Reaction to death of conservative Andrew Breitbart
Mar 1, 2012, 8:30 PM
(AP) – Reaction to the death of conservative media publisher and activist Andrew Breitbart:
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“RIP `O Mighty Warrior!” Texas Gov. Rick Perry said on Twitter. Then later released a statement: “Andrew Breitbart was an outspoken pioneer for conservative media who fought for what he believed in, exposing government corruption and media bias. His spirited voice will be missed, but not forgotten. Anita and I extend our sincere condolences and prayers to his family, friends and colleagues across the country.”
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“Media Matters has a long history with Andrew Breitbart,” said Ari Rabin-Havt with the liberal watchdog that was a frequent Breitbart critic. “We’ve disagreed more than we’ve found common ground, but there was never any question of Andrew’s passion for and commitment to what he believed.”
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Rick Santorum, in a statement:
“Andrew was a revolutionary voice and energetic advocate for conservatism across the country. What separated Andrew from most was his courage to stand up to the liberal elite while living in the lion’s den itself. He was never afraid to stand up for what was right, even when he knew he would be attacked for it.”
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Mitt Romney, on Twitter: “Ann and I are deeply saddened by the passing of (at)AndrewBreitbart: brilliant entrepreneur, fearless conservative, loving husband and father.”
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Newt Gingrich tweeted: “Andrew Breitbart’s sudden death is a tragedy for his family and for conservatism. Callista and I send our prayers and our condolences” and “Andrew Breitbart was the most innovative pioneer in conservative activist social media in America. He had great courage and creativity.”
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Sarah Palin, on Facebook: “God bless you, Andrew. Rest in peace, friend. We will continue the fight.”
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Matt Drudge posted this on his website:
“DEAR READER: In the first decade of the DRUDGEREPORT Andrew Breitbart was a constant source of energy, passion and commitment. We shared a love of headlines, a love of the news, an excitement about what’s happening. I don’t think there was a single day during that time when we did not flash each other or laugh with each other, or challenge each other. I still see him in my mind’s eye in Venice Beach, the sunny day I met him. He was in his mid 20’s. It was all there. He had a wonderful, loving family and we all feel great sadness for them today… MDRUDGE”
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Arianna Huffington, editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post Media Group, on her website:
“I was asked many times this morning for my thoughts on what Andrew meant to the political world, but all I can think of at the moment is what Andrew meant to me as a friend, starting from when we worked together _ his passion, his exuberance, his fearlessness. And above all, what I’m thinking of at the moment is his amazing wife Susie and their four beautiful young children. My love and thoughts are with them right now.”
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Paul Krassner, co-founder of the 1960s radical group the Youth International Party (Yippies), who interviewed Brietbart last year for a lengthy, spirited debate that was published in the December issue of Playboy magazine:
“We should put our political and social differences aside at a time like this. It (death) humanizes people in a way that transcends politics.
“He got very insulted when I referred to him as a right-wing propagandist. I said, first of all, he was right-wing, so that was just accuracy. And propagandist wasn’t necessarily bad, propaganda could be truth sometimes.”
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House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, the Virginia Republican, tweeted his condolences: “I’m stunned to hear about the passing of Andrew Breitbart.”
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
