Politically Direct with David Bender Blog

This Sunday on Politically Direct with David Bender 6-28-09

Scott Millican — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:30:32 -0400

Today on Politically Direct, David Bender signs off by looking back at some of his favorite interviews over the past 4 years. From the poliitcal world we will hear from, a then Senator, Barack Obama, Senator Ted Kennedy and former Vice-President Al Gore.

Then in our second hour David will share a very personal interview he had with singer-songwriter Phoebe Snow. Also in that hour, we will listen to David's close friends David Crosby and Graham Nash.

In the third hour, we will look back at David's interview this year with the incomparable Gore Vidal.

We hope you enjoy this retrospective of David's 4 years with Politically Direct, and feel free to leave comments for this weeks show below on our blog. David will be reading them all the way from Barcelona today!

Citizen Jackson: The King Is Dead, Long Live Celebrity

David Bender — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:54:00 -0400

"Last week, death came to sit upon the throne of America's Kubla Khan - last week, as it must to all men, death came to Charles Foster Kane."--Reporter's words on the passing of a fictional American icon in "Citizen Kane"

This Sunday on Politically Direct with David Bender 6-21-09

Scott Millican — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:24:58 -0400

Air America's very own Rachel Maddow, star of the Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC, stops by to discuss Iran and President Obama's recent extension of partial federal benefits to same-sex partners of US government workers.

Then Retired U.S. Navy Veteran Norman Bennett joins us to talk about serving along side President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, that's right FDR! He will tell us about his encounters with the President and what historic moment a young Ensign Bennett had been involved in.

Also on the show, Academy Award-winning director, screenwriter and producer, Barry Levinson will join us by phone to talk about his new documentary Poliwood. We'll ask the Rain Man Director about the involvement of Hollywood with Politics in this country today.

All this and your calls 866-303-2270

This Sunday on Politically Direct with David Bender 6-07-09

Scott Millican — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 10:37:46 -0400

This Sunday on Politically Direct, award-winning journalist and MSNBC Political Analyst Richard Wolffe stops by to talk about his new book "Renegade: The Making of a President". Also, Father Geoff Farrow will be joining us the latest on Prop 8 out in California. All this and your calls 866-303-2270.

Marching On (Audio)

David Bender — Sun, 31 May 2009 14:31:32 -0400

I've just returned from Fresno, California where yesterday's historic march and rally for marriage equality took place. From the point of view of practical politics, this is the part of the state that needs to be ground zero in any effort to restore gay marriage to the Golden State -- over 70% of Fresno voters supported Prop. 8 last November.

This Sunday on Politically Direct with David Bender 5-31-09

Scott Millican — Sat, 30 May 2009 17:30:51 -0400

Hi, I'm David Bender. This Sunday on Politically Direct! I'll be talking with Slate's Dahlia Lithwick about the President's historic nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayer to the Supreme Court and then People for the American Way President Michael Keegan will join us to talk about the California Supreme Court's decision to UPHOLD that's state's ban on gay marriage And then linguist Geoffrey Nunberg puts it all into words with his new book, The Years of Talking Dangerously. All this and your calls, this Sunday on PD.

This Sunday on Politically Direct 5-24-09

Ring of Fire — Sat, 23 May 2009 19:15:44 -0400

This week we'll talk with an All-Star lineup to discuss everything from Dick Cheney to President Obama's first nomination to the Supreme Court. David Bender is joined by Eric Boehlert to discuss his new book, "Bloggers on the Bus." Ron Reagan, host of the Ron Reagan Show, will be here as well as Janeane Garafalo, David Crosby, and former Mayor of San Francisco Willie Brown. Don't miss Politically Direct this Sunday from 4-7pm ET.

May 17th, 2009: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse; Mark Harris; and your calls

David Fazekas — Sun, 17 May 2009 16:17:37 -0400

This week we'll talk with Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse about Nancy Pelosi and torture. In the third hour we'll be joined by columnist and former executive editor at Entertainment Weekly, Mark Harris to talk about the upcoming American Idol finals. And of course your calls, 866-303-2270.

And a special thanks to our listener Jason Bell for sending us this link on how to contact The United States Department of Justice, President Obama, your local U.S. Representative in Congress, and the two Senators in your State to prosecute George Bush and Dick Cheney.

Sunday, May 10th, 2009: Joe Trippi; Mark Fainaru-Wada; and your calls

nozekas — Sun, 10 May 2009 16:07:02 -0400

This week a lot of interesting things happened on the Sunday shows and we're going to be talking about it with you, call us at 866-303-2270.

We'll also be joined in the second hour by Joe Trippi. And in the third hour to talk about Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez and steroids will be, Mark Fainaru-Wada, co-author of the book, "Game of Shadows."

