Andrew Breitbart, the controversial conservative commentator and self-styled investigative journalist, has died of natural causes at the age of 43 according to media reports taken from his websites. We wish to extend our sincere condolences to his family and all who loved him.
Breitbart was behind the discredited Acorn Pimp'n'Ho sting, the Shirley Sherrod controversy, and "leaking" a photo of former Rep. Anthony Weiner's penis, among other things, and was a frequent guest on Fox News Channel. Updates and commenting guidelines after the jump.
Commenting guidelines: Facts are fine but nastiness will not be tolerated. Please remember that a family have lost their husband and father. We reserve the right to remove or edit any comment we feel crosses the line of common decency.
Update 1: According to this report, Breitbart was out walking after midnight Thursday morning when he suddenly collapsed. He had experienced heart problems last year, according to his father-in-law, Orson Bean.
Update 2: The coroner says no final cause of death has been established as he has yet to examine the body. An autopsy will be performed. (sourced at 1:52 PM EST).
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NewsHound Alex commented
2012-03-02 06:37:50 -0500
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Joseph West, your comment was deleted primarily due to your harsh (and apparently completely speculative) remarks about Breibart’s wife, which were out of bounds given that she has just lost her husband. Please take note of our guidelines for posting. Thank you.
Joseph West commented
2012-03-01 23:14:54 -0500
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@Alex: Fair enough, but I stand by everything I wrote.
I also find it a bit ironic that our comments must be tempered but there are other postings that talk about how Breitbart’s record is being “sanitized.” If Breitbart’s record needs to be “sanitized” (and that is worth not one, but two, posting, then it seems that there really shouldn’t have been anything considered beyond the pale.
And, given the right-wing hate-filled commentary following Ted Kennedy’s death, only allowing “nice” comments over Breitbart’s death simply furthers the notion that progressives and liberals are nothing but wimps. (And considering some of the right-wing’s attacks on Barack Obama and his family—and I mean the truly vile, hate-filled comments—I, for one, am tired of playing “Mr Nice Guy” when it comes to the right. If they can dish it out, they need to put on their big-boy pants and accept it when it comes back their way.)
I also find it a bit ironic that our comments must be tempered but there are other postings that talk about how Breitbart’s record is being “sanitized.” If Breitbart’s record needs to be “sanitized” (and that is worth not one, but two, posting, then it seems that there really shouldn’t have been anything considered beyond the pale.
And, given the right-wing hate-filled commentary following Ted Kennedy’s death, only allowing “nice” comments over Breitbart’s death simply furthers the notion that progressives and liberals are nothing but wimps. (And considering some of the right-wing’s attacks on Barack Obama and his family—and I mean the truly vile, hate-filled comments—I, for one, am tired of playing “Mr Nice Guy” when it comes to the right. If they can dish it out, they need to put on their big-boy pants and accept it when it comes back their way.)
mj - the same one commented
2012-03-01 17:19:38 -0500
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@Jeeez: “No matter your political ‘side’, if you spend your life seething with hatred, itâs going to have an effect on your quantity and quality of life.”
Agree completely. I’m reminded of Lee Atwater, the political operative who destroyed Michael Dukakis in 1988 . . . like Breitbart, he died young (at 40 from a brain tumor); Atwater publicly acknowledged and apologized for his actions shortly before his death, I can only hope Brietbart found similar peace, at least privately.
Condolences to his family.
.
Agree completely. I’m reminded of Lee Atwater, the political operative who destroyed Michael Dukakis in 1988 . . . like Breitbart, he died young (at 40 from a brain tumor); Atwater publicly acknowledged and apologized for his actions shortly before his death, I can only hope Brietbart found similar peace, at least privately.
Condolences to his family.
.
NewsHound Alex commented
2012-03-01 15:36:14 -0500
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Note to Joseph West: Unfortunately, due to a glitch in our software we cannot edit comments so I had to delete yours. There were a few lines which just were not appropriate today. Thanks for your thoughts, though.
