to different charities.
In June 2018, Smerconish will release his seventh book, Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right which examines the post-9/11 years along with Barack Obama’s and Donald Trump’s journeys to the White House.
Smerconish graduated law school from the University of Pennsylvania and has practiced law since the early 1990s. As the Founder and President of Lehigh University’s Youth for Reagan/Bush, Smerconish was an active volunteer during Reagan and Bush’s presidential campaigns. He later served as Regional Administrator for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, under George H.W. Bush’s HUD Secretary Jack Kemp.
SIRIUSXM AND CNN HOST Michael A. Smerconish is the host of The Michael Smerconish Program on SiriusXM Channel 124, the host of CNN’s Smerconish on Saturday mornings, newspaper columnist and author.
Smerconish has often been recognized for his radio work. Talkers Magazine has consistently named him one of America’s most important talk show hosts. In 2009, prior to his syndication, Radio and Records named him the nation’s Local Personality of the Year. In 2011, the National Association of Broadcasters selected him as a Marconi Award finalist in the category of Best Network/Syndicated Host. He has often been the recipient of several (Philadelphia) Achievement in Radio awards, including Best Talk Show Host and Best Evening Program. Philadelphia Magazine has named him the City’s best talk show host, as well as one of the City’s most powerful citizens.
On August 20, 2009, Smerconish became the first radio host to interview President Barack Obama live from the White House. The thirty-minute interview was conducted in the Diplomatic Reception Room and televised live on MSNBC, CNN and Fox News. Smerconish has interviewed President Obama on seven different occasions. He has also interviewed Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as Vice Presidents Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Joe Biden.
Smerconish hosts a weekly Saturday TV program on CNN fittingly called Smerconish and in the past has been an MSNBC contributor and frequent guest-host of Hardball for Chris Matthews. He has been a guest on virtually every television program where politics is discussed, including: the NBC Today Show, Colbert Report, O’Reilly Factor, Larry King Live, The View, and Real Time With Bill Maher.
Smerconish is the author of six books, two of them New York Times’ best sellers. He donated all author proceeds from three of those manuscripts to charity. His published books are: Flying Blind: How Political Correctness Continues to Compromise Airline Safety Post 9/11 (for which he donated his proceeds to the Garden of Reflection, a 9/11 tribute garden in his native Bucks County, Pennsylvania); Muzzled: From T-Ball to Terrorism, True Stories that Should Be Fiction (a Times best seller); Murdered By Mumia: A Life Sentence of Loss, Pain and Injustice (a Times best seller which he co-authored with Maureen Faulkner and for which he donated his proceeds to the Daniel Faulkner Educational Grant Fund); Morning Drive: Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Talking; and Instinct: The Man Who Stopped the 20th Hijacker (the story of Jose Melendez-Perez, for which he donated his proceeds to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania). Additionally, through a promotional partnership with jeweler Steven Singer, Smerconish has raised in excess of $300,000.00 for the Flight 93 National Memorial. His sixth book is his first novel – TALK!
Smerconish also authors a Sunday Column in the Philadelphia Inquirer. His columns have been re-printed in various newspapers across the country, including the Washington Post, Dallas Morning-News, Denver Post, Boston Herald, Charlotte Observer, Sacramento Bee, Kansas City Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Austin American-Statesman, Savannah Morning News, Tallahassee Democrat, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Providence Journal, Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Akron Beacon Journal, Wichita Eagle, Arizona Daily Star, Green Bay Press Gazette, Winnipeg Free Press, Tallahassee Democrat, and Gulf Times (Doha, Qatar)
Smerconish became a radio and television commentator after experiences he had at an early age in Republican politics. While still in college he was an advanceman for (then) Vice President George H.W. Bush. At age 29, he was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to a sub-cabinet level position (Regional Administrator for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, where he reported to HUD Secretary Jack Kemp).
