Frank RICH "trends Lib" But Not a Lib Apologist and "had no use for KERRY"

[UTUSN]

*******QUOTE*******

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B6848B195%2D48C7%2D4967%2DB4B8%2DA21155999AC6%7D&siteid=mktw

Not an apologist

.... Rich stresses that he is anything but an apologist for the lefties and all of their causes. "I trend liberal but I had no use for John Kerry," he told me.

Rich is known for his dedication to holding Bush accountable for what he perceives to be the president's gross mismanagement of foreign and domestic policy. ....

...his previous incarnation as a Times theater critic - one who was so feared that his handle on the Great White Way was "The Butcher of Broadway" - trained him well. He saw how a writer can create drama without succumbing to melodrama.

Rich's March 27th column earlier this year, for example, discussed the hideous politicking and grandstanding surrounding the death of Terri Schiavo and noted the relevance of ABC airing the 1956 extravaganza, "The Ten Commandments." ....

********UNQUOTE*******

[Pirate Smile]

1. This is the standard problem liberals and Dems have - we

nail each other as much or worse (because we expect more from other liberals and Dems) then the Republicans do.

The Republicans love blind obedience and allegiance but we question and bitch about everything even from people we agree with on most things.

It is both our strength and our weakness.

[Mass]

2. My guess is that he was saying that Kerry is too lefty

This will probably surprise many here, but Rich is not exactly a liberal Democrat, so there should be no surprise there.

[NYCGirl]

3. That wouldn't be my guess, since lots of "lefties" had some problems

with Senator Kerry and his campaign.

[Mass]

4. I am talking about Rich, not the lefties.

Rich is not a lefty, on the contrary. Read the first line, it is clear it is what he is saying (I am not saying he is right).

[NYCGirl]

6. You're assuming an awful lot. Perhaps Rich's problems with Kerry are not

what you stated. Even "lefties" had misgivings.

[Mass]

7. I may be assuming a lot, you're right

Without context, this is what this excerpt makes me think. And interpreting without context is one of the biggest sport on DU, is it not?
:sarcasm:

[NYCGirl]

5. I'd like to read the rest of the article, but it's no longer at that link.

Can you update it?

[UTUSN]

8. Done - Try the New Link

Lately, the ROMENESKO site has been linking back to its home page instead of to the source links, perhaps to credit itself.

[NYCGirl]

9. Thanks for doing that. It's a fine interview, and well worth a read. NT

[UTUSN]

10. Oh Missed Page 2: Something wrong if people agree w U all the time"

*************QUOTE*********

Rich said he is constantly aware of the first rule of being a columnist.

"You're doing something wrong if people agree with you all the time," he said. "A writer's job is to be as honest as possible. Opinion journalism is not meant to be a popularity contest."

**********UNQUOTE*********

[second edition]

11. Who is Frank Rich, really! Someone out to garner some attention.

I don't find him credible.

[Mass]

12. The man is entitled to his opinion - that is just that: an opinion.

The OP emphasizes what is in fact one line in the article. The whole goal of the article is to describe Rich as a serious and thoughtful, but not too liberal columnist (in fact in a direct bashing to Dowd and Krugman).

As for the line that the OP chose, you're free to agree or disagree with it, but it is clear that Rich is not an apologist for the lefties. No surprise there, and we already knew, thanks to his articles during the campaign that he had no use for Kerry. So what? It is his opinion.