Free Republic

Legendary broadcaster Hugh Downs has died at the age of 99, according to a statement from his family. He passed away at his Scottsdale, Arizona, home Wednesday evening. A spokeswoman for the family said that Downs did not have COVID-19, according to azfamily.com. Downs’ broadcast career spanned more than 60 years, including such shows as “20/20,” the “Today Show,” “Concentration” and “Tonight Starring Jack Paar.”

I cannot recall anybody who ever categorized Hugh Downs as either an extremist or even a mild right-winger. And this is why this now-retired American broadcaster, renowned TV host-producer and author of an electrifying column headlined "Obama will lose" should have received – but did not – front-page and prime-time coverage all over the U.S. The following are highlights from a three and one-half page article: * "Barack Obama will be defeated. Seriously and convincingly defeated. Not due to racism, not due to the forces of reaction, not even due to Karl Rove sending out mind rays over the national...