I wonder why the completely unnecessary swipe at Jennifer Rubin? I thinks she has some of the sharpest political commentary around - much more in depth than, say “Sir Alert!”
Yes, the old GOP is way off the rails, over a cliff and at the bottom of Wiley E. Coyote’s canyon. The new GOP is alive and well and steamrolling the pathetic, out of touch democrat party.
Chris writes "I don’t think the resignation of Jen Rubin, announced this morning, is such a big deal. And my guess is that the bosses at the Washington Post don’t either.)" Wanna bet?? Jen Rubin's resignation has just cost the Post my subscription. It is the final blow. I admire Eugene Robinson, appreciate Dana Milbank and greatly respect the work of Dan Balz. But too many greats have left too quickly. And for Chris Cillizza to suggest that Jen Rubin's resignation is not a big deal is laughable. I note that he doesn't explain why he thinks the loss of a major, hugely popular columnist is not a big deal but I'm sure I am not alone in thinking that the Bezos endorsement decision disaster, combined with the massive loss of talent, is a very big deal, indeed.
As I stated earlier, Jen's resignation is a big deal to me as well. I am THIS close (holding my thumb and forefinger almost touching) to canceling my WaPo subscription. Only Robinson and Philip Bump are keeping me there. I see them on Bluesky or somewhere else, it's Bon Voyage WaPo!
Excuse me, but Jennifer Rubin's resignation is a BIG deal to me! Her articles, along with Eugene Robinson and Philip Bump, are the main reasons I subscribe to WaPo. She gives great opinions, mostly on the left. I've been saving many of her articles since 2021. I will miss her greatly, and will try to follow her on her future endeavors.
And now I see where Philip Bump is shifting to the opinion side of WaPo. He seems OK with his move, but he and Robinson are the only reasons I have left to keep my subscription. If and when they opine more on Bluesky, that's when I am through with WaPo.
You DO know she was a Republican. From her own words: "As many of you know, I was a mainstream Republican until Trump came along. I — and those who value the rule of law, civic virtue, objective reality, human rights, U.S. leadership in the world, pluralism and some notion of the “public good” — can’t tolerate a party that thrives on White grievance, Christian nationalism, conspiracies, know-nothingism, hostility to effective government, isolationism and violence." Hardly a lefty in my book.
I honestly suspect Chris doesn't know that Jen was a Republican. As with everything he didn't know about the JFK assassination, every good thing he (intentionally?) missed or ignored about the Biden administration and his (admitted) failure to vote in a HUGELY consequential election Chris seems lacking in basic information about far too many topics.
Jennifer Rubin's space in the WaPo was originally titled "Right Turn" and was mainstream center-right from a different, younger perspective than most of the WaPo's "conservative" writers. While today her views align more with mine, I do miss the former center-right take she had on things. Another victim of Trump's "show".
Chris, this is the first time I’ve ever responded to something you’ve written. I have followed your career for over a decade, both in your time at the Washington Post, through your tenure at CNN, and now on your independent journalism journey with Substack.
I enjoy your varied opinions, even when you and I do not agree, and I respect what you have been trying to build here in a community sense as you strive to accomplish your stated goals (ie. tell the truth within a community you’ve built, try to be as unbiased as possible, and to make both a difference and a living doing what you love to do.)
However, your throwaway comment about Jennifer Rubin (which was provided with absolutely no context or explanation) achieved none of the goals you spouse on a daily basis with your Substack. It reeked of something strangely personal to the reader, and of a journalist losing the plot as he attacks someone and bullies someone in a space where they cannot defend themselves).
I have followed Jen‘s career for the same amount of time as yours, and one of the reasons I respect both of you is that there is some integrity in the how and the why behind your individual opinions. She writes passionately and as she’s grown over the years, she often takes stances on certain topics, which are important to her whereas you rarely do. She does this because she understands it is an opinion she is giving, and she also explains in-depth why she feels the way she does and why she is expressing it.
I understand your reasons for not taking certain concrete stances on issues throughout the years, but your dismissal of her (as a person, as a journalist, and most importantly, as someone going through a difficult time in her occupation - which you should empathize with) does not come across as journalistic integrity, it comes across as unprofessional on your part. Full stop.