Prior to turning to broadcasting as a full-time endeavor, Smerconish practiced law for ten years with James E. Beasley, a legendary Philadelphia-based trial lawyer, who is the namesake of the Beasley School of Law at Temple University. Today Smerconish is of counsel to the Philadelphia law firm of Kline & Specter. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and remains a member of the Bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. When actively practicing law, Smerconish was a trial lawyer specializing in complex tort litigation. His work spanned various subject areas, including contracts, medical malpractice, and products liability. His clients ranged from the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police (in an action against a music group responsible for publishing an FOP photograph on an album cover that advocated the murder of police) to the City of Rome, Italy (in a contract dispute). He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Trial Lawyer’s Association.
Smerconish is a 1984 Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Lehigh University where he majored in government and journalism.
He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters when delivering a commencement address at Widener University on May 26, 2016.
He lives in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, with his wife and their four children.
Political and current events keynote speaker, Michael Smerconish explains how we went from Reagan and bipartisanship to Trump and polarization in the course of 30 years, and why, in retrospect, we should have seen it coming.
A great deal of the shift, he claims, has been driven by the media. During the 1990s, chivalrous news anchors were gradually replaced by ideology-driven pundits. Celebrities like Rush Limbaugh enjoyed superior ratings and diehard loyalty so much that politicians began to heed the media.
“The talking heads took charge of the leaders, and politicians were following the lead of men with microphones,” Smerconish states, saying that this provided the perfect political ladder for someone who himself was a maestro of publicity and incendiary talk – Donald Trump.
“All of this polarization built over the three prior decades suited him perfectly in a way that would never had been the case had he really decided to run for president in 1988,” Smerconish surmises. “He was the nation’s first nominee to mirror the talk radio/FOX News/Drudge Report/Breitbart view of the world.”
Political and current events keynote speaker, Michael Smerconish reaches people from all sides of the political spectrum. Combining on-point analysis with sharp humor, Smerconish demystifies the growing political divide in the U.S. and how we can get past party politics and start working together again for the country’s well-being. From high school students to business leaders, Smerconish’s passion and viable prescription for renewing bipartisanship has inspired audiences across the nation to re-engage in elections and politics on a grassroots to the federal level.
Divided We Stand
Michael Smerconish’s daily interaction with his listeners across the country gives him a grassroots perspective on the critical matters facing our country from the state of our economy, the budget deficit, the future of health care and immigration to the divisiveness of political partisanship and civil discourse across the country. Using the perfect blend of analysis and humor, he delivers an engaging, thought-provoking and balanced dialogue on today’s issues, and the possible long-term implications of the polarization in politics over the coming years.
“Michael appeared at our ideas conference, ThinkFest, and his talk was the highlight of the day. His speech was eye-opening and entertaining, and his message – about how we became so divided and what we can do about it – is one I wish everyone in America, whether their politics are left, right or center, could hear. Michael was smart, funny and passionate, and we got a great response from our audience.” Tom McGrath Editor, Philadelphia Magazine
“Michael Smerconish was the keynote speaker at our annual Healthcare Summit in Philadelphia. His address was professionally, informative, and topical. He is an engaging speaker and approachable. Audience feedback was very positive. I would recommend Michael to anyone considering an event speaker.” Elizabeth Campbell, LLR Partners
“In November 2017, Michael spoke at the Walkers Fundamentals seminar in New York, addressing several hundred asset management professionals. Michael was dynamic, engaging and straight to the point. He presented a well researched view of the divisions in society and managed to be both balanced and extremely passionate at the same time. The audience raved.” Ingrid Pierce, Global Managing Partner, Walkers
“Michael spoke at our client event last night and it was a huge success. His comments were entertaining, enlightening and timely. He managed to present a picture of the current political environment without alienating people on either side of the political spectrum. Michael also took the time to engage with our guests before and after his prepared remarks. People left the event feeling like they gained some new perspectives on politics in the US, and were entertained along the way. Having Michael at our event helped us strengthen relationships with existing clients, and will hopefully open the doors to some new relationships as well. ” Nick Filippo, VP Sales and Marketing, Tower Bridge Advisors
