I am deeply saddened and shocked to learn that Tony Blankley has died. Tony, by virture of his quite remarkable career and background spanning Hollywood and Washington, California and the East Coast, the US and Great Britain, was himself a wealth of experience and treasured knowledge, very much of the “old school” despite his Baby Boom birth. A man of a debonair and ebullient patriotism, Tony, his sharp pen and steadying voice will be greatly missed.
On a personal note, I will add that as editorial page editor at the Washington Times between 2002 and his much-lamented departure in 2007, Tony was always extremely supportive of my work, both my weekly column — then at the Wash Times and on Tony’s arrival still in its earlier phase of jihad and dhimmitude exploration — and my 2007 book The Death of Grown-Up, which he quite generously praised. I imagined him remaining at the Washington Times forever — wishful thinking. It seemed to be a perfect platform for his talents, and a great support for the rest of us. On leaving the paper, however, he by no means left the arena, as this email he wrote me at the time attests:
September 20, 2007
Dear Diana,
Thanks for kind words. I am trying to have it all–we shall see. I will continue the column in the WT and syndicated by Creators. I’m also continuing on McLaughlin, my weekly NPR show and assorted other media. I’ll
be doing some research on the failures of our governments communications to the nation and world duration WOT. And I’ll be exec vp for global public affairs at Edelman International.
I hope I have the energy and ability to do all these things well. My theory is there is time enough to rest in the
grave. I hope we keep in contact. I’ll still be around town. By the way, your book has genuinely added to our national conversation — congrats.
Cheers,
Tony
—
RIP.