With Safire out of the line up at the NYTimes....who could replace him?
Consider:
The Times has a "Foreign Affairs Guy" in Friedman. And an "Economics Guy" in Krugman. Dowd is holding down "Lady Liberal" position. Brooks is the "Resident Conservative," not too bright, but a perfect "strawman" for the liberals to knock around a bit. Herbert is the token sensible Afro-American Guy. And, last but not least, Kristoff as a Middle Aged White Guy "daddy figure" with a heart of gold, who isn't quite old enough to be a card carrying curmudgeon like Safire......yet.
Where are the "editorial" gaps?
I'd suggest the following:
1. A 20-SOMETHING TECH SAVY STUD, TO HOLD THE "NEW ECONOMY" SLOT.
2. AN ORTHODOX JEW TO EXPLAIN THE LIKUD PARTY TO AMERICANS.
3. A BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN TO HELP LIBERALS "GET USED TO IT."
4. SOMEONE OVER THE AGE OF 80, TO EXPLAIN ADVANCED OLD AGE TO CLUELESS BOOMERS.
5. A BLACK RAP STAR TO INITIATE THE NYT READER INTO THE MYSTERIES OF NEW MUSIC.
6. A POLISH EMIGRE....TO EXPLAIN THE "NEW EUROPE," PREFERABLE WITH HIGH LEVEL CHESS PLAYING CREDENTIALS.
7. A QUISLING ARAB....TO DENOUNCE ISLAM AND ARABS AS BACKWARD PEOPLE....BEFORE HE HANGS HIMSELF.
8. AN OPENLY GAY MARRIED PERSON.
9. A REAL GENUINE BUBBA GOOD OLE BOY FROM A VERY VERY RED STATE..
10. HILLARY CLINTON!!
Let's hope the Times finds a suitable replacement for Safires curmudgeonly confusion.....soon...