“Phila EO Group had Michael as their keynote for their recent member recruiting event in Philadelphia. EO is a group of local business owners, and we needed Michael to present a balanced program that would interest all sides. And he did. His talk on the great party divide, what causes it and what can be done about it, was balanced and informative. Members commented on the amount of insider information shared by Michael, and it gave them a clearer understanding of the power that drives the government. Michael was also very generous with his time answering follow up questions, and even posing for individual pictures. Thanks again Michael for a fantastic evening.” Bob Simpson, EO Philadelphia Learning Chair
“Michael was the keynote speaker for our 2017 Annual Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, NV in early October and kicked off our event. Our attendees were excited to hear from him and to say that Michael exceeded expectations is an understatement. His delivery was flawless, energetic and entertaining. His synthesis and illustration of the substantial issues that confront our country were compelling and, as promised, refreshingly independent. Michael basically articulated what everyone was thinking. We have hosted many high profile speakers over our 30 years of Conferences but none have provided such straightforward insight in such an easily engaging and humorous style. We would have listened for several more hours had circumstances allowed.” Edward P. D’Alessio, Executive Director, Financial Service Centers of America (FiSCA)
“The evaluation results for Mr. Smerconish’s presentation were exceptional. Our members were attentive and engaged throughout his speech due to his innate ability to resonate and connect with the audience. His impartial perspective, relevant observations, and personal experiences provided a compelling analysis of our country’s political landscape. And as an added bonus, he even offered persuasive ideas as to what we can do to make the system work again. It was a “grand slam” event thanks to Mr. Smerconish’s presentation. A quote by an attendee sums up the sentiments of the audience — “He was fabulous and I could have listened to him forever.” Anne Marie Matteo Chief Executive Officer, Suburban West Realtors® Association
“With so many conferences being offered, the decision isn’t always about the budget, but your ROI! That ROI is multiplied when you attend and/or produce a conference that has a line-up of keynote speakers to inspire, inform and energize. That’s what Washington Speakers Bureau provided with Michael Smerconish for our annual conference. Michael was not only a dynamic speaker but also an engaging personality and very well received by all. He took time for photos with our attendees too as well as book signing and commentary. He was exceptional in every way.” PerformRX
“Michael delivered the Howard Steele lecture at the 2017 annual meeting of the Scoliosis Research Society. The lecture is endowed to invite a speaker on a topic outside of medicine. Smerconish delivered beyond our wildest expectations. To an audience of 1000, many whom are critical reviewers and deliver many speeches, all were glued to the speaker and the message. It speaks to Michaels style – comfortable, immensely knowledgable , humorous and engaging. He defined the problem, presented data as well as charming anecdotes, and offered some potential solutions. The grade: A+.” Todd Albert, President Scoliosis Research Society Surgeon In Chief, Hospital for Special Surgery, NY, NY
“During the last week of August 2017, Steel Market Update hosted our 7th SMU Steel Summit Conference for 660 manufacturing and steel distribution executives and Smerconish comments kept our attendees in their seats and glued to his every word.
Americans today are more likely to accept their child marrying a person of a different race than a person of a different political affiliation. Political “party-ism” is the new form of discrimination. It’s observations like this that make Michael Smerconish so interesting and engaging. He really puts the nation’s political divide into perspective and offers hope for the future. We highly recommend Smerconish for a fair and balanced view of the political divide that is the U.S.A. today.” John Packard President & CEO, Steel Market Update
“Michael Smerconish was the keynote speaker for our national conference of healthcare leaders, and his comments were superb. His visit coincided with the Senate’s widely publicized debate over Repeal and Replace, and Michael shared insights that were illuminating for our audience. As one of our guests noted, ‘Michael was a voice of reason in a cacophony of partisanship.” Thornton Kirby, President/CEO – The South Carolina Hospital Association (regarding a speech to the American Hospital Association leadership summit.)
