Eric Breindel
Encyclopedia
Eric M. Breindel was a neoconservative writer and former editorial page editor
of the New York Post
.
He died of liver failure, having suffered from health problems throughout adulthood, as a result of AIDS, according to Michael Wolff
in his book The Man Who Owns The News: Inside The Secret World Of Rupert Murdoch.
He attended Phillips Exeter, Harvard College, and Harvard Law School. At Harvard, he developed relationships with high-profile professors as well as David and Bobby Kennedy.
While he was still serving out his year's probation, he wrote for The New Republic
and then took a research slot on a PBS show called American Interests. During this time, he started a relationship with Tamar Jacoby
, the deputy editor of the New York Times op-ed section. With her help and several recommendations, including one from Podhoretz, he landed a job heading the editorial page of the New York Daily News.
Breindel began working at the Posts editorial page in 1986, where he immediately began making friends and enemies. He played a pivotal in New York's 1994 mayoral race. He was the key to securing Rudy Giuliani's endorsement by the New York Post
, despite Rupert Murdoch
's initial intent to support for Conservative Party candidate George Marlin. The endorsement and subsequent editorials proved crucial in a race which came down to a handful of votes.
During the last year of his life, Breindel worked as a News Corporation
executive, but continued writing his column at the Post. His life-long friend, John Podhoretz
, replaced him at the Post.
was established in his memory, sponsored by Fox News and the Wall Street Journal.
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
of the New York Post
New York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
.
He died of liver failure, having suffered from health problems throughout adulthood, as a result of AIDS, according to Michael Wolff
Michael Wolff (journalist)
Michael Wolff is an American author, essayist, and journalist. He currently writes a regular column for Vanity Fair magazine. He is well known for his acerbic, combative, and humorous style...
in his book The Man Who Owns The News: Inside The Secret World Of Rupert Murdoch.
Early life
Breindel grew up in an upper-middle class Jewish family in New York. His parents were refugees of Hitler's Europe, which likely influenced his views on totalitarian government and fueled his outspoken hatred of communism.He attended Phillips Exeter, Harvard College, and Harvard Law School. At Harvard, he developed relationships with high-profile professors as well as David and Bobby Kennedy.
Career
Early in his career, Breindel pursued work in government, as his classmates at Harvard had expected him to. At the age of 27, he went to work as Senator Moynihan's aide on the Senate Intelligence Committee. However, shortly into the job, he was arrested for buying heroin from an undercover cop in Washington, D.C., ending any hope of a career in government or politics.While he was still serving out his year's probation, he wrote for The New Republic
The New Republic
The magazine has also published two articles concerning income inequality, largely criticizing conservative economists for their attempts to deny the existence or negative effect increasing income inequality is having on the United States...
and then took a research slot on a PBS show called American Interests. During this time, he started a relationship with Tamar Jacoby
Tamar Jacoby
Tamar Jacoby is known primarily for her writing on immigration-related issues. She is also president and CEO of ImmigrationWorks USA, an organization self-described as "a national federation of small business owners working to advance better immigration law." Jacoby was named a 2012 Bernard L....
, the deputy editor of the New York Times op-ed section. With her help and several recommendations, including one from Podhoretz, he landed a job heading the editorial page of the New York Daily News.
Breindel began working at the Posts editorial page in 1986, where he immediately began making friends and enemies. He played a pivotal in New York's 1994 mayoral race. He was the key to securing Rudy Giuliani's endorsement by the New York Post
New York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
, despite Rupert Murdoch
Rupert Murdoch
Keith Rupert Murdoch, AC, KSG is an Australian-American business magnate. He is the founder and Chairman and CEO of , the world's second-largest media conglomerate....
's initial intent to support for Conservative Party candidate George Marlin. The endorsement and subsequent editorials proved crucial in a race which came down to a handful of votes.
During the last year of his life, Breindel worked as a News Corporation
News Corporation
News Corporation or News Corp. is an American multinational media conglomerate. It is the world's second-largest media conglomerate as of 2011 in terms of revenue, and the world's third largest in entertainment as of 2009, although the BBC remains the world's largest broadcaster...
executive, but continued writing his column at the Post. His life-long friend, John Podhoretz
John Podhoretz
John Podhoretz is an American neoconservative columnist for the New York Post, the editor of Commentary magazine, the author of several books on politics, and a former presidential speechwriter.-Life and career:...
, replaced him at the Post.
Legacy
In 1999, the Eric Breindel Award for Excellence in Opinion JournalismEric Breindel Award for Excellence in Opinion Journalism
The Eric Breindel Award for Excellence in Opinion Journalism, also known as the Eric Breindel Journalism Award, is an annual award commemorating Eric Breindel, a former editorial page editor of the New York Post. It is given to "the columnist, editorialist or reporter who best reflects the spirit...
was established in his memory, sponsored by Fox News and the Wall Street Journal.
External links
- Eric Breindel website