Even in your post today, as well as in countless previous posts you have made on this newsletter, you have expressed your need to engage with your readers, to respect your readers, and to know what your readers want as subscribers. Each time I have observed you engaging with your subscribers (free or paid) in the comments of your Substack, you are combative, you belittle opinions, and there is a sarcastic dismissal of people who you do not agree with. Even in your comment that I am responding to right now, your use of the term “lefty“ does not even begin to do any of the things that you have stated are paramount to your two-year-long independent journalism journey, and to this community.
Just as people contemplate canceling their subscriptions to the Washington Post, your political and cultural commentary as of late (minus your family and personal journey posts which are nearly universally respected and adored), has become more difficult to read, especially as someone who appreciates you from a writing perspective.
I don’t know why you are slowly losing your professional edge, but it saddens me as a follower of yours. I am neither far left wing, nor far right wing in my political views, but today is the first time that I have ever considered canceling my subscription to your Substack.
It would be okay if you had chosen to explain your opinion of Jennifer, Ruben in your post today, but from a journalistic standpoint, your sidebar had no journalistic reason for being in your post, as you did not expand upon it or justify its inclusion. If you still had an editor, he/she would’ve immediately struck down that sidebar and they would have told you to remove it or to spend the time justifying its inclusion.
I am disappointed in you, and as a years-long fan of yours, that pains me to say. If you need future suggestions for a tagline for your Substack, I would recommend “Be Better and Do Better”, because the content of your newsletter is devolving as of late for reasons I do not understand, and I truly want you to succeed in the space you’re in now. The only way you do that is if you listen to your community, not belittle or fight with it.
I’ve followed Chris for as many years as you, and the decline of important analysis in Chris’s column over the last half year has been a true disappointment to me. At one point, So What was my first read every single day, but it’s gotten to the point that I’ll read The Bulwark, Jay Kuo, Heather Cox Richardson, Joyce Vance, Gabe Fleisher, Charlie Sykes, etc. *first*, and only if the subject is of interest will I read Chris’s work.
I, as you, do want Chris to succeed, but it’s getting harder and harder to care. Yes, he is *extremely* combative in his rare responses to readers’ comments and, as someone that understands “customer service” intimately (I managed client accounts for a high-tech software/hardware vendor for some of the largest media and entertainment entities in the world), I can say with a good deal of firsthand knowledge that Chris is failing in this regard.
I truly appreciate the So What community that Chris has created and for that reason virtually alone, I stay a paid subscriber. His defensiveness, and the slow decline of quality reporting, make me reconsider my decision, once it’s time to renew…..
Telling the truth isn’t being reactionary. Being reactionary is being political. Chris is reactionary as a writer.
I feel as though Chris is continually playing that game of reacting to the sides of the political spectrum he sees and his desire to be perceived as in the middle or as fair in his writings no matter where the truth actually lies. Honest analysis would never be worried about the perception of such political sides. Chris thinks appearing neutral means attacking each side, as if that equals his subscribers believing he has taken no side himself. It’s a man worried about how he looks as a journalist within the current political climate instead of sticking to personal values or some kind of mission statement. That type of journalism is not brave. It’s cowardly. It’s afraid of being judged for actually taking a stand on something and letting your readers know exactly why you have come to that conclusion.
The thing that bugs me the most about the product Chris is currently offering is that there’s often a whiff of hypocrisy to it. He’ll pitch one thing and offer another. He is also repeatedly choosing to come across as flippant or dismissive or sarcastic or superior to the very readers he says are important to him within his community on Substack. In order to understand the type of hypocrisy I’m describing, think back to when Chris called out Biden for pardoning his son. Whether you agreed with Chris or not, it was a perfectly reasonable commentary on his part to call out what he saw as Biden’s hypocrisy, and failing to live up to the standard he set for himself. In listening to Chris promote his Substack since he launched it, the things he has promised his readers and the independence he claims to offer as a contrast to mainstream media become hollow as Chris engages in the same type of rhetoric and the same tactics used in the very thing he’s trying to stand apart from or neutral to. In my opinion, that makes him the same type of hypocrite he has criticized in the past.
The short version is that Chris is becoming more political, even as he claims to be apolitical. I respect a person who at least says who they are instead of someone who comes across as playing a game, political or otherwise, with who they are and what they stand for.
