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Opinion: Conservative radio host Michael Smerconish to interview Obama at White House

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(UPDATE: Correction added below.)

Conservative radio talk show host Michael Smerconish is headed to the White House. And he’s being welcomed.

President Obama invited the nationally syndicated radio personality to talk about healthcare and other issues. Thursday’s live chat, scheduled to last 20 minutes, will begin approximately at 10:10 a.m. Pacific time.

The interview will air on WPHT-AM 1210, ‘The Big Talker’ (which includes Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity in its lineup), and online at www.thebigtalker1210.com.

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Smerconish, who broadcasts out of Philadelphia, has been known to sub for Limbaugh now and then. (UPDATE Correction: According to a spokesman for Rush Limbaugh, the Philadelphian has never substituted on Limbaugh’s show. Sorry.) Still, he endorsed Obama last fall, riling and disappointing some of his listeners. During the campaign...

... Smerconish wrote about the future president’s background and experience: ‘With a resume like that, Barack Obama, in his quest for the White House, should be celebrated by his supporters and respected by his opponents--even if his politics are not.’

Clearly, not everyone got that memo.

In a statement posted online today, he writes of the upcoming presidential chat: “There are no ground rules. I am not prescreening with the White House on what the subject matter will be. I run my radio program with dignity and respect for this president and other public officials.”

Smerconish then adds, perhaps disappointing some listeners again: “I do not intend to take calls from listeners who want to offer platitudes, nor take cheap shots against the president.”

-- Steve Padilla

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