I’M WATCHING PHIL DONAHUE AND NEAL BOORTZ ON MSNBC NOW — and it’s obvious why Boortz has Donahue beat hollow in ratings. Donahue keeps accusing Boortz of being “thunderous,” but Donahue’s critique is idea-free and sneering, while Boortz is talking about actual ideas. “Why does Donahue have a show?” asks my wife.

Beats me.