Words Fail
A lot of people are talking about Andrew Breitbart today, trying to sum up what he meant to us, to the other side, and to American politics in general. And many of them will get it right. That's the thing about Andrew: he was such a wonderful and dazzling bundle of energy and contradiction, that even his (many) detractors knew a lot about him. Andrew didn't hide anything.
But tomorrow or the next day, the political caravan will move on. New fights will emerge. Someone -- probably a few people -- will try to fill Andrew's giant shoes. I can't imagine anyone's succeeding, but I hope for our side someone does.
But here's what I want you to know about Andrew: when he laughed, he laughed loudly. And he laughed a lot. I remember hearing a particularly hilarious, and filthy, joke and thinking, "This is a joke for Andrew." And when I saw him at a party a few days later, I didn't even hesitate. Didn't wait for the pleasantries. "Andrew," I said, "I've got a joke for you." And I told him, and he laughed his crazy loud laugh, and followed it up with one of his own, and then quickly started filling me in on his latest scheme to win back the country, peppered with asides and casual profanities and blazing fury and sudden guffaws.
He was that way: funny and serious at the same time.
But here's what I really want you to know about Andrew: in the only three things that matter in a man's life, he was a hero. He was a doting and deeply smitten husband to wife Susie. A rambunctious and tireless dad to four spirited, generous children. A loyal and thoughtful friend. His house was always noisy and filled with children and friends and political allies.
I used to think, when I saw them out together -- Andrew mobbed by admirers, Andrew relating the latest nasty dust-up -- or at home with the ringing phones and the computers beeping, "Poor Susie."
Look, it's a loss for our side. But someone will come along to take care of the politics. Someone always does.
But it's the loss of that husband, and father, and friend, that is irreplaceable. If you're a praying kind of person, please pray for Susie and the children. And if, like me, you're not, then today is a perfect day to learn how.
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May '10
Re: Words Fail
I'm sorry you've lost a friend, Rob. I'll be praying for you as well as Breitbart's family.
Re: Words Fail
Amen.
Jan '11
Re: Words Fail
But words didn't seem to fail Andrew. I wish more pundits would adopt his confrontational style as they expose inconsistencies. I wish more conservative politicians would get an ounce of what he delivered. There are only a handful who come close to that ounce. Breitbart seemingly had no fear.
I hope that his good friends will now spend some time with his wife and kids and help each other through this greiving period.
Edited on March 1, 2012 at 7:28pmMar '11
Re: Words Fail
I posted this at another comment thread, but it's just as applicable here:
This may be no more than wishful thinking, but the paucity details of Breitbart’s death and the lack of confirming sources allow me to entertain the possibility that this is a hoax. It would not be unlike Breitbart to bait the mainstream media to expose their lazy credulity by publishing a story with no corroboration and then reappearing at some dramatic moment, perhaps his “funeral.”
May '11
Re: Words Fail
I was stoked at the public firebrand Breitbart was. I'm warmed to know the kind of family man he was.
Re: Words Fail
Jack Richman: I posted this at another comment thread, but it's just as applicable here:
This may be no more than wishful thinking, but the paucity details of Breitbart’s death and the lack of confirming sources allow me to entertain the possibility that this is a hoax. It would not be unlike Breitbart to bait the mainstream media to expose their lazy credulity by publishing a story with no corroboration and then reappearing at some dramatic moment, perhaps his “funeral.” · 4 minutes ago
Well, no one would be happier, of course. But he wouldn't do that. He wouldn't do that to his family.
Re: Words Fail
Beautiful tribute, Rob.
May '11
Re: Words Fail
Mr. Long,
I use to think that Mr. Steyn had the corner on great obits or rememberances. However, that was as moving a tribute as I have read. Clearly you feel the loss deeply. Let us all pray for his family.
Dec '11
Re: Words Fail
Thank you Rob for sharing with us in this time of our collective sorrow the overwhelming joy and laughter of Andrew Breitbart. His laughter and craziness will be missed.
When I think of Andrew Breitbart I think of a pioneer. Someone who homesteaded the internet. Like a pioneer, he lived on the edge. Unfortunately living that close to the edge can be hard. Like Tim Russert gone before their time and irreplaceable.
Edited on March 1, 2012 at 8:20pmOct '10
Re: Words Fail
Superb thoughts, and thank you for the insights into Andrew for those of us who did not know him.
Re: Words Fail
Thank you for sharing this, Rob.
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That's a great way to put it: he "homesteaded" the internet. But in a way, it also "homesteaded" him back.
Re: Words Fail
I'm still not fully accepting. On my iChat, he's still there. "Away since 8:48 AM" is what it says. Just so hard to believe.
Jul '10
Re: Words Fail
Posting an original picture of Breitbart truly humanizes Him for those of Us Who only "knew" Him digitally.
Thank You.
Re: Words Fail
Mine too. Very hard to accept.
Mar '11
Re: Words Fail
When someone with a large public personality passes, it is easy to forget that person had a private life with family and friends. Unfortunately, sometimes the public figure himself seems to forget those dear to him as well.
From Rob's post, it is clear that Andrew Breitbart always put his family and friends above everything else in his packed life. To me, that is the definition of a good human being.
Rob, I'm sorry for the loss of your dear friend.
Dec '10
Re: Words Fail
I was just thinking...
I think I saw Breitbart as something akin to a conservative rock star. I've never understood the folks that plunged into deep depression when Elvis died, when Hendrix died, down to the recent passing of Whitney Houston. My response was always "really?". But today I feel like someone was ripped away from us unjustly, and while I wouldn't describe it as depression, it is a sadness that I've rarely felt.
Every time I watched a video clip of him I would literally let out a "WHOOP!" or a "YEAH BABY!". I don't see anyone else on the right that can elicit that kind of reaction. He went a long way towards leveling the skewed playing field between the MSM and those on the right - the lefties in the media may outnumber the right, but the right had Andrew.
Prayers to his family.
Jun '10
Re: Words Fail
Rob, as I finished reading your post, tears welled up in my eyes. I had heard the news as I was parking, and as I walked into my office, I thought, "I've got to go on Ricochet." What struck me as I logged on is: what you and Peter and the team here have created isn't just a place for dialog, you've created a community where we can, because of your high standards for civility, come together to grieve.
I am Andrew's age and have my third child due in a few weeks. After my deep sense of loss for my values -- that of a solider realizing a general has died -- my thoughts flew to Susie and his kids. Truly, as you said, their loss is incomparable to ours.
You are in good company, Rob; St. Paul says in his letter to the Romans "...we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."
As a father, husband and a fellow happy warrior, that sums it up for me.
Aug '10
Re: Words Fail
A unique and much needed voice has been silenced.
My condolences to his wife and children - and to his friends
Re: Words Fail
Andrew was my hero. We were about to get started on my campaign for L.A. Superior Court Judge. I only put my name on the ballot because, win or lose, I was going to have a blast doing it with Andrew, who couldn't wait to help me. Last night I sent him an email before I went to bed and had an amazing dream.
I dreamed Andrew was the Speaker Of The House, and I was a jr. member of congress somehow. He allowed me into a meeting where the senior members were trying to figure out how to get all the conservatives to vote together on something. It was crazy, but when I woke up to all the texts about his passing it was such a shock. He was just about the greatest guy I've ever met. So punk rock, to the end.