[Wallace T.]

P.J. O’Rourke is one of a long list of formerly prominent conservative writers who have long since past their expiration dates. Peggy Noonan, Pat Buchanan, R. Emmett Tyrell, and George Will are other examples. Fighting uphill in the Washington environment leads to some compromise of principle. Then there is the aging factor. Even prominent American writers like Mark Twain and H.L. Mencken wrote their best works before late middle age. It happens on the Left as well. If Garrison Keillor was ever funny, he surely is not humorous now. His Lake Wobegone show on PBS is dreadful, although I have not listened to it since 1998 or so.

[icwhatudo]

“It happens on the Left as well”

Gretta?

Unending Clinton supporter during impeachment and buried most Chinagate stories.

Sold her DC home for 3x asking price to....the Chinese government.

But, like Clintons 2am phone call to lewinski to tell her Curries brother was killed in a hit and run and she (Lewinski) was now a witness against him....few remember..even less care.

[Responsibility2nd]

Great list.

Add Bill Bennet and Ben Stein to that list. I used to love their works. But they went soft.

[irishjuggler]

Agree with you on the others, but I still like Pat Buchanan. I don’t think that Pat can be credibly accused of selling out conservatism or losing his edge, even if you disagree with him on certain issues (e.g., Israel).

[PowderMonkey]

"P.J. O’Rourke is one of a long list of formerly prominent conservative writers who have long since past their expiration dates...It happens on the Left as well."

This. New battle lines are being drawn. New figures and agendas on both the left and right are emerging. There's a storm on the horizon, and we are headed into uncharted waters.