“Michael Smerconish was the perfect guest speaker for our fundraiser. Great story teller. Engaging. Topical. Entertaining. Insightful. Approachable. We had a wonderful evening discussing politics and current political issues with Michael Smerconish that was pragmatic and substantive without being personal. Very refreshing.” Bruce D. Armon, President – Congregation Adath Jeshurun, Elkins Park, PA
“Michael Smerconish was the absolute hit of our annual meeting of bioscience financial officers. When you assemble close to 200 financial executives in one room at a time they are pondering what Washington will do next with healthcare, who are you going to call? Someone whose inside the beltway knowledge and unmatched storytelling abilities can light up a room. Michael did this and more.” Lou Arcudi, Co-Chair of 2017 ABFO National Conference
“Michael Smerconish’s talk at one of our recent events was absolutely superb. The audience was composed of individuals who are politically engaged and his remarks hit exactly the right tone. He was witty, insightful, impartial, and tremendously knowledgeable about the politics of the Commonwealth and the US. Highly recommend him.” Gene Barr, President – National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA)
“Michael Smerconish’s keynote speech kicked off our annual conference this year and set the tone for what most of our members considered our best program ever. Michael’s unbiased approach to today’s political issues presented with humor, whit and sincerity were not only entertaining but thought provoking and enlightening. Extremely pleased we were fortunate enough to have him be part of our program this year and look forward to having him back in the near future.” Chris Miller, President and CEO – Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
“Michael Smerconish’s presentation to Illinois Farm Bureau’s Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference was perfection. Our members couldn’t stop talking about the amount of information that was shared within a speech that kept them entertained and enthused. Our association is non-partisan and we try to provide different sides of stories to our membership. Michael did a wonderful job of opening our member’s eyes to new ideas while explaining his thought process. Michael was well received with this group of Illinois farmers.” Richard Guebert, Jr., President, Illinois Farm Bureau
“Michael Smerconish’s keynote address at our IMPACT conference 3 weeks after the election was the talk of the conference. His analysis of Trump’s disruptive win and Clinton’s surprising loss shed light on the political climate that has been brewing over the past 30 years. Smerconish told an unbiased, relatable story that resonated with our audience. His insights were crucial to our attendee’s understanding of the current social landscape effecting their businesses.” Sean Denham, Office Managing Partner – Philadelphia, Grant Thornton LLP
“Michael Smerconish’s presention was well-received. The Attendees were engaged and interested. Afterwords, attendees said they loved it and could have listened for another hour.” Kevin J Crenny, Vice President – Federated Securities Corp
“Michael Smerconish gave a riveting keynote address that captivated the audience and sparked many thoughtful conversations. He has great insights into our contemporary political culture and shared them in a thoughtful, very entertaining way. I assumed he’d make an excellent presentation; I was thrilled that his work exceeded my already high expectations.” Maida Milone, Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts
“I conducted an interview with Michael Smerconish before a packed crowd of Lehigh University alumni in Philadelphia City Hall. Our topic was timely and important: the 2016 U.S. presidential election, then less than eight weeks away. Michael, of course, provided expert commentary and insight. But he provided much more. He offered the audience in-depth historical perspectives into U.S. politics and social life. He offered wonderful, personal anecdotes into his own life and times in American politics. And, in the questions and answers that followed, he connected with the audience with such warmth, humor and generosity that I felt we all were gathered together in a family living room. I began and ended the interview with the same sentiment: Michael Smerconish represents the best in American journalism.” Dr. Jack Lule, Professor and Chair, Department of Journalism and Communication, Lehigh University
“Just two weeks prior to the 2016 national elections, our C-suite audience was excited to get the perspectives of Michael Smerconish. He did not disappoint! Michael provided an impassioned and reasoned point of view on today’s political environment bolstered by fascinating sociological insights on how we got here. At a time when talking heads are hell-bent on polarizing, we heard from a thinker who knows his audience and understands what shapes public perception and opinion. In so doing, Michael shined a light on potential paths back to more productive dialogue and legislative action. This was the perfect way to set the stage for our conference!” Art Flanagan, Vice President, Communications, CASRO