I guarantee you that Chris has read my previous response, and his decision not to engage with his readers on this thread, even after he himself chose to begin this thread with his above comment, kind of illustrates the type of hypocrisy I’m talking about. If his lofty claims of community and dialogue and truth are not just a hollow sales pitch, he would’ve responded by now (not to argue or defend himself per se, but to acknowledge readers concerns - that’s what a community leader should do).
I miss when Chris wasn’t just a salesman. I wish he meant the things that he has said this newsletter is meant to be.
Biden is a dementia patient that has let us into World War III. Trump is one of the best presidents this country has ever had and we’re about to have him again in a few more days thank God. Jennifer Rubin is a lying piece of seditious shit. Is that what you are also?
I generally agree with your analysis on most things, even when they are critical of my chosen party, but I think this is completely wrong and oddly dismissive and disrespectful in a way that seems contrary to your stated principles. When you were both at the Post, Rubin was a staunch Republican and wrote as many columns lambasting Hillary Clinton about Benghazi as you did about emails. She's evolved, probably as a result of experience (the Iraq war and nation-building not turning out like she expected) but is clearly a principled conservative, at least on constitutional and international issues, not a "lefty." And even on domestic issues, I suspect you can search and search and never find her endorsing the Green New Deal or Defund the Police. True, she was and is staunchly pro-Roe and anti-Dobbs, but that's not an exclusively lefty position.
Sorry, Chris. You've got this wrong unless appeasement was what you are shooting for.. Washington may be the center of the Empire but it will be the backwaters and hinterlands where democracy, equality and equity are valued over power and position which will be home to real journalism. Appeasement won't serve the meaning of Democracy Dies In Darkness.
It’s great that you are honest Chris. I appreciate it. It’s how you see the world. And it’s also the reason for the demise of mainstream media.
And our Republic managed to elect as President someone who’s supported by less than 30% of voting Americans. lol.
The media, mainstream and social, is a reflection of our culture. Americans are at war with each other. Capitalism is a terrible beauty. Pick a side. Which subscriptions will win? Which will lose.
In 2020, there were 168.31M people registered to vote. In 2024, Trump got 77.3M votes. That’s 45.9% of registered voters, so I’m not sure where ‘King Donald got his 30% of VOTING Americans, but 77.3M is less that 23% of ALL Americans, if that’s what he meant to say.
And it’s a simple fact that Trump won the EC by 280K votes in 7 swing states. That’s 00.15% of voting Americans. Hardly the “mandate” that MAGA likes to pretend it is…
Trump is many things and ‘bad’ doesn’t begin to describe him. With all his flaws, Joe is a good man. He was a good president. He’s got a great record to rest on.
Exactly. I didn't know she's bailed until I read your article just now, but it made me smile. I didn't think she'd actually do it as she's probably unemployable, but no great loss for sure.
Why isn't Jennifer Rubin's resignation a big deal...she is one of their very best writers...I immediately subscribed to The Contrarian...and of course unsubscribed from WaPo...which I used to love during the campaign when they started sucking up to tRump.
WA Post owner, Bezos is paying Trump millions of dollars and spiking anti Trump stories. Isn’t that the answer? We’ve mocked FoxNews for years about spouting its pro Trump propaganda, yet that still has a successful business model. Compared to other mainstream media. But it’s not based on truth or the support of democracy. Which the majority of Americans want.
67% of voting Americans (not all Americans, of course, too young to vote) did not vote for Trump. And are at war with him. And with any corrupt federal judge, politician or official who protects his malfeasance.
That’s your audience Chris. Best of luck getting them to subscribe though.
I have subscribed to the Post (first in paper, then digitally) since 1984. When Bezos killed the endorsement of Harris, I thought "not good, but I still need the information the Post provides." But when they spiked the cartoon by Telnaes, I realized that Bezos has in fact gone all in for Trump. And I can't be a part of that. Though I will miss Bailey Johnson's coverage of the Caps.
Chris: you do seem focused on providing a mass of content daily. That effort can prevent you from thinking about what you are saying and how you are saying it. Sometimes it is wise to put your comment(s) in your top drawer and reread them another day to confirm whether they merit the “send” button.
But, here is a question for you Chris. While going independent to Substack, Medium, etc. works for established journalists such as yourself and others. Where do the new and up and coming journalists go to get the experience and to gain a following without the Times, Post and other mainstream media outlets? Are you and others going to take on apprentices?
