Harger: One year of daily commentaries. A few things I’ve learned in this chair

One year ago tomorrow, I started doing a daily commentary on “Seattle’s Morning News.” But to tell you where this really started, I have to go back to 1989.

I had my first opinion column at 14

Back in 1989, as a high school freshman, I got hooked on journalism. I spent all four years on the student newspaper. My freshman year was the last year of Woodway High School, and the paper was called the Gaelia. Then the schools merged into Edmonds-Woodway, and the paper became the Wireless. Different name, same kid with a head full of steam.

I also thought it was important for people to know my opinions. So I started a column called “Charger Chat.” Get it? C. Harger. Charger. Very hard-hitting stuff. I’m sure the administration trembled.

By the time I graduated in 1993, I’d figured something out. Calling balls and strikes was more interesting to me than telling people which team to root for. So I put the opinions away for more than 30 years.

Then Dave Ross retired, and the boss had a suggestion

When Dave retired and I became the host, I didn’t want people to think I was copying him. Decades in a news career, and I’d gotten pretty good at not having opinions. Or at least not admitting them.

Then the boss said, “Hey, you might want to bring a point of view to some segments of the show.” Which is management-speak for: bring a point of view to certain segments of the show.

I toyed with calling it Charger Chat again. Decided against it. Some things should stay in high school.

But the audience really likes a commentary at 7:35 a.m. So every weekday since, you’ve got me opining. The kid with the column is back. He just has a longer commute.

A year in, I’ve figured out a few things.

There are entire cable channels devoted to national politics. I can’t add much to that conversation

You might notice I tend to focus on local issues. There are entire cable channels devoted to national politics. One tells you what a fabulous job the guy in the White House is doing. The other tells you how awful and old he is. Four years ago, those positions were reversed.

Those networks spend 24/7 talking about national politics, with dozens of opinions shared every day. I can’t add much to that conversation.

But you know what I’ve noticed after decades of covering this state? Almost nobody is watching what’s happening 10 miles from your house with the same energy you see on cable news. Your property taxes. Your bus route. The cop staffing in your city. The rule that lets a guy with 16 warrants walk out of court on a promise. That stuff affects your life more than most of what’s on cable, and it gets a fraction of the attention.

The watchdog principle

Democrats control roughly 60% of the legislature. They probably are going to pick up a couple more seats this November. The last Republican governor won in 1980. Republicans have very little power in Seattle, King County, or Washington state politics. So when I am critical of leaders or policies, it’s not because I have it in for Democrats. I don’t. I have my eye on those in charge. You don’t bark at the neighbor’s house. You bark at whoever’s on your porch.

I get messages from listeners who think I’m too hard on the left. I get messages from listeners who think I’m not hard enough. Same week. I figure if both tribes are mad at me, I’m probably standing in roughly the right spot.

A retired state lawmaker named Brian sends me feedback on the text line. He sent me a note a couple of months ago I’ve taken it to heart: I can’t be on full blast every day. Most days. But not every day.

Why it matters

One more thing. I love this state. I love the city of Seattle. When I’m critical, when I go after a policy or a spending decision or a system that’s failing, it’s not because I think this place is a lost cause. The criticism comes from the same place as the love does. You don’t bark about things you don’t care about.

And I didn’t fully appreciate how much work this was for Dave Ross until I tried doing it myself. What an unbelievable run.

Every morning at 7:35 a.m., you let me into your car, your kitchen, your commute. That’s a privilege, and I don’t plan on wasting it.

To year two.

Charlie Harger is the host of “Seattle’s Morning News” on KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of his stories and commentaries here. Follow Charlie on X and email him here. 

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