“As the only trade association in Washington comprised of the top-ranking officials in corporate government affairs offices, the Business-Government Relations Council (B-GRC) serves as a networking platform for our members to share insights into how key decision-makers operate at the intersection of public policy and the political process. As the closing speaker of our 50th anniversary annual meeting, Michael engaged our membership in a dialogue that took us far beyond the headlines to a keen understanding of all of the dynamics at play in the 2016 electoral season — political, media/technology, demographic — all grounded in rich, fact-based historical context. The Smerconish hallmark sincerity, objectivity and humor were in abundant supply at our annual meeting – just as they are on television, radio and in print. As it becomes harder and harder to find straight shooters who see the problems our country faces from both sides, thinkers like Michael Smerconish are an increasingly rare commodity every organization should seek out.” Evan A. Knisely, Business-Government Relations Council Past President and Member, Board of Directors
“Michael Smerconish was one of the best resources that we have had in a long time when he spoke recently to our group of business leaders in Philadelphia. Michael was able to cut through the fog of the 2016 election, no small feat, with both conviction and clarity, and was engaging to the point where we had to cut of questions or else we might still be there. We will have him speak to our group again.” Gregg Epstein, President/CEO, Perry Videx LLC, Philadelphia YPO Gold
“Thanks to Michael Smerconish for a powerful, educational and transformative presentation! I have recieved comments that this was the best PAC speach ever! Dennis George, Kansas Hospital Association, Convention 2016
“Nothing’s ever clear in politics, but what is crystal clear is Michael Smerconish’s rank as one of the premier speakers on American politics.” Roger Masse, Kansas Hospital Association, Convention 2016
“Michael Smerconish presented a rousing speech packed with a factual, refreshingly honest breakdown of our country’s political landscape.” Dr. John Jeter, Kansas Hospital Association, Convention 2016
“Michael’s closing keynote presentation at our annual Healthcare Conference absolutely entertained our audience. His material was personal and informative, giving the audience numerous occasions to smile and laugh – as well as to gain real insight about today’s polarization in politics. His friendly and honest style, coupled with compelling data and great story telling, had our diverse audience thoroughly engaged, no matter their political leaning. As evidenced by this attendee comment — “Probably the best presentation ever at one of these events!” — Michael is a home run for any event and we were very pleased to have him participate.” Mark Cranston, AVP Corporate Marketing, TriZetto Corporation
“Michael’s presentation was very well received by a hundreds of financial services industry executives and professionals. His style – humorous and engaging, with just the right balance of personal anecdotes and facts – was perfect for our audience. He was a terrific part of our program. ” Cheryl Crispen, EVP Communications, SIFMA, The Voice of the U.S. Securities Industry
“I’ve been told by members of our synagogue that our program with Michael Smerconish was, by far, the best event we ever held. Our congregation is over 40 years old! That’s some compliment! The e-mails were flying with gratitude and appreciation for the program in which he was our Guest Speaker. As we honored two very special congregants, we also invited him to help us focus on this election year, this astounding and shocking presidential campaign. We asked him for an inside look and we got it! His remarks were insightful, educational and enlightening. And, his warmth and humor made him that much more engaging. Michael really understood our audience. How great for us! Here are more comments … “I could have listened to Michael the whole night.” “I didn’t want it to end,” etc., etc. I know I speak for my co–chairs when I say, “We highly recommend Michael Smerconish.” With great respect and gratitude. ” Sharla Feldscher, Co-chair, M’kor Or Award Dinner Honoring Linda and Steven Angstreich, Congregation M’kor Shalom, Cherry Hill, NJ
“Michael Smerconish was a huge hit as the Keynote Speaker at the Ohio Association for Justice Annual Convention President’s Dinner in Columbus, Ohio. Regardless of your political ideology, Michael’s comments were “spot on” with regards to the state of today’s political affairs. Michael has a unique ability to connect with the crowd and his presentation incorporated all of the necessary elements of a first rate speech, including humor and a touch of personal history. I would encourage any group or organization looking for an engaging and well versed speaker, to reach out to Michael. You won’t be disappointed!” Paul Grieco, President, The Ohio Association for Justice
