by Dianne Lobes

Created on: September 25, 2008   Last Updated: November 05, 2008

RENAISSANCE MAN THOM HARTMANN IS THE BEST, AND GETTING BETTER, WELL AFTER 50

Thom Hartmann, the Voice of Reason on progressive radio, can't slow down. He's a young, slim and energetic 57 with a 21st century delivery, who is nonetheless open and self-deprecating about his "old fogey" foibles, Boomer proclivities, and ADD diagnosis. He is a 50-ness phenomenon all by himself who joyfully charges on through life.

For five years people across the country won't start their day without Thom's friendly voice in their ear and in their minds; he cuts through the clutter and offers mature and stimulating conversation that blends today's news with deep historical perspective. Few can match it, or even try. His keen 50-year perspective on events and people is necessary for his level of stimulating media talk.

Thom's been an engaging commentator and an on-point political debater all his life, a skill he learned from arguing with his beloved Republican father in Michigan where he grew up in the '50s and '60s. He regularly takes on the likes of conservatives Dinesh D'Souza and David Horowitz and passionately disassembles their talking points while nurturing a respectful relationship with them. The proof of Hartmann's talented good nature is that they keep coming back for more.

The trick, Hartmann says, is to rise to a level above the one on which your fellow debater is proffering often misleading or conflicting details, and to frame your argument on a wider, more encompassing meta-level that collapses BS and gets to clear logic and truths. Hartmann's the undisputed master at this.

You can listen to Hartmann on air for 3 hours every week day (www.thomhartmann.com) with an additional hour on his home KPOJ station in Portland (www.620kpoj.com). He fills every minute with content that is music to over-50, content-hungry ears.

Watching him on Thomvision (http://airamerica.com/thomvision), he's calm, focused, and totally steeped in prepping for his next guest, or in keeping up with the news on his computer. You'd never know he has ADD, about which he is the author of several books and a committed non-apologist. In fact Hartmann maintains that folks with ADD are at an advantage in a fast-paced environment because they can catch all the information flying by.

Hartmann's up at 3 am to prepare, in bed by 7 pm if his control-freak cat Higgins will allow it. He travels to far-flung locations for his show he's been to Africa, Denmark, Denver, St. Paul and Latin America just in the last year. And in his spare time Thom is writing yet another book.

From being a member of SDS in his college youth to starting several businesses, and the author of umpteen books on political issues as well, Hartmann is arguably the most well-rounded and smartest radio head in the business.

Despite all his accolades, Hartmann really is like a good friend sitting across the kitchen table telling you to take heart, with sure support. He's that comfortable with himself. As he wryly exclaims often, "I'm great, but I'll get better!" He weaves his working class roots, his family and his Midwest populist philosophy into his musings and his rants alike, while drawing on his considerable intellect and playing spine-tingling clips from FDR and other historical icons whom he has studied.

"We have nothing to fear," Hartmann reminds us, "but fear itself!" Not even being over 50, clearly. Is 50 the new 30? Could be, as Hartmann often muses. Just more audacious, and hopeful.

Learn more about this author, Dianne Lobes.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.