Jennifer Rubin leaving the Post is actually a good thing in my opinion. It still has some great journalism but the website is cluttered with all these insipid op-eds that are really just glorified blog posts. And Rubin's are among the worst.
When we say everything, we mean absolutely everything.
That's all you really have to know. It is incredible that these really rich people are acting really not that smart. As you have mentioned many other times, they are acting in their own interests. Unfortunately, the public can't be fooled. Maybe for a short period of time, but not forever.
I love the post. I read it online every damn day. Now I hold my breath. It's tainted. It's just not the same bastion of journalism that it once was.
I think the last 10 years show that the public can be fooled for much longer than a short period of time. I, for one, can't see enlightenment on the horizon, only more deadly darkness.
We quit the Post after Bezos decision on endorsements. We have not quit Amazon. Its a protest of him manipulating a journalistic organization. As far as web traffic...we would likely read more of the Post online if they had a program like the Times of 10 articles a month. Maybe if we read some of the post we might wander back. But we can't know what we're missing by subscribing to the Times. If we don't know what we're missing we won't come back.
33 hostages to be released by Hamas per CNNLOL. Great job JB Administration! O wait, maybe just maybe the release coincides with President Trumps statement that All Hell Will Break Out if they are not released.
Kinda reminds me of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, just saying!
I’m not sure anyone in their right mind thinks Biden has been kind to the Palestinians Dutch. lol. And don’t get me wrong, though I want that war to stop, Hamas did their own people no favors at all for their cowardly attack on Israel.
My comment is directed to the weakness of JB! No one cares what he says or what he says! President Trump obviously commands great respect! Results are results!
Biden’s support of Israel has been exceptional. Trump is not respected or a leader. 67% of Americans did not vote for him, which tells you everything you need to know. There’s no point gaslighting everyone. That Trump is president demonstrates nicely the problem with Democratic elections. Fining citizens for not voting would help as some countries do. A higher percentage of Germans voted for Hitler than did Trump. Which demonstrates just how unpopular he is. He’s going to have a very hard time governing as no one will listen to him.
Both Hamas and Netanyahu have resisted any deals. Some in Israel’s war cabinet are still resisting. You need to be truthful to be credible Dutch. Do you really want me to pull out the proof and mercilessly shame you for lying again? lol
Puleeze, like all hell has not broken out over there already ever since Oct 7 2023? You think anyone in Gaza is afraid that djt will flatten their already flattened rubble cities? Give me a break, no one takes djt seriously
I wonder why the completely unnecessary swipe at Jennifer Rubin? I thinks she has some of the sharpest political commentary around - much more in depth than, say “Sir Alert!”
I agree. I think she is arguably the best political opinion writer there.
also agree, didn't understand the swipe.
She’s a fucking liar. But that’s probably why you like her.
Muted!
Yeah she was yet another ex-Republican that proves the GOP is going off the rails!
Yes, the old GOP is way off the rails, over a cliff and at the bottom of Wiley E. Coyote’s canyon. The new GOP is alive and well and steamrolling the pathetic, out of touch democrat party.
You're so silly
Aaaaaaaaaahahahahahahaha
She’s a fucking liar. Oh but you’re a lefty so you probably like the lies you slurp them up don’t you?
Chris writes "I don’t think the resignation of Jen Rubin, announced this morning, is such a big deal. And my guess is that the bosses at the Washington Post don’t either.)" Wanna bet?? Jen Rubin's resignation has just cost the Post my subscription. It is the final blow. I admire Eugene Robinson, appreciate Dana Milbank and greatly respect the work of Dan Balz. But too many greats have left too quickly. And for Chris Cillizza to suggest that Jen Rubin's resignation is not a big deal is laughable. I note that he doesn't explain why he thinks the loss of a major, hugely popular columnist is not a big deal but I'm sure I am not alone in thinking that the Bezos endorsement decision disaster, combined with the massive loss of talent, is a very big deal, indeed.
As I stated earlier, Jen's resignation is a big deal to me as well. I am THIS close (holding my thumb and forefinger almost touching) to canceling my WaPo subscription. Only Robinson and Philip Bump are keeping me there. I see them on Bluesky or somewhere else, it's Bon Voyage WaPo!