Politically Direct this Sunday 5-3-09

Ring of Fire — Fri, 01 May 2009 16:05:34 -0400

This week on Politically Direct we'll be talking about the numbers. The President's first 100 Days are now in the books and we'll be talking with Air America's Washington correspondent Anna Marie Cox who attended the enchanting, humbling and surprising press conference. And there are some surprsing new numbers out about the public's perception of HIV/AIDS in America. Jennifer Kates of the Kaiser Family Foundation will join us to reveal the results of their important new survey. All that and your calls at 866 303-2270 today on Politically Direct.

Quinnipiac Study

Politically Direct 4-26-09

Scott Millican — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 11:36:41 -0400

Next week marks the first 100 days of the presidency of Barack Obama and we're going to be talking about it in depth today on Politically Direct with the great musician and spoken word artist Henry Rollins, with the Pulitzer Prize winning former White House photographer David Hume Kennerly and with talk show host Hal Ginsberg. Barack Obama at 100! How's he doing?

April 19th, 2009: Alan Van Capelle

David Bender — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:09:29 -0400

This week we'll talk with Alan Van Capelle, Executive Director of Empire State Pride Agenda, about New York Governor David Paterson's push to legalize gay marriage in his state.

We'll also talk about politically in/correct humor with clips of Jeff Dunham; Sarah Silverman; Kathy Griffin; and Margaret Cho. And we want to hear what you think, 866-303-2270.

This Sunday on Politically Direct 04-05-09

Scott Millican — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 23:04:31 -0400

Hey it's David Bender and our long national nightmare is over! No, not Watergate...it's finally the START of baseball season! Join me this Sunday for our opening day celebration on Politically Direct when my all-star line-up will include PBS news anchor Jim Lehrer, legendary trial attorney Gerry Spence and Air America's newest heavy hitter, Montel Williams, whose program, Montel across America debuts next week. All that and your calls, right here on AAR and AA.COM! Play Ball!!!

Buy Jim Lehrer's book here

Taking Heart from the Heartland

David Bender — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:07:10 -0400

The declaration yesterday by the Iowa Supreme Court that gay marriage will now be legal in the Hawkeye State reflects that most quintessential of American values: confusion. As a people, we have historically embraced our own contradictions with reckless abandon and dizzying inconsistency.

This Sunday on Politically Direct 03-29-09

Scott Millican — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:48:09 -0400

On today's edition of Politically Direct, David will be taking your calls about the President's efforts to speak directly to the American people this week about our economic crisis. Was he effective? Is it working? Or is he providing Republicans with ammunition to undermine his plan? Call David at 866 303-2270 and let him know what you think!

Then, in our third hour, T. Boone Pickens will join us to talk about his "Pickens Plan" and how we can reduce America's dependence on foreign oil and how it will improve our National Security. Join his Virtual March on Washington here.

March 15, 2009: Matt Cavenaugh and Phoebe Snow

David Fazekas — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 17:41:36 -0400

This week we will be taking your calls on what you think of the Jim Cramer vs. Jon Stewart showdown.

Then in our third hour, we will rebroadcast two interviews I did from the David Bender Show. We welcome rising Broadway star Matt Cavenaugh to the studio. Matt plays Tony in the current revival of West Side Story on Broadway, and he and the show are already garnering rave reviews. Later in the hour, another Broadway vocal legend will join David on the air - Phoebe Snow. Phoebe began her legendary career in 1972 and has not taken a minute's rest since. She remains one of the most vital and distinctive vocalists of our time.

March 8th, 2009: Rebroadcast of the David Bender Show on The Best of Politically Direct

David Bender — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 13:05:58 -0400

This week I'm going to replay you some of my interviews from this past week's The David Bender Show. I will be joined by, Kim actress Kim Cattrall ("Sex and the City") who will talk about a new initiative called Beyond Tribute, which aims to turn the Memorial Day and Veterans Day holidays into something more than three mindless days of bargain-hunting.

Also on the program will be a few impressive guys, too. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse from Rhode Island and activist Cleve Jones, who was Harvey Milk's top deputy when he served as a San Francisco supervisor.

Celebrate Senator Kennedy's 77th, Push National Health Care Plan

David Bender — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 17:27:42 -0500

Today is Senator Edward Kennedy's 77th birthday. Please send him a message at the link below. And if you want to make it a truly special wish, tell him that you'll pledge to do everything you can to help pass a national health care plan this year. It's the cause of his life and it's the best gift we could ever give to him--and to the country.

This Sunday on Politically Direct 02-22-09

David Bender — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 08:57:08 -0500

Hi! It's David Bender. Join me this Sunday on Politically Direct for our Academy Awards special! Lots of great films up this year - Milk, Frost/Nixon, Slumdog Millionaire -- and we're gonna talk about all of them just before the statuettes are handed out with, Ted Johnson - Variety Managing Editor; film critic and author David Denby; and White Knot founder Frank Voci. So join me this Sunday on Air America's own red Carpet...right here on Politically Direct on airamericaradio and airamerica dot com.

