Same with me. New Republic was also influential even though it's just right of center. I count myself as more conservative than Commentary, The New Republic and the neo conservatives. Still ....I learnt a lot from them.
I remeber that name Ruth Wisse. Keep your eye on Daniel Pipes. This guy talks tough and bottom line. He does NOT waste your time
I already subscribe to Pipes email letter, and have been familiar with his works, for a while. His book "Conspiracy: How the Paranoid Style Flourishes, and Where It Comes From", is superb.
I always felt that TNR was actually a fairly liberal magazine, and seemed to lean towards the Democrats. It's only within the last 5 years that I've noticed a drift towards the center. I tend to agree with most of Commentary's viewpoints.
Ruth Wisse writes for Commentary, and has published several books.