Do it. A message needs to be sent. Other excellent journalists are very likely eyeing the exit. Cancellations help move the process along.
See above. He thinks she a consistent "lefty" so not worth our time.
The trouble with criticizing Jennifer Rubin as a "lefty" is that she is a true conservative republican!
That's the issue with WaPo. Only the Rubinites are left. They've alienated everyone else.
Frankly, I'll put Cillizza's sacking by CNN in the BFD category, as the sad piece vividly illustrates.
Excuse me, but Jennifer Rubin's resignation is a BIG deal to me! Her articles, along with Eugene Robinson and Philip Bump, are the main reasons I subscribe to WaPo. She gives great opinions, mostly on the left. I've been saving many of her articles since 2021. I will miss her greatly, and will try to follow her on her future endeavors.
And now I see where Philip Bump is shifting to the opinion side of WaPo. He seems OK with his move, but he and Robinson are the only reasons I have left to keep my subscription. If and when they opine more on Bluesky, that's when I am through with WaPo.
My view of Jen is she is just a predictable lefty. Everything Trump does is bad. Biden is great. I have plenty of that in my life already.
You DO know she was a Republican. From her own words: "As many of you know, I was a mainstream Republican until Trump came along. I — and those who value the rule of law, civic virtue, objective reality, human rights, U.S. leadership in the world, pluralism and some notion of the “public good” — can’t tolerate a party that thrives on White grievance, Christian nationalism, conspiracies, know-nothingism, hostility to effective government, isolationism and violence." Hardly a lefty in my book.
I honestly suspect Chris doesn't know that Jen was a Republican. As with everything he didn't know about the JFK assassination, every good thing he (intentionally?) missed or ignored about the Biden administration and his (admitted) failure to vote in a HUGELY consequential election Chris seems lacking in basic information about far too many topics.
Jennifer Rubin's space in the WaPo was originally titled "Right Turn" and was mainstream center-right from a different, younger perspective than most of the WaPo's "conservative" writers. While today her views align more with mine, I do miss the former center-right take she had on things. Another victim of Trump's "show".
Jennifer Rubin was the reason I subscribed to WAPO. I’ll unsubscribe now and follow her to her new venture.😃
"She was a Republican." So what? Trump was a very popular democrat.
He was never a "popular" anything.
Your hatred makes you blind.
Chris, this is the first time I’ve ever responded to something you’ve written. I have followed your career for over a decade, both in your time at the Washington Post, through your tenure at CNN, and now on your independent journalism journey with Substack.
I enjoy your varied opinions, even when you and I do not agree, and I respect what you have been trying to build here in a community sense as you strive to accomplish your stated goals (ie. tell the truth within a community you’ve built, try to be as unbiased as possible, and to make both a difference and a living doing what you love to do.)
However, your throwaway comment about Jennifer Rubin (which was provided with absolutely no context or explanation) achieved none of the goals you spouse on a daily basis with your Substack. It reeked of something strangely personal to the reader, and of a journalist losing the plot as he attacks someone and bullies someone in a space where they cannot defend themselves).
I have followed Jen‘s career for the same amount of time as yours, and one of the reasons I respect both of you is that there is some integrity in the how and the why behind your individual opinions. She writes passionately and as she’s grown over the years, she often takes stances on certain topics, which are important to her whereas you rarely do. She does this because she understands it is an opinion she is giving, and she also explains in-depth why she feels the way she does and why she is expressing it.
I understand your reasons for not taking certain concrete stances on issues throughout the years, but your dismissal of her (as a person, as a journalist, and most importantly, as someone going through a difficult time in her occupation - which you should empathize with) does not come across as journalistic integrity, it comes across as unprofessional on your part. Full stop.
Even in your post today, as well as in countless previous posts you have made on this newsletter, you have expressed your need to engage with your readers, to respect your readers, and to know what your readers want as subscribers. Each time I have observed you engaging with your subscribers (free or paid) in the comments of your Substack, you are combative, you belittle opinions, and there is a sarcastic dismissal of people who you do not agree with. Even in your comment that I am responding to right now, your use of the term “lefty“ does not even begin to do any of the things that you have stated are paramount to your two-year-long independent journalism journey, and to this community.