“Thoughtful, relevant and entertaining, Michael Smerconish accomplished something rarely seen in Orange County, California, a place long known for its conservative Republican majority. He captured the attention of a sold out ballroom and held it for nearly an hour as he told the story of modern American politics and the growing gridlock that has paralyzed our nation’s capital and angered millions who no longer have faith in those who lead us. You could hear a pin drop as Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike listened to Michael’s compelling tale of how the extremes on both ends of the spectrum are hijacking the political process at the expense of the majority of Americans stuck in the middle. With his signature insight and wit that is characteristic of his national radio show and TV commentary on CNN, Michael not only painted a picture of mounting dysfunction but he offered hope for a healthier tomorrow if the vast majority of Americans re-engage in how and who governs from Main Street to Washington. When he finished, many cheered Michael’s remarks as fresh and reassuring. Orange County Business Council has been fortunate to host some of the biggest names in business and politics through the years at its annual dinner. Michael was clearly one of the best at leaving the crowd wanting more.” Lucy Dunn, President and CEO, Orange County Business Council
“The Jewish Community of Philadelphia was privileged to have Michael speak to our Joshua Society donors. His remarks were informative, interesting, entertaining and relevant. The standing room only crowd listened with intent to his knowledge of the issues, his passion for what he does and his interest in our community. His insight is delivered with both honesty and integrity and we enjoyed having him as our guest.” Bud Newman, President, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
“Michael Smerconish was a terrific keynote speaker at the recent Fulbright Enrichment Seminar dealing with Democracy in Action: U.S. Politics and Elections, held in Philadelphia, PA. This seminar was hosted by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Commission. His talk “Caught in the Middle with You: How Did We Get Where We Are (Politically), and What Will It Take to Get Out” was an interesting and insightful presentation of how politics has become so very polarized. Historical examples related to politics as well as the current presidential election cycle were addressed. He did a wonderful job with the Q&A. In attendance were Fulbright graduate students, the best and the brightest, from about 140 countries around the world. Everyone in attendance was impressed by his clear, entertaining and thoughtful presentation. His years of close personal experience with politics provided much credence to his talk. Like his work on CNN and POTUS he was a consummate professional. I am sure that everyone in attendance will remember his talk for quite some time. We were thrilled to have him.” William L. Rosenberg, PhD Professor of Political Science, Drexel University Consultant to the Philadelphia Fulbright Enrichment Seminar
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Speaker rating
Comments about seeing this speaker live? (This field not required to submit a star rating.)
Name *
Email *
Currently you have JavaScript disabled. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right Opinionated talk show host and columnist Michael Smerconish has been chronicling local, state, and national events for the Philadelphia Daily News and the Philadelphia Inquirer for more than 15 years. He has sounded off on topics as diverse as the hunt for Osama bin Laden and what the color of your Christmas lights says about you. In this collection of 100 of his most memorable columns, Smerconish reflects on American political life with his characteristic feistiness. With a new Afterword for each column, the author provides updates on both facts and feelings, indicating how he has evolved over the years, moving from a conservative political perspective to having more of a centrist view.
Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right covers the post-9/11 years, Barack Obama’s ascension, and the rise of Donald Trump. Smerconish also recounts meeting Ronald Reagan, having dinner with Fidel Castro, and barbequing with the band YES in his backyard, as well as spending the same night with Pete Rose and Ted Nugent, drinking champagne from the Stanley Cup, and conducting Bill Cosby’s only pre-trial interview. Additionally, he writes about local Philadelphia culture, from Sid Mark to the Rizzo statue.
Smerconish’s outlook as expressed in these impassioned opinion pieces goes beyond “liberal” or “conservative.” His thought process continues to evolve and change, and as it does, he aims to provoke readers to do the same.
All author proceeds benefit the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center
Talk: A Novel An explosive novel exposing the inner workings of conservative talk radio and campaign politics from New York Times bestselling author and one of America’s leading talk-radio hosts and political commentators, Michael Smerconish.
