WKBN Ryan goes on air as talk-show host

It was the congressman's first time as a radio host.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Like his predecessor, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles got to play radio talk-show host today.
But unlike ex-U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr., Ryan was low-key and let his guests and callers dominate the show on WKBN-AM radio today. The bombastic Traficant was a frequent guest host on the station, and his appearances attracted national attention. Ryan's appearance today wasn't announced beforehand by his staff.
Traficant, who is serving an eight-year federal prison term for bribery and racketeering, would say on the radio that he had "a train to run," and would often play Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger," from the Rocky III movie.
Ryan, who doesn't have a catch-phrase, played songs by Norah Jones.
Wouldn't offer opinions
"This is my first time doing the radio talk-show host thing," Ryan said. "I will not use this show as an opportunity to beat the president over the head. I'm going to try to keep my opinions to myself."
Ryan, with an assist from Dan Gonder, filled in today for Dan Rivers, who is on vacation.
Ryan's first guest was U.S. Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, a former Democratic presidential candidate, who spoke via telephone from Washington, D.C., to the congressman.
Ryan told Edwards that he would like to see the senator run as U.S. Sen. John Kerry's vice presidential running mate. Edwards didn't respond to the statement.
"You got an amazing response when you came to the Mahoning Valley" in February, Ryan said. "You ran a fantastic campaign. You injected a lot of energy. I personally wish it would have gone on a little longer, and kept the debate going."
Ryan, an early supporter of former Gov. Howard Dean's failed effort to gain the Democratic presidential nomination, asked Edwards what former Dean and Edwards backers should do now that Kerry is the party's presumptive presidential nominee.
Faith in Kerry
"John Kerry will do the things that need to be done," Edwards said. "He has a job creation and health-care plan. President Bush doesn't ... The bottom line is John Kerry will make a great president. I saw his strength and determination, and he cares about the things I care about. I have enormous faith in him."
Ryan's second guest was Paul Craig Roberts, a conservative syndicated newspaper columnist who served as an assistant secretary of the treasury under President Reagan.
Ryan and Roberts discussed how cheap labor in foreign countries, particularly India and China, has damaged the U.S. economy.
Losing jobs to overseas nations has nothing to do with the quality of work done by U.S. workers, Roberts said.
In response to a question by Ryan about President Bush's tax cut, Roberts said: "Cutting taxes is always good, but cutting taxes can't affect the cheap labor of China and India."
skolnick@vindy.com