Conservative commentator Tony Blankley dies at 63

[Sapphocrat]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Tony Blankley, a conservative author and commentator who served as press secretary to Newt Gingrich during the 1990s, when Republicans took control of Congress, has died. He was 63.

. . .

In his long career as a political operative and pundit, his most visible role was as a spokesman for and adviser to Gingrich from 1990 to 1997. Gingrich became House Speaker when Republicans took control of the U.S. House of Representatives following the 1994 midterm elections.

Earlier, Blankley spent six years in the Reagan administration in a variety of positions, including speechwriter and senior policy analyst.

From 2002 to 2007, he served as editorial page editor of The Washington Times. In recent years, he also wrote a syndicated newspaper column and provided political commentary for CNN, NBC and NPR. He was also a regular panelist on "The McLaughlin Group."

. . .


Read more: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/01/08/1974626/political-operative-and-pundit.html

[Rhiannon12866]

1. K&R. Wow, seems like I just saw him on TV.

Shocking... and very sad for his friends and family. :(

[rpannier]

2. 63 is not that old

Sympathies to his family and friends

[Divine Discontent]

3. yeah, thats pretty early to pass when you have access to care as he surely did

ya just never know.

God bless us all

[Divine Discontent]

4. his wife was a doc. he died of stomach cancer a site reports

[No Elephants]

5. I thought he was much older. I thought McL:aughlin called him out years ago for collecting Social

Security while he opposed it.

It must have been someone else on McLaughlin's panel.

Anyway, 63 is young to pass away; stomach cancer is not a good way to go; and I am sorry for suffering and for his loved ones.

[Divine Discontent]

6. yep, the arrogance of GOPers who benefit from the govt while

disparaging it is so hypocritical.

[sabrina 1]

7. I'm sorry to hear that. Never liked his politics, but airc, he was

not a rabid rightwinger. Sad for his family, and he was older than I thought he was.

RIP Tony Blankley!

[eringer]

8. His efforts to block the vote will be missed by the Republicans that payed his freight

Goodbye, Anthony -- good buddy of Mark Levine and Sean Hannity.

[hadrons]

9. Tony Blankley ... he improved the world by leaving it...

Blankley ... will not be missed