Like some news junkies, N4N wouldn't consider starting Sunday morning without a big pot of coffee, the Sunday papers, my DVR, and various news and talking-head shows, including local entries ABC6 on the Record, 10 News Conference, and Newsmakers. And while Meet The Press constitutes a gold standard of sorts among the national shows, The McLaughlin Group has become one of my favorites.
In contrast to the stereotypical view of program as a shout-fest, McLaughlin offers a concise, pointed, and thoughtful analysis of the top national and international news of the week (I love the annual "Grade the Planet" element). While Providence Daily Dose's Ariel considers the cast a bunch of "boobs," even while praising McLaughlin's sartorial splendor, N4N finds the interplay among such mixed partisans Pat Buchanan and Eleanor Clift entertaining. And you know that we like Monica.
RI's Future and Anchor Rising have recently taken note of McLaughlin's Rhode Island roots. Here's what Matt had to say:
With a big ole' tip o' the tip to CAM at AnchorRising, I was surprised to learn that McLaughlin Group host, John McLaughlin is a Rhode Island native!
Here's McLaughlin's 2005 RI Heritage Hall of Fame entry:
The marvelous story of Rhode Island’s own John Joseph McLaughlin leads one through more twists and turns than a Rocky Point roller coaster. Born on March 29, 1927 to Augustus and Eva (Turcotte) McLaughlin, he grew up in the neighborhoods of Edgewood and Mount Pleasant. His earliest run at greatness included stints as a pharmacy soda jerk, Triggs greenskeeper and caddy, Narragansett Park racetrack money-runner and a stock boy at Shepard’s department store.
A caddy at Triggs?!? Andrew gets it right:
Golfer: Do you think I should use my six-iron here?
McLaughlin: WRONG!!!
Other twists of the McLaughlin story are that he was a Jesuit priest and that he ran for the US Senate in Rhode Island in 1970 against John O. Pastore (Pastore won 68% - 32%).
Who knew??