10 Questions with ... Charles Payne

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

After four years in the US Air Force, I began my career on Wall Street at EF Hutton as a securities analyst. After little more than a year, I left the firm to become a broker at a boutique brokerage firm. While at the firm, I made significantly more money but tired of the stock-of-the-day approach that mitigated my knowledge and love of research. I eventually began my own independent research firm, Wall Street Strategies, to initially help brokers and professional investors. Soon, however, I began offering our work to individuals as well. Our research is built on an approach that combines fundamental, technical and behavioral analysis. A series of big time calls brought attention to WSS, and, soon, I was asked to appear on TV.

I soon was doing a ton of TV including CNNfn and CNBC. By 2004, I became a paid contributor to Fox News, and I’ve been a part of the Fox Business channel since its launch four years ago. I also launched my first radio show, “The Charles Payne Show,” in March 2009 on KFI, based in Los Angeles. My first book was released by Wiley: “Be Smart Act Fast Get Rich.”

1. Your background was on Wall Street, but you ultimately added pundit and radio host to the resume. How did radio come about -- did you seek it out or did it come to you?

It was a combination of both. When I initially began going on TV, I was shocked at how little some of the interviewers knew about the subjects. I realize they didn't have to be experts but still... I began to think I could do the job, bringing my knowledge, passion and thirst for understanding to the table.

2. You've been doing a show for KFI for some time now; is the syndicated show in the same vein of financial information, or do you plan to expand the scope of your topics?

Payne Nation is in the same vein, since I never did KFI as a local show. We deal in an interconnected world, and it's critical to understand politics in Finland as well as Ventura County. I plan to dig beneath the surface to find the truth, but also to make sure people don't lose faith, as headlines generally are negative and, while we are in a tough situation, the country is still great- something it's forgotten.

3. At this stage, what's your opinion on the effect the Occupy protests are having, if any, on the nation or the financial markets? Putting aside the nature of the protestors and the events themselves, is there, in your opinion, reason for the public to be concerned or upset with the financial industry?

The liberal media is trying so hard to help OWS become a counterpoint to the tea party, but I don't think it's going to happen. OWS lost credibility when it allowed unions and anarchists to take over. Sure, class warfare will be a dominant theme in 2012, as failure is blamed on the notion someone else got up and went to work and somehow hurt that person that woke up later and played video games all day. I agree there should have been no bailouts for Wall Street or other industries... bankruptcy in this nation is a great process and failure is part of capitalism.

4. Regarding the other widespread protest movement, you've spoken at Tea Party events in the past; do you see the Tea Party as still having an impact in the 2012 elections? Have they peaked or are they still a viable force?

Not sure if the Tea Party has peaked or not; They sure seem to have lost that zest. Of course they are organized, but I think they better get from behind their desks and computers and back out there next spring. They will have an impact, but, right now, less than midterm elections.

5. You've been using Facebook and Twitter in conjunction with your show -- how important is social media to what you're doing?

I think social media is important, but I'm not 100% sold on the hype. I see it as a platform that can be used for making money, but also for spreading false stories, woeful predicaments and fanning the flames that hurt us- especially younger people. It can't be ignored, but many people learned that slapping ".com" on business wasn't a magic bullet, and the same may be true for social media- I know I'm in the minority but just sayin'...

6. Who have been your mentors and inspirations in your career?

The amount of trial and error in media is amazing...wow...I've learned the most from watching and listening to Neil Cavuto, Stuart Varney and Glenn Beck. I like Bryant Gumbel's delivery on HBO, and on radio I like Bill Handel's approach although I'm trying to be even keeled.

7. With your background and growing influence, can you see yourself ever trying a run for elected office? What's the plan for your career looking ten or twenty years out?

I have been asked so many times and I think if I hadn't been too human in my lifetime I could have won the GOP primary next year- I'm serious. But I have too many faults, too many things I had to learn the hard way, too many epiphanies to be overlooked. I think God has blessed me now to help people in a different way, and along the way become a better man.

8. Of what are you most proud?

Of myself, I'm most proud I have the ability to learn and alter who I am as a person. I love to learn and to share knowledge.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without __________.

...reading/learning something...anything.

10. What's the most important lesson you've learned in your career?

To always be a student in life- never stop and think you have all the answers. I also learned hard work may not take you to the very top but it always lifts you off the bottom. I've learned you never give up- although I knew that from growing up I'm reminded everyday from different stories and living in America.