The top ten Irish power-brokers in the American media

From liberals like Maureen Dowd to conservatives like Sean Hannity

Larger Text

Print

E-mail

11 Comments

Maureen Dowd

Tweet

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.

Print

E-mail

Tweet