Dean Barnett
Encyclopedia
Dean Barnett was an American columnist and blog
ger and occasional fill-in radio host for Hugh Hewitt
.
and grew up in Newton, Massachusetts
. He graduated from Harvard University
in 1989 with a bachelor's degree in government, and a J.D.
from Boston University Law School in 1992.
in 1992, and later started a legal recruiting company. In January 1994 Barnett was one of the first volunteers for Mitt Romney
's Senate campaign, during which Barnett often drove Romney to campaign events. Barnett was a declared supporter of Romney's 2008 campaign
for the Republican presidential nomination.
In 2004, Barnett created SoxBlog, a weblog focused on conservative politics, social issues, golf and the Boston Red Sox
. Barnett's popularity led radio talk show host and blogger Hugh Hewitt to invite him on as co-blogger, which he did until joining the Weekly Standard in 2007.
Barnett was known for his thick Boston accent
(earning him the nickname "Chowdah") when he filled in on Hewitt's radio show. Barnett's writings appeared in National Review Online
, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Boston Globe, and Townhall.com
.
, a fact he discussed in numerous blog posts. On October 8, 2008, he was admitted to the hospital with a severe infection, from which he died on October 27, 2008.
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
ger and occasional fill-in radio host for Hugh Hewitt
Hugh Hewitt
Hugh Hewitt is an American radio talk show host with the Salem Radio Network, lawyer, academic, and author. An outspoken Republican, evangelical Christian, he comments on society, politics, and media bias in the United States. Hewitt is also a law professor at Chapman University School of Law.-...
.
Early life
Barnett was born in BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and grew up in Newton, Massachusetts
Newton, Massachusetts
Newton is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States bordered to the east by Boston. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Newton was 85,146, making it the eleventh largest city in the state.-Villages:...
. He graduated from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1989 with a bachelor's degree in government, and a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from Boston University Law School in 1992.
Career
Barnett ran for state representative from Newton as a RepublicanRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
in 1992, and later started a legal recruiting company. In January 1994 Barnett was one of the first volunteers for Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney
Willard Mitt Romney is an American businessman and politician. He was the 70th Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and is a candidate for the 2012 Republican Party presidential nomination.The son of George W...
's Senate campaign, during which Barnett often drove Romney to campaign events. Barnett was a declared supporter of Romney's 2008 campaign
Mitt Romney presidential campaign, 2008
Mitt Romney was a Republican Party primary candidate in the 2008 United States presidential election. On January 3, 2007, two days before he stepped down as governor of Massachusetts, Romney filed to form a presidential exploratory committee with the Federal Election Commission...
for the Republican presidential nomination.
In 2004, Barnett created SoxBlog, a weblog focused on conservative politics, social issues, golf and the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. Barnett's popularity led radio talk show host and blogger Hugh Hewitt to invite him on as co-blogger, which he did until joining the Weekly Standard in 2007.
Barnett was known for his thick Boston accent
Boston accent
The Boston dialect is the dialect characteristic of English spoken in the city of Boston and much of eastern Massachusetts. The accent and closely related accents can be heard commonly in an area stretching into much of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and areas of south-western Nova Scotia...
(earning him the nickname "Chowdah") when he filled in on Hewitt's radio show. Barnett's writings appeared in National Review Online
National Review
National Review is a biweekly magazine founded by the late author William F. Buckley, Jr., in 1955 and based in New York City. It describes itself as "America's most widely read and influential magazine and web site for conservative news, commentary, and opinion."Although the print version of the...
, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Boston Globe, and Townhall.com
Townhall.com
Townhall.com is a web-based publication primarily dedicated to conservative United States politics. It was previously operated by the Heritage Foundation, but is now owned and operated by Salem Communications...
.
Illness
Barnett suffered from cystic fibrosisCystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a recessive genetic disease affecting most critically the lungs, and also the pancreas, liver, and intestine...
, a fact he discussed in numerous blog posts. On October 8, 2008, he was admitted to the hospital with a severe infection, from which he died on October 27, 2008.