Farewell Michael Barone, U.S. News Wishes You the Best at the Washington Examiner
By Robert Schlesinger, Thomas Jefferson Street blog
Michael Barone can justifiably be called a fixture of political journalism, and it has been both a privilege and a personal pleasure working in the office next to his for the last year. Having Michael around is like having access to a walking, talking, writing, blogging, pontificating Almanac of American Politics: Not only can he discuss the particular demographics of, say, New York's 20th congressional district, he can do so for each election cycle dating back to the 1950s, when he first got his hands on a complete set of U.S. census figures. He has been an integral part of the exciting expansion of our opinion section here, including giving the Thomas Jefferson Street blog its name. So it is with regret but great affection that we all wish Michael the best of luck in his new position at the Washington Examiner.
Here's what U.S. News editor Brian Kelly had to say about Michael: "Over nearly two decades, Michael has become an institution at U.S. News and in American journalism. Few political analysts can match his encyclopedic knowledge regularly refreshed by shoe-leather reporting. He's been a unique thinker and a generous colleague and we'll continue to read his work wherever we can find it."
Michael will be missed, but Thomas Jefferson Street and the opinion section will remain a source of lively political debate and insight from all sides of the political spectrum with our growing roster of thoughtful and provocative bloggers, not to mention our great op-eds and columns and of course the daily cartoon.
So we'll go on, as has Michael Barone for lo these many years. At the end of the Republican convention in St. Paul last year, after the last balloons had settled to the floor of the convention hall and excited GOPers were still making their way to the exits, I stood beside Michael watching the scene. "That's the end of my 20th political convention," he said. "Brings a tear to my eye." I told him that I hoped he would make 20 more. He looked at me for a beat and then, with his twinkling dead-pan, uttered a brief response not suitable for a family blog. Michael, I still look forward to seeing you at 20 more of those things.
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Reader Comments
Right Wing Mudhole?
So Paul, who do you suppose, in your infinite wisdom and from the entire staff of US News, to be more objective than Michael Barone? I strongly doubt you would be able to recognize objectivity, even while it was changing your diaper. Here's a news flash for you, Paul: the decline of left leaning print media, such as the New York Times, US News, The Washington Post and others, is not the work of the right wing mudhole. It's a direct result of ill-disguised bias and loss of advertising revenue that used to pour into their coffers from the very capitalists these publications have made a habbit of vituperating. Even the capitalist was not born yesterday.
Until the mainstream news media realizes that their audience does not exist in a vacuum, and they simply want raw, unfiltered information so they can make up their own minds about how to think about the issues, they will continue to lose highly respected talent like Michael Barone. And for all I care, they deserve what's coming to them.
reflection
I have enjoyed Barone,s thoughts for many years Iwill miss those fine thoughts
Good Luck, Mr. Barone
I have been a frequent (if often dissenting) reader of Mr. Barone's columns, and I have always enjoyed debating with the other readers and giving them "what for" in a good natured way. No one can dispute his skill and wide political experience.I wish him luck and happiness in his new endeavors.
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