A Farewell and Thanks to Ron Rosenbaum

January 9, 2012 at 12:16 pm | Posted in Political | 8 Comments
Tags: KTLK, Newstalk, Newstalk AM 1130, Radio, Ron Rosenbaum, talk radio

Newtalk AM 1130's outgoing talker, Ron Rosenbaum.

If you blinked, you may have missed it. Saturday saw the final broadcast of Holding Court with Ron Rosenbaum on Newstalk AM 1130. For many listeners to the conservative talk station, the departure of Rosenbaum was a sudden answer to an oft expressed half-joking prayer. Frequently labeled a liberal, Rosenbaum has at the very least been a contrarian, relentlessly challenging boilerplate conservative arguments and turning over rhetoric in search of underlying truth.

He’s been called everything from an elitist to a blowhard, and worse off-air. However, Rosenbaum’s true nature was evident in the manner in which his show came to an end. A final broadcast presents a unique opportunity for self-aggrandizement. Yet, Saturday’s show came and went like any other, largely undistinguished aside from the surprise announcement at the end of the final hour that Holding Court would be no more. Right up to that last moment, Rosenbaum offered the same glib contrarian commentary that he always has, as if it were just another day on-air.

I was introduced to Ron by his colleague Sue Jeffers at a “cocktails and conversations” event hosted by his station in the midst of the 2010 election season. Offered up to him as a Tea Partier, I became a captive of his abrasive curiosity. His manner in that first encounter was, aside from a peppering of colorful metaphors, no different from his manner on-air. His questions were thoughtful and aggressive, respectful but challenging, and always intent upon arriving at a better understanding of the subject at hand.

I remember Ron asking me, during that first off-air conversation, whether I listened to his show. I told him the truth, that I didn’t catch it often. What I didn’t tell him was that I was nonetheless a long-time listener who had grown up on his legal analysis spanning a career across multiple stations.

Ron is among a breed of local talk radio hosts who, like the pantheons of myth, have morphed into different roles or faded into obscurity. Jason Lewis has gone national. Dave Thompson is now a state senator. Joe Souceray, once a pillar of the biggest talk station in town, is now all that remains of a lineup that was. T. D. Mischke has hopped around town, dangling his stream-of-consciousness in tow. Many others are simply gone. Nevertheless, these were my true educators in spite of the public school systems’ best effort. They made politics, business, history, and current events entertaining and relevant in a way textbooks and tests never could. They seeded an interest which bloomed into inquiry and, eventually, principle and activism. And they did it with a flavor and impact unique to local radio.

All things considered, that is what I will miss most in the wake of Ron’s departure. The new Saturday programming on AM 1130 will consist of yet more nationally syndicated faire. Gone will be another source of local perspective, another platform for local activists and causes. Particular to Ron, gone will be a skeptical inquisition which forced his guests and listeners to question both what they believed and – more importantly – why they believed it.

Thanks, Ron. Farewell in your future endeavors, and never stop asking tough questions.

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My wife and I will miss Ron’s challenging personalty. We are saddened because we regularly listened to him via podcast.

Comment by Tom— January 9, 2012 #

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The way you speak of that old KSTP lineup… I feel the same way. Davis, Thompson, Rosenbaum, Soucheray, Lewis… It’s what got me into politics in the first place. I always enjoyed listening to Ron and I’ll miss it.

Comment by @bfdally— January 9, 2012 #

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Very nice acknowledgement, Walter. I didn’t agree with Ron on many topics, but he did provide a foil that made his conservative talkers a bit more entertaining.

Comment by George Wegner— January 9, 2012 #

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I’m sad to see him go. Much as I love Davis, Emmer, Jeffers….Ron always bought another side, as if turning over something endlessly interesting. I can’t say I agreed with him often, but he made me think one layer deeper into the topic.

Comment by Suzie— January 10, 2012 #

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Ron Rosenbaum often provided the counterpoint to conservative views in discussions on political issues, often enriching the exchange. His perspective will be missed.
Walter, it was good of you to provide a fitting farewell.

Comment by MinnDakota— January 10, 2012 #

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Followed Ronny from back in the day when Babbling Barb Carlson would look to him for legal opinion on 1500.. Kinda Oily and crafty if you ask me, and you better have Facts before you call or else you are Rat Bait! Never forget when I stopped Big Ron in his tracks on the idea of Reparations on Air, Told Ron Reparations was a good idea as long as the Party responsible for Slavery was the ones paying the bill! History shows that the foundation of the Democrat Party was built on Slavery((Click-Off Air I was)).. Oil!

Comment by Marky Mark— January 10, 2012 #

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Ron was definately an acquired taste at first, but after a bit he’s exactly what a radio personality is supposed to be- entertaining! I’ve come to really appreciate shows that focus on the local issues – it’s so easy to get caught up in national politics & completely ignor the very goofiness that goes on right in our own backyards. Ron was especially informative during the MN state gov’t shutdown over the summer & brought informative perspective to what was going on & just how scewed the choices of our elected officials really are. I thought he complemented the local line-up quite well & will miss his insight & observations esp on the MN issues.

Comment by C.C. Hill— January 11, 2012 #

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Rosenbaum was virtually the only show host of any substance or value on KTLK. He left the air showing his grace and good humor. Contrast that with whiney little Tommy Emmer who constantly bleats about how Hamline treated him. Or Susie Jeffers who is essentially an “angry white woman” . . . an odd combination of “get off my lawn” McCain and the vapidity of Sarah Palin who clearly does her show drunk every week.
Those who criticize Ron for being egotistical must have never listened to Meathead Lewis.

Comment by Bo— January 16, 2012 #

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