Steve Malanga and I talked about the conflict of interest between reforming broken state pension systems and the legislator’s own benefits packages [WSJ Article], but we almost didn’t. 

I arrived at the radio station about 11am central time already forming that afternoon’s show in my head as I walked up to my cubicle. Suddenly, I realized I had mixed up my schedule and was an hour late for of an interview I had scheduled with Steven Malanga who writes about the economy and is former editor of Crain’s New York Business, current editor of City Journal, and contributing writer for the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, and RealClearMarkets.com.

I screwed up. I emailed his publicist apologizing for my mistake and now I had to come up with another segment for the show. The publicist got back to me saying Steve was still available if I called him ASAP. I decided I would call him, apologize and keep him on the line no more than 15 minutes. I felt rude asking for any more time than that, plus it was already a time crunch for me and would mean I was going to be 15 minutes late for an important presentation by my boss.

When I called Steve I was concerned that I had ruined the interview before it even got started. I couldn’t tell if he was annoyed with me or not at the beginning of the conversation when I said hello but I plowed forward. Ultimately, the conversation went well. He gave us good information about the issue and related it locally by talking about former Chicago mayor Richard M. Daley and his ‘side-eye’ worthy benefits package. I even made Steve laugh at one point.

After the conversation aired I got a few messages from listeners who found the conversation to be interesting and informative. As for my boss’ presentation… she waited until I was done to begin. On one hand, very considerate, on the other collective scowls from staff as I entered the meeting 15 minutes late.

[more on Steve Malanga at the Manhattan Institute]

[photo by LN]