NBC's David Gregory interviews America's next right-wing radio host, Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan
There's going to be
one less Mike Rogers in Congress in 2015:
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan, who has taken on an increasingly sharp profile in Washington as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee in a time of widening global security crises, has decided to give up Congress for a career in broadcasting.
Rogers, a seven-term Republican and former FBI agent, said in an interview Friday that he will not seek re-election after his term ends this year. Instead, Rogers told Detroit radio station WJR-AM that he will launch a radio show on stations affiliated with Atlanta-based Cumulus Media.
"As I close this chapter in my life, I am excited to begin a new one that allows me to continue serving as a voice for American exceptionalism and support a strong national security policy agenda," Rogers said in a statement.
The other Mike Rogers represents Alabama's Third Congressional district, but he's nowhere near as well-known as the retiring Mike, who has been
the most popular member of Congress for Sunday show bookers for two years running, even outpacing the king himself, Sen. John McCain.
Rogers will join a fleet of right-wing hacks on Cumulus including Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levin, Michael Savage, and Mike Huckabee. I'll spare you a dumb joke about them getting yet another Mike on the mic, but it does offer a glimpse into the GOP mindset about governance that a veteran congressman would pitch radio broadcasting as a better way to have an impact on the country than continuing to serve in a leadership role in Congress.
Rogers represented Michigan's Eighth Congressional District which Mitt Romney carried by a 51-48 margin in 2012. However, President Obama won the district 52-46 in 2008. Rogers won reelection by a 59-37 margin in 2012.