Ridge: Conservative radio hosts are too ‘shrill’

Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge (R) just said that Republican talk show hosts, including Rush Limbaugh, tend to be too “shrill” and “judgmental.”

Ridge, appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” said, “I think a lot of our commentators are being shrill.”

And he added about Limbaugh:

“Well, I think Rush articulates his point of view in ways that offend very many. It’s a matter of language and a matter of how you use words. It does get the base all fired up and he’s got a strong following. But personally, if he would listen to me and I doubt if he would, the notion is express yourselves but let’s respect others opinions and let’s not be divisive.”

Ridge also said that the GOP needs to be be more inclusive by focusing on ideas, not individuals.

“Let’s lead our party based on some principles that have been very much a part of who we are for decades. And let’s be less shrill in terms of — and particularly, let’s not attack other individuals. Let’s attack their ideas. Let’s explain in a rational, thoughtful, responsible and reasonable way why our ideas and our approach are more acceptable and why they should be more acceptable to the average citizen.”

jeremy.jacobs@digital-staging.thehill.com