The press. They can make or break Presidents — and just about anybody else in Washington, the seat of power in American politics. But who are the Irish power-brokers in the American media on the cusp of a new decade? For the first time, we name them.
1. New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd — Still the queen of the stiletto in the ribs with a smile on her face. Simply the best columnist in the business.
2. Obama press secretary Robert Gibbs — The most important Southern Irishman since Bill Clinton, and just as smooth. Credited with doing a super job with the fractious Washington press corps.
3. NBC anchor Brian Williams — Took over almost seamlessly from Tom Brokaw in contrast to the fun and games at other networks. Irish Catholic background from New Jersey.
4. Fox News' Bill O'Reilly — For Fox, he's the gift that keeps on giving. The relentless O'Reilly is watching Glenn Beck in his rear-view mirror, but he is still the king of talk TV.
5. Fox News' Sean Hannity — Perhaps edging toward a political career, but lacks O'Reilly's softer edge and comes across as too strident. But still, a huge player in cable news.
6. "Hardball" host Chris Matthews — Took a look at politics but kept himself sane by staying where he is. Still the best at hard-nose interviews despite his sometimes too-obvious Obama fetish.
7. NBC political reporter Kelly O'Donnell — One of the best political reporters around. A woman to reckon with when the story is down to the wire.
8. Commentator Pat Buchanan — Slipping down the list, but still a force.
9. MSNBC chief Washington correspondent Norah O'Donnell — In an increasingly important political network, she has the smarts to go all the way.
10. NBC contributor Lawrence O'Donnell — Clearly, NBC is the "O'Donnell Network." Smart, hard-hitting contributor who adds greatly to the network's political coverage.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.pat52rk | Dec 30, 2009, 12:59 PM EST
Robert gibbs is the most inept white house press secretary in living memery.He has no place on this list.
redhand32 | Dec 30, 2009, 09:31 AM EST
Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Pat Buchanan aka Moe, Curley, and Larry. I'm embarrassed to be an Irish-American when their names are mentioned.
kickstar | Dec 28, 2009, 08:02 PM EST
'disinformed'? maryosullivan I'm betting Oxford hasn't come across that one yet.
maryosullivan | Dec 28, 2009, 05:43 PM EST
Odd you should mention the Obama fetish of Chris Mathews and not mention the rabid anti-Obama fetish of OReilly and Hannity I cringe every time OReilly mentions he is an Irish Catholic. The twisting of facts and the skewed "reporting" by OReilly and Hannity explains why so many Americans are so disinformed .
FastEddy | Dec 28, 2009, 02:36 PM EST
Strange: it appears this list is in reverse order ... Shouldn't Buchanan and O'Reily be on top?
FastEddy | Dec 28, 2009, 02:34 PM EST
" The press. They can make or break Presidents ..." ... One could hope!
imuverin | Dec 28, 2009, 12:46 PM EST
ME THINKS YEA WILL HAVE TO DEFINE WHAT YOU MEAN BY "POWER BROKERS", THESE ARE ALL EITHER LIBERAL OR CONSERVATIVE COMMENTATORS WITH A FEW SO-CALLED REPORTERS INCLUDED, THEY PLAY A LINE DICTATED BY THEIR HANDLERS, TO SUIT RATINGS.
SharonW | Dec 28, 2009, 09:56 AM EST
I am decidedly sorry to see that all of the Irish media people are on the wrong side of issues.
mckelly67 | Dec 28, 2009, 09:53 AM EST
Actually, Chris Matthews WAS mentioned. How are any of these people "power brokers"?
kinsalelad | Dec 28, 2009, 09:19 AM EST
THERE IS NOT A LEGITIMATE POWER BROKER AMONG YOUR LIST, ONLY 7 LEFT WING LIBERAL BORN IDIOTS, AND 2 CONSERVATIVE LOUD MOUTHS. THE ONLY TRUE INTELLECTUAL GIANT YOU MENTION IS PAT BUCHANAN,WHO MAKES MORE SENSE THAN THE ENTIRE GROUP YOU MENTIONED.
MalcomAC | Dec 28, 2009, 08:17 AM EST
I'm actually embarrassed by this list. Norah O'Donnell?? Pat Buchanan? At least Chris Matthews wasn't mentioned. For that, I am grateful.