Working for the most renowned Speaker in decades, Blankley became one of the leading spokesmen for the Contract with America. Prior to his career on Capitol Hill, Blankley served President Reagan as a speechwriter and senior policy analyst.
After leaving Gingrich’s office in February 1997, Blankley joined the staff of John F. Kennedy Jr.'s George magazine. As a contributing editor, Blankley’s monthly column "Between the Lines" featured his inside-the-beltway insights. Blankley also appears regularly on CNN’s Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, as well as CNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews, Rivera Live, The News with Brian Williams and MSNBC. In June 1999, Blankley joined The Washington Times as a weekly political columnist. In June 2002, he was named editorial page editor.
The same depth of knowledge and sharp wit that kept reporters turning to him during his time on Capitol Hill have made Blankley one of today’s leading media commentators. His opinions and analysis of political events have been featured on the front pages of The New York Times, USA Today, and other major publications, and he was a syndicated columnist for the Los Angeles Times Syndicate.
Executive vice president of Edelman Public Relations in Washington, DC and a visiting senior fellow in national security communications at the Heritage Foundation, Blankley is also the author of The West's Last Chance: Will We Win the Clash of Civilizations and American Grit: What It Will Take to Survive and Win in the 21st Century, both published by Regnery.
In his business life, Blankley serves as advisor to various financial organizations, including The National Association of State Insurance Commissioners; S & P, Proshares Fund; Magnetar Fund.
He has quickly become a favorite speaker of corporate and association audiences around the country. He uses his background in both the executive and congressional branches to design speeches which provide insight into today’s headlines, and the issues that will fill tomorrow’s.
In addition to being a popular speaker, Blankley is an accomplished debater. Clients have paired him with the likes of Bill Press and Bob Beckel, among other noted Democratic pundits, to create a uniquely informative and provocative program. Whether delivering a keynote or debating, Blankley gives his audience more than just analysis. Focusing on the personalities and stories which make politics interesting, he helps audiences remember the information long after they leave the event.
Tony Blankley on KCRW
More from KCRW
Confused on Prop 34? It’s about the politics of rent control
Election 2024Prop 34 – sponsored by the California Apartment Association – looks like health care reform, but it’s crafted to stop one nonprofit from spending on politics.
New AI laws, San Francisco politics, ‘Entitlement’ novel
InternationalThe U.S. says Israel was behind this week’s remote detonations of Hezbollah’s communication devices. How was the operation pulled off?
Will Trump or Harris win undecided voters?
Election 2024The final campaign days are here. How are early voters affecting candidate strategies? Plus, the panel discusses how abortion rights may change the Nevada battleground.
Measure G would remake LA County government
PoliticsA ballot initiative would expand the number of LA County supervisors and create a new executive job, in the biggest change to local governance in generations.
Donald Trump to lose Orange County for third time
Election 2024While election day is over, votes are still being counted in Orange County. Currently Vice-President Kamala Harris is leading Donald Trump in Orange County.
Will Trump-Harris debate change voters’ minds?
PoliticsDid voters learn anything new from the Trump-Harris debate? Are live fact checks useful or fair? Plus, disinformation muddies the discourse on immigration.
US legislators harden stance on China, Brazil bans Musk’s X
PoliticsThe U.S. continues to take a firm stance on China. When does censorship go too far? Plus, California’s gas inventory may hurt its neighboring state, Nevada.
Another sales tax for homeless services: LA voters to decide
Election 2024Measure A – on LA County ballots this November – asks voters whether or not to approve a sales tax hike to fund homeless services and affordable housing.
Should we re-frame our idea of ‘working class’ voters?
PoliticsDoes “working class” mean what it used to? Is fracking getting more attention than it deserves? Plus, KCRW examines what came out of one culture war in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.