Posted on 09/13/2005 5:49:41 PM PDT by BurbankKarl
Former political commentator and columnist Michael Kinsley has resigned as editorial and opinion editor of the Los Angeles Times after 15 months at the paper.
Andres Martinez, hired by Kinsley last September from The New York Times to be editorial page editor, will take on a broader role overseeing the Times' opinion pages, publisher Jeffrey M. Johnson announced Tuesday.
Kinsley, 54, said in an interview with The New York Times in July that his arrangement to commute to his job from his home in Seattle had become a problem and that he was in discussions to change his role at the paper. At the time, Kinsley said he anticipated writing a column for the paper and consulting on Internet strategies.
Johnson's announcement said that while he spoke with Kinsley about other roles, "I concluded that it was best to make a clean break and I wish him well."
A message seeking comment from Kinsley was not returned.
Kinsley was hired by Times editor John S. Carroll, who stepped down from his post in July, one month after Johnson became publisher. Carroll was replaced by Dean Baquet. As part of the management transition, Johnson also gained authority over the editorial and opinion pages.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
From: Michael Kinsley
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 4:54 AM
Subject: local news
Hi. In case you haven't heard already, the Publisher is announcing this morning that I'm leaving the Los Angeles Times. The news stories a few weeks ago saying that I would be giving up managerial duties but staying with the paper were not wrong. That is what I wanted and what John Carroll wanted too. But Jeff wants a "clean break." He did offer to discuss at some future date the possibility of my continuing to write a column as a non-employee. And he raised the possibility of some consulting on web matters down the road.
This did not seem overly welcoming, and further inquiries by me and others have made clear that it wasn't intended to. For whatever reason, Jeff isn't merely uninterested in any future contribution I might make, but actively wants me gone. So I'm off, with some regret and some excitement, to the Washington Post, duties TBD but including the column. I hope it will continue to appear in the LA Times as well, but that is beyond my control.
I'm sorry this has ended on a bitter note. I've loved my brief time at the Los Angeles Times. I've learned a l lot, and made (I hope) some friends for life. Even the frustrations have been fascinating frustrations. And I think I've done some good for the paper, though others may not agree. The LA Times has some of the nicest people and finest journalists I've ever worked with, starting at the top with Dean. And even Jeff will have to give me credit for bringing in Andres. I expect great things from him, and from you.
Reading last Sunday's excellent Current section, put out while Bob was on vacation, it struck me that one test of an editor is how could his or per product is when he or she is not around. That is one way to measure the strength of an editor's vision and the quality of the people he or she has chosen to work with. Sipchen passes the test with flying colors. I'm counting on all of you to help me pass it too, starting now.
Thanks.
Mike
Ps I'm in DC, but there will be opportunities for mawkish farewells or spitballs in the next few weeks.
Whatever...
They mut be too conservative for him?
I'm overwrought with indifference...
Hey Mike, kma!
Must be that last column he wrote.
Oh the humanity!
Yeah, unfortunately he's going to the WAPO so we'll still be hearing from him.
Who?
Susan Estrich, liberal shill, will be overjoyed, based on her kvetching about his stay at the L.A. Times.
From February:
http://www.dcexaminer.com/articles/2005/02/16/OPINION/OP-ED/01aaaafestrichoped.txt
Owning an SUV - with THESE gas prices? It's cheaper to retire...
I can't recall when my flabber has ever been more gasted.
I am sure his ego is the real reason why he is leaving. In LA, no one gives two rat's asses about the editorial page editor of the local paper. The "important people" in that town only care about Variety, so he can't get a decent table, he is not invited to the cool parties. In LA he is just another "nobody".
Martinez? Wasn't he the Naked Guy at Berkeley?
I was wondering about that too. It went against the party line, which was a total shock to me!
At one time Kinsley was thought worthy of debating by Bill Buckley. Occasionally, he even held his own without embarrassing himself, but as liberals have become even more radical, he had to strain at the gnats and swallow the camels. Maybe he didn't swallow enough camels for the LA Times.
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