THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, March 14, 1995 TAG: 9503140352
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: SILVER SPRING, MD. LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Iran-Contra figure, U.S. Senate candidate, White House aide and former Marine Oliver North launched a new career Monday - as a ``common sense'' radio talk show host.
``Live from our nation's capital, it's the Oliver North show,'' North boomed into the microphone at WWRC-AM in this Maryland suburb of Washington. ``Something you can finally use from Washington - the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.''
The topic of discussion for his debut was what's right and wrong about America. Callers, most of them supportive of North, raised issues that ranged from abortion and welfare to drugs and congressional gridlock.
One thing unchanged since North's unsuccessful bid to unseat Democratic Sen. Charles Robb of Virginia was his criticism of the press. Poking fun at the reporters who showed up, he called his inaugural show a ``live animal act right on the air'' with a 30-plus ``pack of jackals.''
``These are members of the Fourth Estate,'' North told listeners in the Washington metro area and Houston, the two markets where the show aired. ``They are what some people call reporters.''
Asked why he became a member of the media if he hates it so much, North said: ``Balance is as good a reason for it as anything. We can also provide a little fun in the process.''
North, standing through the entire three-hour broadcast, said he also wants to spread his views, which he labeled as conservative and based on traditional values.
``I feel strongly about issues the American people feel strongly about,'' he said. ``I want to encourage people to participate in the process.''
But when Jean, from New York, called North a liar for his role in the Iran-Contra affair, her call was promptly disconnected.
``Going on personal vendettas against the talk show host doesn't solve anything,'' he said after cutting her off.
When another caller, Jim, also challenged North, he replied, ``I was carrying out the orders of the people I worked for. Everything I did was done to save the lives of other people.''
During the show, North also hurled barbs at President Clinton, Vice President Al Gore and Oregon Sen. Mark Hatfield, the only Senate Republican to vote against the balanced-budget proposal last week.
Among the callers was veteran talk show host Larry King. It was on King's CNN show in December that North disclosed he would not seek elective office next year. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oliver North, launching his radio talk show, signals a ``thumbs up''
to co-workers.
by CNB