Michael Smerconish - philly.com

Michael Smerconish is a nationally syndicated radio host, best-selling author and weekly contributing columnist every Friday to The Philadelphia Inquirer A2 Insights page. Michael’s radio show is broadcasted weekday afternoons in Philadelphia on WPHT-AM (1210). A Philadelphia lawyer turned political commentator, Smerconish is a guest host and contributor to several national television shows including Hardball with Chris Matthews. Smerconish occasionally writes an opinion column in The Inquirer's Sunday Currents section.

In January 2011, Smerconish launched a book club event series in the Philadelphia region that will feature several best-selling authors, including John Bogle, Ted Gup, James Kaplan and Jane Leavy.

Donna Summer at the American Music Awards in 1979. Associated Press, File

Disco nights at the Jersey Shore

By Michael Smerconish, For The Inquirer

Posted 05/25/2012

Donna Summer died too soon at age 63. The moment I heard of the disco diva’s passing, I immediately thought of a recurring scene at the Anchorage in Somers Point, N.J., at the height of her popularity.

Third-party movement fizzles

By Michael Smerconish

Posted 05/17/2012

So Americans Elect wasn’t a subterfuge for Michael Bloomberg, Colin Powell, or Jon Huntsman after all. Too bad. Americans have demonstrated their desire for an alternative to the status quo.

Obama’s gutsy call - 05/04/2012: Michael Smerconish

Michael Smerconish: Thank you, Navy SEALs, for killing Osama bin Laden. And thank you, President Obama, for turning them loose to do their job, just as you said you would.
Pa., open those primaries - 04/28/2012: Michael Smerconish

That only 20 percent of registered voters braved the sunny weather to cast ballots in Pennsylvania on Tuesday is pitiful. Less than 15 percent of the commonwealth’s voting-age populace is making decisions for the rest of us. Yes, with the Republican presidential nomination process essentially over, there was no action at the top of the ticket. Still, each party had significant contests. Five Republicans were vying for the nomination to face Sen. Bob Casey in November. And Democrats had two serious candidates in Patrick Murphy and Kathleen Kane seeking to become the first of their party elected attorney general.
Is case against Zimmerman doomed? - 04/19/2012: Freelance

Florida has a rich tradition of “sunshine” when it comes to public access to court proceedings, and it seems likely that, sooner than later, the public will see what evidence special prosecutor Angela Corey has that warranted the filing of second-degree murder charges against George Zimmerman.
Christie will get GOP nod in 2016 - 04/15/2012: I can easily see Chris Christie as the 2016 Republican nominee. Here’s how I get there: Rick Santorum. Marco Rubio. Paul Ryan. John Thune. Maybe Sarah Palin. They’re the “usual suspects” for 2016 should Mitt Romney lose to President Obama, which current polls suggest will be the case. There’s lots of time on the clock, and anything can happen, but assuming that’s the way the current presidential race ends, the seeds are already being sown for yet another battle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party.
Pitcher wanted fame for talent, not disability - 04/06/2012: By Michael Smerconish

In the summer of 1985, Don Welke, a baseball scout for the Toronto Blue Jays, drove to Flint, Mich., to check out a high school pitching prospect. After silently observing the player for a few hours, he summarized his thoughts in his notebook as follows: "Abbott, Jim
Most families have embarrassing stories - 03/27/2012: The Pulse: Sure, the saga of Seamus has dogged Mitt Romney, but plenty of us have material.
Many questions in the Fla. shooting death - 03/23/2012: Michael Smerconish: Here's what I want to know about those 911 calls in Trayvon Martin's death.
Source of Santorum's strength in Pennsylvania could be a weakness - 03/18/2012
Boycott won't get Limbaugh off the air - 03/16/2012: By Michael Smerconish

Michael Smerconish: Advertisers boycotting is not enough for Limbaugh's mic to be turned off.
The local connections to that judge's racist e-mail - 03/11/2012: By Michael Smerconish

There are two local connections to the widely discussed case of a Montana judge who forwarded a disgusting e-mail about President Obama.