In 2005, Newsweek’s Howard Fineman wrote:
A political party is dying before our eyes — and I don’t mean the Democrats. I’m talking about the “mainstream media,” which is being destroyed by the opposition (or worse, the casual disdain) of George Bush’s Republican Party; by competition from other news outlets (led by the internet and Fox’s canny Roger Ailes); and by its own fraying journalistic standards.
This month, Newsweek, owned by the Washington Post, begins a partnership with Air America. Icebergs? You’re soaking in them!
Related: Newsweek’s anouncement comes–coincidentally or not–hot on the heels of their cover story by David Frum denouncing Rush Limbaugh, who of course is Air America’s Emmanuel Goldstein, and with the photo of a gagged Limbaugh, wishing he was off the air. About which, Jay Nordlinger has some thoughts that are well worth your time.
Air America still exists! Will wonders never cease?
You know, since every other magazine today leans left, you’d think an entrepreneurial type might see that as an opening to lean a little right, or even smack dab toward the center.
What we’re seeing is a battle for the soul of the Republican party. Frum is the “Democrat lite” wing which gave us McCain. Rush is a child of Reagan. Personally, I’d like to see the Frums move over to the Dems and leave the Republican party some clarity of principle, instead of more “me too” politics.