"Who Knew?" Dept.: New York Times Editors Are Democrats

Evan Coyne Maloney today posts a serious, yet rather funny piece on "advice" the New York Times editorial staff is helpfully providing the Republicans after their recent defeat on Capitol Hill: effectively, Republicans should be more like Democrats. Hey, that's just great advice. Have two political parties with no differences between them but that somehow look like the Democratic party. What a concept.

Seriously now, folks, why would the Times' editorial staff give such idiotic and condescending advice? The paper's traditional arrogance and condescension certainly play a role. But that's Wonker's opinion. An informed opinion based on loads of anecdotal evidence, of course. But still an opinion.

Maloney, however, hits upon a simple way to uncover the truth of the matter. After a jab at the paper's clueless staff, he gets down to the business of proving bias. But let him tell it:

...what’s laughable is that the editors of a paper that hasn’t endorsed a single Republican presidential nominee in over fifty years would decide, out of the kindness of their hearts, to try and help Republicans with some unsolicited advice.

Still, maybe we should give the Times the benefit of the doubt. Maybe there are some well-placed Republicans at the paper using the editorial page to try to righten a ship that has clearly veered off course.

How do we find out? Check the voter database maintained by the New York City Board of Elections. It’s a matter of public record, so anyone can conduct their own search.

For simplicity, this search was limited to Manhattan, and in cases where there was ambiguity (multiple identical names, wrong professions listed, etc.), the results were ignored. Nine Times bigwigs showed up:

Arthur Sulzberger, Publisher: Democrat
Bill Keller, Executive
Editor: Democrat
Gail Collins, Editor: Democrat
Eleanor Randolph,
Editorial Board: Democrat
Dorothy Samuels, Editorial Board:
Democrat
Carolyn Curiel, Editorial Board: Democrat
Frank Rich, Editorial
Columnist: Democrat
“Automatic Bob” Herbert, Editorial Columnist: Democrat

Believe it or not, one Republican was found, although as an associate editor, he isn’t exactly the highest man on the totem pole. And whereas the Democrats listed above voted in nearly every special election, primary and general election, our lone Republican — who shall remain nameless lest it jeopardize his job — is much less active in his political involvement. According to the Board of Elections, he’s voted only 3 times since 1985. I guess that’s the only kind of Republican tolerated on the editorial board of the New York Times.

So, here’s the recap: out of nine people found, one is a Republican. Keep that in mind when you read Times editors. You may not be getting a balanced view of the world, but at least now you’ll know where they’re coming from (mostly the Upper West Side, according to the voter database).

But of course, they couldn't possibly be biased, since as journalists, they have to be objective. Maloney puts this illusion to rest as well:

...if you’re a Republican official in New York State trying to figure out whether to heed the advice of the Times, perhaps my friend Marcus put it best: “It’s like George Steinbrenner giving pointers to the Boston Red Sox.”

Indeed.