Aria Prescott commented
2012-03-01 14:38:43 -0500
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Both sides are going beyond the pale with this- liberal posters are trolling RW sites with gleeful, celebratory posts, while conservative opportunists are pushing that Breitbart was murdered so hard that it’s probably 10 posts/tweets/updates from being officially viral. Already.
This whole thing has gotten Ghoulish. I’m about to hand it over at work because I can’t stand to see any more of this behaviour. I’ll probably still read articles and threads that keep it clean, but seriously… a lot of people need to take a step back and look at where this has put them.
A LOT.
This whole thing has gotten Ghoulish. I’m about to hand it over at work because I can’t stand to see any more of this behaviour. I’ll probably still read articles and threads that keep it clean, but seriously… a lot of people need to take a step back and look at where this has put them.
A LOT.
Bob Roberts commented
2012-03-01 13:35:14 -0500
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Mike Gallagher is also spreading if you can call them rumors. He is using the ol’ "I don’t go with conspiracy theories BUT………………. He is also invoking the name of Vince Foster. Just wait til Faux tonite, maybe not O’Loofah but you know Klannity will be squealing about Vince Foster and Pres. Obama’s “hit squads” most of the night.
Antoinette commented
2012-03-01 12:39:55 -0500
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Poor Andy. We didn’t agree with Andy’s way of yellow journalism. We fought him tooth and nail. Andy was never like this in his early years. His transformation into a rapid conservative shocked us.
Andy is resting now. He’s at peace. Whatever demons that was fighting inside him are gone. RIP Andy. It was a good fight until the end.
Andy is resting now. He’s at peace. Whatever demons that was fighting inside him are gone. RIP Andy. It was a good fight until the end.
NewsHound Alex commented
2012-03-01 11:53:56 -0500
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Shirley Sherrod has just tweeted that she is praying for his family. That is class.
Aria Prescott commented
2012-03-01 11:49:38 -0500
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Been looking at that almost since the story broke, Em… there are enough comments on Twitter that some sites are already posting compilation articles of the 25 “best.”
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/people-who-think-president-obama-killed-andrew-bre
I’ve also found people spreading the rumour on Fox News, Fox Nation, Facebook and RW blogs.
It’s beyond disgusting to see people try making lies about his death into a talking point. I mean, good GAWD people!
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/people-who-think-president-obama-killed-andrew-bre
I’ve also found people spreading the rumour on Fox News, Fox Nation, Facebook and RW blogs.
It’s beyond disgusting to see people try making lies about his death into a talking point. I mean, good GAWD people!
doors17 commented
2012-03-01 11:34:06 -0500
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Unfortunately with a small but very vocal group, no matter what evidence is presented to them, if the truth doesnât match to what they want to believe, theyâll never be satisfied. For example the birth certificate nonsense. Conspiracy theories can be entertaining, but in the end just give me evidence and proof, not what you want to believe.
Headly Westerfield commented
2012-03-01 11:20:23 -0500
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The Conspiracy Theories have already started on Twitter: At CPAC Breitbart claimed to gave videos of President Obama at university. Those pushing this are pointing out that he was out walking alone when this happened and are calling for a full investigation. One of similar I’ve seen: https://twitter.com/#!/marymauldin/status/175236303963693056
Following Fox News personalities is like watching the beatification of Breitbart in real time.
With all my love,
Aunty Em
Following Fox News personalities is like watching the beatification of Breitbart in real time.
With all my love,
Aunty Em
NewsHound Alex commented
2012-03-01 11:04:13 -0500
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Glenn Beck is seeding dark speculation that Breitbart may not have died from natural causes. I mean, he’s "just sayin’ ":
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2012/03/01/huffington-drudge-and-beck-on-andrew-breitbarts-death/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2012/03/01/huffington-drudge-and-beck-on-andrew-breitbarts-death/
doors17 commented
2012-03-01 10:39:05 -0500
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Wow, this is a shock. I opposed his methods, but today we all need to put our differences aside and show respect to his family and friends and send them our condolences from our entire community here.
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2012-03-01 10:16:52 -0500
Andrew Breitbart Dead at Age 43 - Conservative firebrand behind discredited Acorn sting, Shirley Sherrod smear and more
