Posted by
on Monday, January 29, 2007 12:42:39 PM
Last night, we lost a good journalist and ally in Deborah Orin-Eilbeck. She was the New York Post's Wasington, DC bureau chief. She was a tough-as-nails, fair and forceful journalist who was from the old school, rather than the new school of highly-biased journalism:Deborah Orin-Eilbeck, The Post's longtime D.C. bureau chief whose passion for politics and unrivaled integrity kept Washington on its toes, died yesterday after a battle with cancer.
"Laura and I were saddened to learn of the death of Deborah Orin-Eilbeck," President Bush said.
"Deb had a distinguished, decades-long career as a journalist, covering every presidential campaign since 1980 and joining the New York Post's Washington bureau in 1988.
"Deb fought a valiant battle against cancer with the same tenacity, devotion, and determination that she brought to her work in the White House briefing room through numerous administrations," the president said. "She'll be missed by all of us at the White House who cared deeply for her."
Post Editor-in-Chief Col Allan said, "Deborah was one of the nation's finest political reporters. She was never part of press group-think that so often rules Washington.
"Common sense ruled her mind, not dogma. I will miss her advice, and The Post's readers will miss her honesty and wisdom."
Orin-Eilbeck, 59, joined the New York Post in 1977 after a stint with the Long Island Press, and she immediately made her mark on New York politics.
When the Post dispatched her to Washington in 1988, she quickly emerged as one of the nation's top political journalists.
She covered four presidencies, interviewing leaders and dignitaries including President Bush, Barbara Bush, Condoleeza Rice and Colin Powell.
Even one of her biggest sparring partners, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), reached out to wish her well during her illness.
"As hard as it is to believe, we really miss you around here," Clinton wrote.
Republican pollster John McLaughlin said, "Deb was a very honest and dedicated journalist. She always tried to find the truth and write the truth — even when it hurt.
"Deb's integrity was impeccable. She kept her word and would never let you do her a favor, simply to avoid any appearance of favoritism.
"Deb's passing is our loss. There will be one less important voice to ask the tough questions of those who are our leaders now and to ask those who want to be president."
This is a woman being mourned by many people in the blogosphere.As you read above, even the president sent his condolences out. He rarely does that, and I do not recall him doing that for Orianna Fallaci when she passed last year from cancer. And as someone who recognizes good journalism when it comes along, I can tell you that she will definitely be missed. The journalists of today could not even come close to the class, style, and professionalism that this woman possessed.
Marcie