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.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/cm/member-reviews/-/A12PAMLZ1QJ1UA/1/ref=cm_mp_rv/t/002-8940146-5358449