September 23, 2016

"Make sense of it all - the NEW REPUBLIC is back!"

Email, just now, from The New Republic, to which I used to subscribe. The pitch:
We've made some exciting changes at THE NEW REPUBLIC. We have new leadership and a dynamic new editorial team, and each issue is packed with:

• Uncompromising political coverage with hard-hitting, incisive reporting on the progressive issues you care about most;

• Ramped up reporting on critical environmental issues, highlighting today's worst failures and predictions on what's next;

• A steadfast commitment to reporting the facts beyond the headlines with insights on the issues shaping this election cycle—and beyond
The progressive issues I care about most? So I guess strong political slanting is the "ramped up" approach of the "dynamic new" people at The New Republic. I'll pass on your "worst... predictions," because I've made my own prediction, based on your stupid pitch and bad writing: The new New Republic is a rag.

35 comments:

MadisonMan said...

Meet the new boss....same as the old boss.

Well, I guess they have to do something for a roll-out. Promises they can't keep are right in line with the politicians that will read it and find "truth".

Laslo Spatula said...

Sounds like what the New York Times does.

As far as I can tell.


I am The Replacement Laslo.

TreeJoe said...

I bet Win McCormack, about buying failed progressive/incisive reporting TNR from Chris Hughes, looked deep inside his soul and business experience and said: You know what's missing in the media space - incisive reporting with a strong progressive slant.

I bet that is what the world needs more of and will look to spend money on.

...

Mr. D said...

We're just like The Nation, only less coherent!

AmPowerBlog said...

It's a rag alright. I won't read it.

tim in vermont said...

A steadfast commitment to reporting the facts beyond the headlines with insights on the issues shaping this election cycle—and beyond

That would be cool, be we know it will be so one-sided it won't help anybody do anything but rationalize what they already believe.

tim in vermont said...

Replacement Lazlo, tell me it wasn't Google AdSense that drove him off!

Luke Lea said...

Check. Need another Michael Kinsley.

rhhardin said...

hard-hitting, incisive

Carpet-bombing too.

Sebastian said...

Niche marketing. Incisive reporting to promote prog causes: yeah, right.

I Have Misplaced My Pants said...

It's a religious publication.

Might as well be Lutheran Quarterly or The National Catholic Register.

Tank said...

You are not in their marketing universe.

David Begley said...

New Republic could only draw an audience if Althouse was Editor-in-Chiel and Laslo was a featured writer. Sorry Replacement Laslo, but you have got to step up your game.

Bob Boyd said...

Hungry for Bias? Try us!

Eric the Fruit Bat said...

I've been listening to a CD collection of Jonathan Franzen's essays. I think it's called something like "How to Be Alone." Pretty interesting stuff, overall. But I find his signature hybridization of anxiety and indignation pretty hard to take when he complains about the implications of the literary novel losing its prominence.

Oh, I almost forgot.

I used to really like the movie reviews by Stanley Kauffmann.

Rick said...

They should be honest and call it the New Nation.

traditionalguy said...

Did they add a centerfold spread now. Heffner left that niche wide open. But they will then have to chose between a redheads/blondes or brunettes bias. They could start by rerunning the tweet of Melania and Heidi Cruz and poll which type is favored.

Politics is exciting!

hawkeyedjb said...

Smug, condescending lefty opinion mags. An underserved market.

Bob Boyd said...

The new New Republic - Our take is a given!

HoodlumDoodlum said...

Ann Althouse said... I'll pass on your "worst... predictions," because I've made my own prediction, based on your stupid pitch and bad writing: The new New Republic is a rag.

Nothin' but net--the Professor scores!

rehajm said...

...reporting the facts beyond the headlines with insights on the issues shaping this election cycle—and beyond...

Beyond the Beyond! Holy cow!

The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...

Now, with 30% more Leftist drivel!

They're doomed. Name a leftist opinion/news magazine that isn't a life-support operation. Time, Newsweek, Harper's, The Nation, they all limp along on the largesse of wealthy corporations and individuals. Ironically.

cubanbob said...

Whoever is funding this money loser can have a lot more fun losing their money in Vegas.

Bill said...

"Ramped" up? Why not amped up?

Jim said...

I like Rick at 9:06.

They went full Progressive. Never go full Progressive.

Martin said...

Pursuing a niche market and you aren't in it, but their spambot didn't know.

Etienne said...

My favorite lyric about the political press, was Joan Baez

Time-eze Machine

Carter Wood said...

Apres Martin Peretz, le deluge.

mikee said...

Climate Change articles can now be turned up all the way to 11. Not just 10. 11.

gspencer said...

When it comes to the left, there is nothing new.

Pharoahism is the same as Caesarism is the same as feudalism is the same as Communism is the same as Nazism is the same as Maoism is the same as Islam is the same as the Democrat Party.

All variants on the same theme.

Worship the State Collective Elite.

No thanks.

Wilbur said...

Wilbur subscribed to TNR is his desert-wandering period between undergrad and law school. I enjoyed it, finding it well-written and thought-provoking. (Sorry for the clichés but it was.)

At some point between 40 years ago and its recent demise, it was taken over by persons somewhere to the left of William Kunstler. With predictable results.

n.n said...

The Republic is not "progressive". It is, in fact, conservative. Discover your principles.

dwick said...

Althouse hasn't even left campus yet and already shows signs of becoming more conservative...

The Cracker Emcee Refulgent said...

I think honestly self-criticizing her 2008 boner has opened Althouse to conservative perspectives. Carrying a gun can also serve as a muse to inspire paeans to self-responsibility and temperate civility (not bullshit civility).

jaed said...

Let's do a count:

Exciting!
Dynamic!
Hard-hitting!
Commitment!

Diagnosis: they hired a marketing firm to "craft" the "pitch". You could use this for just about any news source. It's generic, except for the one word "progressive" which the client doubtless inserted.

Conclusion: The new New Republic is to consist of generic extruded news/analysis product, with a sprinkling of Progressive sauce.