TNR

The New Republic is in some trouble, but the Scott Thomas business is the least of it. The venerable pub has gotten through Glass, Shalit and Siegel, and as bleak as things look now, this too shall pass. What worries me -- as a subscriber and as a longtime fan -- is the talent drain.

I just read that James Wood has left for the greener Conde Nast pastures of The New Yorker, quick on the heels of Ryan Lizza's flight to Remnick's welcoming arms. Coupled with the fact that TNR never really replaced Margaret Talbot (she left a few years ago, but remains a contributing editor), also now at the NYer, it seems to me that their front and back of the book has become kinda thin.

Leon, who gives the best quote in the biz, says, "The New Republic plays many significant roles in American culture, and one of them is to find and to develop writers with whom The New Yorker can eventually staff itself," but he's got to be worried. Ruth Franklin, although viciously intelligent, is no James Wood. (But then, who is?)

Not that Foer or Peretz care what I think, but I'd do two things to stanch the bleeding: Pay Michael Crowley and Jason Zengerle "fuck you money." When the NYer or The New York Observer comes calling (they've tried once with MC already), give them the opportunity to say no. Force Zengerle to write more cover stories on whatever the hell fuck he pleases.