Interview with Cincinnati Enquirer columnist Peter Bronson
The following interview was done for QCF Magazine in 2003 - Interview by Steve Fritsch, Publisher
Peter Bronson is Cincinnati's premier conservative op-ed columnist. OK, he is Cincinnati's only conservative op-ed columnist. But don't be fooled, Bronson is arguably the best in his field in town. His columns, which circulate to 300,000 readers three times a week in the Cincinnati Enquirer (Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday), provide a winning combination of being honest, courageous, and informative. Bronson gets straight to the heart of the issues and his unapologetic style provokes strong reaction on all sides of the political spectrum. It is impossible for those who enjoy politics and good writing to skip his columns, whether you agree with him or not.
Despite his well-known way of throwing humor into his columns, even on controversial issues, Bronson's credentials force all who read him to take him seriously. He won numerous awards when he was editor of the Enquirer editorial page, which was named Best Editorial Page in Ohio four years in a row under his leadership. He appears regulary on Hotseat, a public affairs show on WCPO Channel 9 at 10 a.m. on Sundays. He just released his new book Cincinnati, For Pete's Sake, a collection of his most popular Cincinnati Enquirer columns.
Recently, the Enquirer has changed its Metro section format by trimming Bronson's columns from four to three. He has also seen his front page status reduced. Bronson had appeared on the front of the Metro section for all four of his columns, but has since been diminished to once a week. This has caused many of Bronson's readers to wonder what is going on. Bronson has a large and loyal following of conservative and moderate readers and is also widely read by liberals. So why the change? Is the Enquirer going more liberal? Or are they simply trying to add more writers into the mix to attract new readers? What exactly is going on at the Enquirer? The following interview asks Peter Bronson these questions and what his opinions are on the state of Cincinnati and its media. Steve Fritsch: Recently there has been a change in format in the Metro section. You are no longer featured as you once were. Why did the publisher change the format?
Peter Bronson: The goal is to include new columnists, and they needed an extra day. I was the only columnist writing four times a week, so they took one of mine.
SF: How do you personally feel about the change?
Bronson: I would prefer to be writing more often, but I don't run the newspaper. SF: Where do you think the Enquireris going? Is it becoming more liberal?
Bronson: Yes, the Enquirer is more moderate/liberal then when I was running the editorial department. But I'm glad to be writing columns. SF: Do you think the Enquirerputs more emphasis on lifestyle then it does on politics?
Bronson: No, I think our political coverage is pretty good, but you can't please everyone. SF: Is it true that the Enquirer is planning to extend its entire Weekend edition to compete with City Beat?
Bronson: I'm not the person to ask about that. SF: Whom do you think is the Enquirer's competiton? What is your opinion of the media in Cincinnati?
Bronson: We have many kinds of competiton -- TV, the Post, talk radio, magazines. Except for talk radio, Cincinnati has a glut of liberal commentary and only one conservative that I am aware of. SF: Regarding Downtown, how do you view its current state and is it any better then five years ago?
Bronson: Downtown is declining. It's a slow process, almost imperceptible, but measured in closed businesses and boarded up store fronts. SF: Where do you see Downtown in five years?
Bronson: Without the Banks project, the decline will continue. SF: Does print still hold any power? Or is TV and the internet drowning it out?
Bronson: Print still holds the community agenda. SF: How do you view yourself as a journalist?
Bronson: The culture of journalism is liberal. I am a conservative. That makes me part of the counterculture. SF: How do you feel about being called "racist" and "homophobic," etc.for going to the heart of the issues?
Bronson: Those responses are a symptom of shallow thinking. People who can't argue the issues resort to name-calling. I don't give them much thought or credibility. SF: How do you think most people view Peter Bronson?
Bronson: I think most people in Cincinnati welcome having a conservative point of view that expresses the opinions of the majority of this city. I hope they appreciate my sense of humor and writing style and honesty. SF: Who do you think are the best journalists in town and what makes them so?
Bronson: I believe the best journalists are the ones who do not follow the crowd while chasing a story. SF: Have you seen any important changes in the relationship between the police and City Council.
Bronson: As they run for re-election, many Council members who have been gratuitously critical of the police are now trying to change their images and become "pro-police." The cops know better. They aren't buying it. SF: What are your opinions on City Council?
Bronson: It's better then it used to be, but that's not saying much. SF: As a conservative writer, who has influenced you over the years to continue to fight for the conservative cause?
Bronson: I find my inspiration in conservative ideas that are much more dynamic and original then the stale, old liberal menu, which is forty years out of date. SF: Tell us some about your new book.
Bronson: It's a collection of my favorite columns in the Cincinnati Enquirer, called "Cincinnati, For Pete's Sake." It includes humor, touching stories of faith and friendship and hard-hitting columns that express a persective that is unique in Cincinnati. It's available at local bookstores and online at www.peterbronson.com.