It’s hard to respect a “journalist” who repeatedly insulted and mocked leading conservatives he was assigned cover, and even wished death on some of them, to a secretive email list comprised of liberal media figures around the country. Whatever this says about Weigel’s political orientation, it speaks loudly and clearly to the fact that he was an unprofessional jerk, and that’s putting it kindly.
Weigel has mostly owned up to this fact, which I think says something positive about his character.
But as long as Weigel is airing more of his “Journolist” laundry, perhaps it should be pointed out that at one point in time Weigel aired this same kind of vitriol against leading liberal figures.
For example, do you think Dave still thinks Paul Krugman is “obviously insane”, “simple-minded” and a “cancer on the Times“? Does he still think that Krugman’s column is a “litany of propaganda, lies, and insults”?
Does he still think that Maureen Dowd “sucks” and that her work is “absolute tripe”? Does he still wonder: “why is this woman employed”?
Because I sure do (all of the above), but then I do not have a professional need to ingratiate myself with the liberal media establishment.
Weigel claims that at one point he was conservative, and the record suggests that at one point he actually was. In fact, he even went so far at one point to claim he was a “rabid conservative” who gets “a contact high from attacking silly liberals.” (You know, like Sarah Palin.)
But one thing seems to be missing throughout what is a pretty voluminous catalog of blog posts and articles written by Weigel during his “conservative” phase, and that is any significant elaboration on, or promotion of, conservative policy or principle.
Given that Weigel voted for Ralph Nader in 2000 before voting for Kerry in 2004 and Obama in 2008, might Weigel’s stint as a “rabid conservative” best be explained as a college-era whim, a way to fit-in with the peers he wished to associate with?
Weigel’s bio on his college-era blog may provide the answer (emphasis added):
Q. Are you a conservative? I thought you voted for Nader.
A. When I came to NU, I was several shades more liberal than I am today. As I learned more about economics and political science and spent more time working with the Chron staff, my opinions shifted right. For the moment I’m still a Democrat, because it’s as much a part of my family as bad skin and compulsive weight gain, but I’m more Joe Lieberman than Paul Wellstone. I did vote for Ralph Nader in 2000, which I regret. If the election were held today I’d vote for George Bush.
Q. Why do you work for the Chron?
A. Originally it was because I was friends with the editors, Josh and Michael. Now it’s because I really am a rabid conservative and get a contact high from attacking silly liberals.
You be the judge. But whatever the case, there is a place for talented reporters who make a career out of mocking conservatives to ingratiate themselves with the liberal establishment. It’s called the mainstream media and I expect Weigel to have a long and prosperous career there.
Just don’t expect to see him working with Paul Krugman and Maureen Dowd at the New York Times.
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