TimesWatch has picked up an explanation from managing editor of The New York Times, Jill Abramson, for why the newspaper ignored the Van Jones scandal to the bitter end. She said:
The Times was, in fact, a beat behind on this story.
Why? One reason was that our Washington bureau was somewhat short-staffed during the height of the pre-Labor Day vacation period. This is not an excuse. Another is that despite being a so-called “czar,” Mr. Jones was not a high-ranking official. Nevertheless, we should have been paying closer attention.
Fair enough. If a Bush administration “czar” had had ties to the KKK or a militia, though, I’m sure the NYT would have devoted ample staff and newsprint to the story.