Stan Powers finds himself at a crossroads. Poised to take the last step in his unlikely ascent to the top of conservative talk radio, his conscience may not let him. Set amid the backdrop of “the most important presidential election of our lifetime,” Powers – as the most influential voice in Tampa’s hotly contested I-4 Corridor – holds the key to Florida, and therefore the Oval Office. His on-air attacks singlehandedly put an abrupt end to the top candidates’ main competitors in the primaries, and now he is in the singular position to influence who wins the highest elected office in the world. Will he continue playing the game according to his cynical advisors, or listen to his own conscience and drop an even bigger bomb than expected?
With a story that could have been ripped from the headlines, deeply developed characters and interconnected plotlines, and one of the most shocking and rewarding denouements you’ll ever experience, this is the perfect political thriller for today’s America.
Instinct: The Man Who Stopped the 20th Hijacker
The gripping story of courageous men and women who changed history – by stopping terrorists on American ground.
All author proceeds will be donated to the Flight 93 National Memorial.
Murdered by Mumia: A Life Sentence of Loss, Pain, and Injustice
The first book to definitively lay out the case against Mumia Abu-Jamal—and those who’ve elevated him to the status of political prisoner.
Maureen Faulkner’s husband, Philadelphia police office Danny Faulkner, was shot between the eyes on a cold December night in 1981. Mumia Abu-Jamal was unanimously convicted of the crime by a racially mixed jury based on: the testimony of several eyewitnesses, his ownership of the murder weapon, matching ballistics, and Abu-Jamal’s own confession.
After his conviction, however, a national anti-death penalty movement was started to “Free Mumia;” Mike Farrell, Ed Asner, Whoopi Goldberg, and Jesse Jackson rallied on his behalf, and led the charge. For his part, while on death row, Abu-Jamal published several books, delivered radio commentaries, was a college commencement speaker, found himself named an Honorary Citizen of France, and had his defense coffers enhanced by ticket sales from a sold out (16,000-person) concert featuring Rage Against the Machine.
Here, from Maureen Faulkner and acclaimed talk show host / journalist Michael Smerconish, is the first book to carefully and definitively lay out the case against Abu-Jamal, and those who’ve elevated him to the status of political prisoner. Smerconish, a lawyer, has provided pro bono legal counsel to Faulkner for over a decade and knows both the legal intricacies and personal subtleties of the case like no other person. He’s personally acquainted himself with the more than five thousand pages of trial transcript. “My reading starkly revealed that Abu-Jamal murdered Danny Faulkner in cold blood and that the case tried in Philadelphia in 1982 bore no resemblance to the one being home-cooked by the Abu-Jamal defense team.”
As Abu-Jamal’s lawyers contemplate their final appeal, Faulkner and Smerconish weave a compelling, never-before-told account of one fateful night and the 25-year-long rewriting of history.
Muzzled: From T-ball to Terrorism–True Stories That Should Be Fiction Sick of the total BS of rampant PC?
This brazen, furiously funny book is the antidote to today’s poison of political correctness. With humor and chutzpah, attorney, commentator, and popular radio host Michael Smerconish takes on today’s oversensitive culture with a collection of entertaining, outlandish anecdotes about PC gone wild-stories that are hilarious, horrifying, and unbelievably true.
Why are sports leagues handing out trophies to losers? Why are little old grandmas hired to guard 200-pound prisoners? Why are newborn babies and old men with walkers singled out at the airport while likely terrorists are ushered through security with ease?
This book shows through these absurdities that today’s atmosphere of censorship and multiculturalism is paving the way for serious threats to our cultural identity and national security: “It’s one thing for the forces of political correctness to muzzle our day-to-day lives here at home in the US, quite another when that same cancer metastasizes into the war on terror.”
We must eradicate the PC disease. Our sanity-and our very lives-depend on it.
Call us / email us / check availability and fee for your favorite speaker.
