Conservative internet publisher, blogger and political commentator Andrew Breitbart died unexpectedly early this morning in Los Angeles, CA. He was 43.
Breitbart described himself as a “Reagan conservative with libertarian sympathies.” His work was published in the Wall St. Journal, National Review Online and Weekly Standard Online, as well as in numerous other news outlets.He also wrote a weekly column for The Washington Times, and appeared as a commentator on Real Times with Bill Maher, Dennis Miller and in the 2004 documentary Michael Moore Hates America.
He assisted Arianna Huffington in creating her website, The Huffington Post, and was editor at Drudge Report. His book, Righteous Indignation: Excuse Me While I Save the World, discussed his own political evolution and the part he took in the rise of new media. He often appeared as a speaker at Tea Party movement events across the United States.
His website, bigjournalism.com, was an outlet for breaking political scandal. He was key in the investigation of former U.S. Agriculture Department official Shirley Sherrod, who later brought a defamation suit against Breitbart. He also aided in the investigation and sting operation of community group ACORN. Breitbart’s most memorable news was the Anthony Weiner sexting scandal in June, 2011. HIs websites broke the story that Weiner was sending women revealing photos of himself.
According to Breitbart’s father-in-law, actor Orson Bean, a bystander saw Breitbart collapse shortly after midnight while out on a walk near his Brentwood, CA home. He was declared dead at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. Breitbart reportedly had heart problems last year, and the LAPD is investigating his death. Bean said, “I don’t know what to say. It’s devastating.”
Breitbart is survived by his wife and 4 children.