[Yepsen vs. Clinton: Senator sought columnist's support]
Newly departing Des Moines Register political writer David Yepsen may be Gannett's single most-influential journalist, according to New York Times top political correspondent and former Gannettoid Adam Nagourney.
"There are many reporters in this country who cover politics for newspapers and other news organizations," Nagourney writes on the NYT's Caucus Blog, "but Mr. Yepsen occupied a unique role, in no small part because of the importance of the Iowa caucuses in the presidential campaign. Every four years, as the caucuses which begin the presidential nominating calendar approach, Mr. Yepsen found himself to be the most sought-after political journalist in the country, entertaining campaign managers, strategists, journalists -- and candidates themselves."
Nagourney's post continues: "There was a reason that Hillary Rodham Clinton, when she was running for president, made a point of having dinner with Mr. Yepsen at a Des Moines restaurant at a time when he was writing columns that -- presciently -- questioned whether she understood the politics of the state."My view: story underplayed
Yepsen's move to run the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute is a black eye for the Register and Gannett -- as was the paper's decision to lay off its famous front-page editorial cartoonist, Brian Duffy, during the Gannett-wide 10% December layoff.
But this was front-page news. Corporate politics is no excuse for underplaying today's story. If Publisher Laura Hollingsworth is comfortable being caught goofing off in Palm Springs, Calif., with pay-to-play duffer Bob Dickey, she can suffer the embarrasment of Yepsen's depature on her paper's front page.
Here's Yepsen on an Oct. 5 episode of Meet the Press:
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Yepson was straight, accurate and perceptive. He also was an institution, and as such is irreplaceable. It's all downhill for the Register, which is being dismantled before our eyes. Iowans are also very politically perceptive, partly because of their inflated views of their role in American politics. As the word gets out that Yepson is gone, they will know what this means.
ReplyDeleteHere's an idea for a fever chart: Plot the days of major departures of key Gannett editors and writers over the last year against a GCI stock chart for the same time.
ReplyDeleteYepsun was the face of Iowa and The Des Moines Register whether it was a presidential election year or not. His grasp of the nuts and bolts of Iowa and national politics was as fine tuned as the purring motor of a luxury car. He has a great sense of humor, a gift of gab and has connections we should all aspire to.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is anyone left at the paper ready or able to take his place.
Many journalists worked a lifetime to be hired by The Des Moines Register hoping to enjoy the company of Yepsun and other top flight writers and editors. It is so very, very sad to see the newspaper reduced to Gannett mediocrity.