Monday, January 26, 2009

The Times They Are A-Changing, But Not That Much

Following up on Ahab's post...The New York Times may have shitcanned Bill Kristol, but that doesn't mean they've joined the Reality-Based Community. From Scott Horton:

The source makes clear that the decision not to renew Kristol’s contract is not related to his neoconservative ideology—Kristol’s proximity to key Washington players ranging from Bush and Cheney to John McCain (whom he supported in 2000) was considered a distinct plus. His leading advocacy of the Iraq War also added to his appeal.
Close to corrupt, dishonest ideologues? "A distinct plus." Egregiously, shamelessly, stupidly wrong about everything? That just "added to his appeal."

Noel Sheppard of NewsBusters is saying Kristol was fired for disloyalty rather than factual errors, and while he takes the obligatory dishonest swipes at Krugman, he isn't wholly wrong: if Kristol hadn't bashed the Times on the Daily Show, he would still be writing for them.