Lest it go without comment, Byron York’s
departure from National Review is sad news, though
by his account, mutual and entirely amicable. York’s reportage
helped NR really step up its coverage of politics, rather than
contribute analysis. In the NR Washington Bureau, York does
leaves behind a few excellent reporters in his wake — Mark
Hemingway (yet another Spectator alum) and David Freddoso (whose
first book was a New York Times Bestseller, and who is getting
married this week).
He’s also set an excellent example, not only for his colleagues
(who have plenty of excellent examples anyway), but for young
writers looking to find their place in journalism. Whenever a big
name like York goes from a conservative magazine to a mainstream
print publication, it should be viewed as a positive development
for both. Conservative reporting mustn’t be limited to the
conservative publishing ghetto where the mainstream press isn’t
likely to look (or look with respect). It’s a testament to the
quality of his reporting that he is so widely cited in spite of
being ideologically affiliated. When York was writing for
AmSpec, this was the case. The man has journalistic
gravitas.
The DC Examiner has recently been ramping up its news coverage
and as chief political correspondent, York will undoubtedly pull
the Examiner back into competition against Politico. Best of luck
to him.
C Bowen| 2.3.09 @ 2:57PM
Didn't Mr. York back stab AmSpec and Mr.Tyrell after leaving?
I never understood why he was in the magazine--he'd write thousands of words on how Whitewater wasn't going anywhere and how Newt Gingrich was going to have a comeback (news of the affair with a staffer came out right after).
How could a serious reporter, rather than a boot licker, not have known about Newt's gal? Or was he just keeping quiet?
ruth| 2.3.09 @ 4:42PM
I thought Byron York was a good guy. Did I miss something?
J. Peter Freire | 2.4.09 @ 3:51AM
York wrote a piece that told the story of AmSpec's near-demise to the best of his knowledge. I don't mind it -- it was a good piece that certainly told one side of the events, but, having worked here, t here's more to the story that I don't imagine would be easy to incorporate into such a story.
ruth| 2.5.09 @ 3:18AM
Because of TrooperGate? I remember those days and I thought TAS was absolutely heroic. The Clintons are tough--I wouldn't want to be on their radar screen.