Just as people contemplate canceling their subscriptions to the Washington Post, your political and cultural commentary as of late (minus your family and personal journey posts which are nearly universally respected and adored), has become more difficult to read, especially as someone who appreciates you from a writing perspective.
I don’t know why you are slowly losing your professional edge, but it saddens me as a follower of yours. I am neither far left wing, nor far right wing in my political views, but today is the first time that I have ever considered canceling my subscription to your Substack.
It would be okay if you had chosen to explain your opinion of Jennifer, Ruben in your post today, but from a journalistic standpoint, your sidebar had no journalistic reason for being in your post, as you did not expand upon it or justify its inclusion. If you still had an editor, he/she would’ve immediately struck down that sidebar and they would have told you to remove it or to spend the time justifying its inclusion.
I am disappointed in you, and as a years-long fan of yours, that pains me to say. If you need future suggestions for a tagline for your Substack, I would recommend “Be Better and Do Better”, because the content of your newsletter is devolving as of late for reasons I do not understand, and I truly want you to succeed in the space you’re in now. The only way you do that is if you listen to your community, not belittle or fight with it.
Ryan, I concur with your opinion 💯%!
I’ve followed Chris for as many years as you, and the decline of important analysis in Chris’s column over the last half year has been a true disappointment to me. At one point, So What was my first read every single day, but it’s gotten to the point that I’ll read The Bulwark, Jay Kuo, Heather Cox Richardson, Joyce Vance, Gabe Fleisher, Charlie Sykes, etc. *first*, and only if the subject is of interest will I read Chris’s work.
I, as you, do want Chris to succeed, but it’s getting harder and harder to care. Yes, he is *extremely* combative in his rare responses to readers’ comments and, as someone that understands “customer service” intimately (I managed client accounts for a high-tech software/hardware vendor for some of the largest media and entertainment entities in the world), I can say with a good deal of firsthand knowledge that Chris is failing in this regard.
I truly appreciate the So What community that Chris has created and for that reason virtually alone, I stay a paid subscriber. His defensiveness, and the slow decline of quality reporting, make me reconsider my decision, once it’s time to renew…..
Telling the truth isn’t being reactionary. Being reactionary is being political. Chris is reactionary as a writer.
I feel as though Chris is continually playing that game of reacting to the sides of the political spectrum he sees and his desire to be perceived as in the middle or as fair in his writings no matter where the truth actually lies. Honest analysis would never be worried about the perception of such political sides. Chris thinks appearing neutral means attacking each side, as if that equals his subscribers believing he has taken no side himself. It’s a man worried about how he looks as a journalist within the current political climate instead of sticking to personal values or some kind of mission statement. That type of journalism is not brave. It’s cowardly. It’s afraid of being judged for actually taking a stand on something and letting your readers know exactly why you have come to that conclusion.
The thing that bugs me the most about the product Chris is currently offering is that there’s often a whiff of hypocrisy to it. He’ll pitch one thing and offer another. He is also repeatedly choosing to come across as flippant or dismissive or sarcastic or superior to the very readers he says are important to him within his community on Substack. In order to understand the type of hypocrisy I’m describing, think back to when Chris called out Biden for pardoning his son. Whether you agreed with Chris or not, it was a perfectly reasonable commentary on his part to call out what he saw as Biden’s hypocrisy, and failing to live up to the standard he set for himself. In listening to Chris promote his Substack since he launched it, the things he has promised his readers and the independence he claims to offer as a contrast to mainstream media become hollow as Chris engages in the same type of rhetoric and the same tactics used in the very thing he’s trying to stand apart from or neutral to. In my opinion, that makes him the same type of hypocrite he has criticized in the past.
The short version is that Chris is becoming more political, even as he claims to be apolitical. I respect a person who at least says who they are instead of someone who comes across as playing a game, political or otherwise, with who they are and what they stand for.
I guarantee you that Chris has read my previous response, and his decision not to engage with his readers on this thread, even after he himself chose to begin this thread with his above comment, kind of illustrates the type of hypocrisy I’m talking about. If his lofty claims of community and dialogue and truth are not just a hollow sales pitch, he would’ve responded by now (not to argue or defend himself per se, but to acknowledge readers concerns - that’s what a community leader should do).
I miss when Chris wasn’t just a salesman. I wish he meant the things that he has said this newsletter is meant to be.