Special note: Today is Senator Edward Kennedy's 77th birthday. Please send him a message at the link below. And if you want to make it a truly special wish, tell him that you'll pledge to do everything you can to help pass a national health care plan this year. It's the cause of his life and it's the best gift we could ever give to him -- and to the country.

http://kennedy.senate.gov/senator/contact.cfm

February 16th, 2009: Chuck Todd; Alexandra Pelosi; and Cari Beauchamp

nozekas — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:01:41 -0500

Join David today for a jam-packed edition of Politically Direct when his guests include NBC Chief White Correspondent, Chuck Todd, on his new book "How Barack Obama Won," filmmaker extraordinaire; Alexandra Pelosi, whose documentary from the campaign trail, "Right America: Feeling Wronged," vividly displays the anguish of McCain-Palin supporters at the prospect of an Obama victory; and, in the third hour, author Cari Beauchamp will be here to talk about her new biography of the Kennedy family patriarch, Joe Kennedy, which explores his previously undocumented role as the man who launched the modern film industry.

All that and your calls at 866 303-2270, right here on Politically Direct with David Bender!

Today on Politically Direct with David Bender, February 8th, 2009

Scott Millican — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 08:23:38 -0500

Join David Bender today on Politically Direct when his guests are the dynamic young Senator from Rhode Island, Sheldon Whitehouse, talking about his efforts to hold the Bush Administration accountable for what he calls their eight year carnival of folly, greed, lies, and sabotage, and then Marc Ambinder, the influential political analyst for CBS News and the Atlantic will be here to examine the real strategy behind President Obama's efforts to bring bipartisanship to Washington. And in our 3rd hour Actor, Rocker, and Comedian Hal Sparks will be here to run down what's on his mind with David and our listeners. All this and your calls on Politically Direct, right here on Air America Radio and airamerica.com.

Link to Senator Whitehouse's speech here.

Sunday, January 25th, 2009: Ana Marie Cox; Graham Nash; and your calls

David Bender — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 16:56:53 -0500

Dear World:

     We, the United States of America, your top quality supplier
     of the ideals of liberty and democracy, would like to
     apologize for our 2001-2008 interruption in service. The
     technical fault that led to this eight-year service outage
     has been located, and the software responsible was replaced
     November 4. Early tests of the newly installed program
     indicate that we are now operating correctly, and we expect
     it to be fully functional as of noon on January 20. We apologize for
     any inconvenience caused by the outage. We look forward to
     resuming full service and hope to improve in years to come.
     We thank you for your patience and understanding,

Sincerely,

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Be sure to check out Graham Nash's new box set, "Reflections".

The White Knots Are Coming!

David Bender — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 10:54:52 -0500

Last night on "The Rachel Maddow Show" I asked Melissa Etheridge about the White Knot campaign for marriage equality. Melissa has already done something that other leaders in the LGBT community have been unable to do (at least so far), she's opened a dialogue with Rick Warren.

Politically Direct Sunday 01-11-09

Scott Millican — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:43:26 -0500

Today on Politically Direct we'll be joined by the brilliant director, Sidney Lumet, the man who made such classic films as 12 Angry Men, Network, Fail Safe, Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico and The Verdict. Also, former Senator Gary Hart will be here to give us his assessment of the foreign policy challenges facing soon-to-be President Barack Obama. All this and your calls, today on Politically Direct!

Buy Tickets to see Sidney Lumet at the 92nd street Y here

Why Knot?

David Bender — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 15:22:20 -0500

When Pastor Rick Warren steps up to the microphone to deliver the invocation at Barack Obama's inauguration as the 44th President of the United States, the world's television cameras will pan the surrounding dignitaries--Senators, members of Congress, diplomats--then they'll focus on the faces of the crowd, millions of Americans crammed together in the winter cold, straining to witness this historic event.

Here's what they'll see: pinned to the lapels of the overcoats of every man, woman and child that is willing to wear one will be a small white ribbon, tied into the shape of a knot. One, after another, after another, after another, these white knots will bear silent but eloquent testimony to a future America where marriage equality is a reality. These white knots will represent hope, just as Barack Obama does.

The White Knot is the brilliant brainchild of Frank Voci, who I interviewed several weeks ago here on my Air America Radio program, "Politically Direct." At the time, I thought the notion of displaying a small symbol of support for marriage equality was the ideal reaction to the horrific passage of Proposition 8 in California. I suggested to Frank that the Obama inauguration would be an excellent opportunity for a quiet affirmation that was non-political, yet visually--and numerically--effective. It seemed like the perfect day to demonstrate support for for a new beginning in America.