Who is Marc Leibovich?
I've written before that Marc Leibovich is an NYT journalist to watch. He's a nice writer with a fresh perspective on politics. But now I wonder if he's trying a bit too hard to be the next Maureen Dowd (not a good thing, IMHO).
Consider this from
his report on President Bush's press conference Wednesday morning:
Leibovich writes of Bush:
He looked worn at his must-see midday news conference, in need of a haircut, good-night’s sleep, better makeup job, hug, vacation in Crawford or some combination thereof. The grooves across his forehead were dark and articulated, his voice slightly hoarse. He wore a maroon tie, the color of blood.
The grooves across his forehead were articulated? His tie was the color of blood? Where you going with that, Marc?
Yet for someone whose presidency had just been repudiated, whose party had been sent reeling and whose defense secretary had just been sent packing, Mr. Bush also appeared strangely giddy, like someone who is acting a little odd after suffering a blow to the head, or a “thumpin’,” to use the official presidential description.
...“I say, why all the glum faces?” Mr. Bush began, blending humor and irony in an unsubtle taunt at his media nemeses. (Double bonus points for the curiously British “I say.”) He also could have been projecting.
This isn't, by the way, a "News Analysis" piece. It's just a straight-up news piece. I admire Leibovich's flair, but I wonder if he isn't pushing this too far....