I respectfully disagree with you about your assessment of Jen Rubin, as well as the import of her departure.
Trump is bad. Biden is great. That's why I loved her, as she states the TRUTH!
Biden is a dementia patient that has let us into World War III. Trump is one of the best presidents this country has ever had and we’re about to have him again in a few more days thank God. Jennifer Rubin is a lying piece of seditious shit. Is that what you are also?
She's a Republican, not a "predictable lefty." But even if she were, her columns are inciteful and thoughtful.
I generally agree with your analysis on most things, even when they are critical of my chosen party, but I think this is completely wrong and oddly dismissive and disrespectful in a way that seems contrary to your stated principles. When you were both at the Post, Rubin was a staunch Republican and wrote as many columns lambasting Hillary Clinton about Benghazi as you did about emails. She's evolved, probably as a result of experience (the Iraq war and nation-building not turning out like she expected) but is clearly a principled conservative, at least on constitutional and international issues, not a "lefty." And even on domestic issues, I suspect you can search and search and never find her endorsing the Green New Deal or Defund the Police. True, she was and is staunchly pro-Roe and anti-Dobbs, but that's not an exclusively lefty position.
And you’re a predictable trumpie. Lots of that going around too.
Sorry, Chris. You've got this wrong unless appeasement was what you are shooting for.. Washington may be the center of the Empire but it will be the backwaters and hinterlands where democracy, equality and equity are valued over power and position which will be home to real journalism. Appeasement won't serve the meaning of Democracy Dies In Darkness.
It’s great that you are honest Chris. I appreciate it. It’s how you see the world. And it’s also the reason for the demise of mainstream media.
And our Republic managed to elect as President someone who’s supported by less than 30% of voting Americans. lol.
The media, mainstream and social, is a reflection of our culture. Americans are at war with each other. Capitalism is a terrible beauty. Pick a side. Which subscriptions will win? Which will lose.
30% LOL
"And our Republic managed to elect as President someone who’s supported by less than 30% of voting Americans. "
In 2020, there were 168.31M people registered to vote. In 2024, Trump got 77.3M votes. That’s 45.9% of registered voters, so I’m not sure where ‘King Donald got his 30% of VOTING Americans, but 77.3M is less that 23% of ALL Americans, if that’s what he meant to say.
And it’s a simple fact that Trump won the EC by 280K votes in 7 swing states. That’s 00.15% of voting Americans. Hardly the “mandate” that MAGA likes to pretend it is…
Chris - you lost me with your defense that Jen is a “…predictable lefty”. I’ve unfollowed you. I have plenty of “both sides” in my life already.
Laughing at your self own. Chris, my man, you are completely predictable just like Mitch McConnell.
Trump is many things and ‘bad’ doesn’t begin to describe him. With all his flaws, Joe is a good man. He was a good president. He’s got a great record to rest on.
Trump is a chump.
Jennifer Rubin is a lying piece of seditious shit
Exactly. I didn't know she's bailed until I read your article just now, but it made me smile. I didn't think she'd actually do it as she's probably unemployable, but no great loss for sure.
Jennifer Rubin is a lying piece of seditious shit.
Why isn't Jennifer Rubin's resignation a big deal...she is one of their very best writers...I immediately subscribed to The Contrarian...and of course unsubscribed from WaPo...which I used to love during the campaign when they started sucking up to tRump.
Thanks for that, just subscribed to The Contrarian!
Me too. And I dropped WaPo, as well. And I never, never purchase thru Amazon.
I did too! Why would anyone want to put more money in Bezos pockets when he’s turned the paper into a partisan mouthpiece for his own interests?
Ditto. I subscribed to the Contrarian based on a message at Bluesky.
I unsubscribed after they refused to publish Ann Telnaes political cartoon, which is awesome and VERY ON POINT!
The oligarchs are out of control.
Your Rubin remark was unnecessarily snarky!
Jen Rubin just started a new Substack newsletter called Contrarian. I joined today.
Enjoy your echo chamber.
WA Post owner, Bezos is paying Trump millions of dollars and spiking anti Trump stories. Isn’t that the answer? We’ve mocked FoxNews for years about spouting its pro Trump propaganda, yet that still has a successful business model. Compared to other mainstream media. But it’s not based on truth or the support of democracy. Which the majority of Americans want.
67% of voting Americans (not all Americans, of course, too young to vote) did not vote for Trump. And are at war with him. And with any corrupt federal judge, politician or official who protects his malfeasance.
That’s your audience Chris. Best of luck getting them to subscribe though.
Yes!
67% of voting Americans did not vote for Trump!
Great point!
I have subscribed to the Post (first in paper, then digitally) since 1984. When Bezos killed the endorsement of Harris, I thought "not good, but I still need the information the Post provides." But when they spiked the cartoon by Telnaes, I realized that Bezos has in fact gone all in for Trump. And I can't be a part of that. Though I will miss Bailey Johnson's coverage of the Caps.
Why is the resignation of Jennifer Rubin "not such a big deal?"
Chris: you do seem focused on providing a mass of content daily. That effort can prevent you from thinking about what you are saying and how you are saying it. Sometimes it is wise to put your comment(s) in your top drawer and reread them another day to confirm whether they merit the “send” button.
Rubinites really do seem to be mourning their Queen. I didn't honestly know liberals loved her so.
Great analysis of the Post and it's issues.
But, here is a question for you Chris. While going independent to Substack, Medium, etc. works for established journalists such as yourself and others. Where do the new and up and coming journalists go to get the experience and to gain a following without the Times, Post and other mainstream media outlets? Are you and others going to take on apprentices?
And who does the investigative work? Who cultivates the sources? Where does the fact based content of "news" originate?
Jennifer Rubin leaving the Post is actually a good thing in my opinion. It still has some great journalism but the website is cluttered with all these insipid op-eds that are really just glorified blog posts. And Rubin's are among the worst.
Everything that Trump touches dies.
When we say everything, we mean absolutely everything.
That's all you really have to know. It is incredible that these really rich people are acting really not that smart. As you have mentioned many other times, they are acting in their own interests. Unfortunately, the public can't be fooled. Maybe for a short period of time, but not forever.
I love the post. I read it online every damn day. Now I hold my breath. It's tainted. It's just not the same bastion of journalism that it once was.
I think the last 10 years show that the public can be fooled for much longer than a short period of time. I, for one, can't see enlightenment on the horizon, only more deadly darkness.
We quit the Post after Bezos decision on endorsements. We have not quit Amazon. Its a protest of him manipulating a journalistic organization. As far as web traffic...we would likely read more of the Post online if they had a program like the Times of 10 articles a month. Maybe if we read some of the post we might wander back. But we can't know what we're missing by subscribing to the Times. If we don't know what we're missing we won't come back.
33 hostages to be released by Hamas per CNNLOL. Great job JB Administration! O wait, maybe just maybe the release coincides with President Trumps statement that All Hell Will Break Out if they are not released.
Kinda reminds me of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, just saying!
I’m not sure anyone in their right mind thinks Biden has been kind to the Palestinians Dutch. lol. And don’t get me wrong, though I want that war to stop, Hamas did their own people no favors at all for their cowardly attack on Israel.
My comment is directed to the weakness of JB! No one cares what he says or what he says! President Trump obviously commands great respect! Results are results!
Biden’s support of Israel has been exceptional. Trump is not respected or a leader. 67% of Americans did not vote for him, which tells you everything you need to know. There’s no point gaslighting everyone. That Trump is president demonstrates nicely the problem with Democratic elections. Fining citizens for not voting would help as some countries do. A higher percentage of Germans voted for Hitler than did Trump. Which demonstrates just how unpopular he is. He’s going to have a very hard time governing as no one will listen to him.
Fine citizens for not voting? Wow. What a terrible idea.
Forcing democracy on everyone. Scares the bejesus out of Republicans, right? lol
That’s exactly the opposite of democracy. Forcing citizens to exercise a right whether they want to or not is not freedom.
Yes! Great job JB with the hostages. I guess you are correct. 😂
Both Hamas and Netanyahu have resisted any deals. Some in Israel’s war cabinet are still resisting. You need to be truthful to be credible Dutch. Do you really want me to pull out the proof and mercilessly shame you for lying again? lol
Puleeze, like all hell has not broken out over there already ever since Oct 7 2023? You think anyone in Gaza is afraid that djt will flatten their already flattened rubble cities? Give me a break, no one takes djt seriously