Jennifer Rubin Decides That Boston Explosions Are a Perfect Time to Make a Point About Abortion [Updated]
She was wrong.
It seemed, for a while, like the New York Times' Nicholas Kristof would be the winner of today's inevitable Worst Politicization of a Deadly Tragedy contest after he tweeted this (since-deleted) critique of GOP obstructionism:
But Kristof has since deleted the tweet and apologized:
People jumping on me for criticizing Sen Repubs for blocking ATF appointments. ok, that was low blow. i take it back
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) April 15, 2013
All of the above! RT @d_hershberger: @nickkristof low blow? how about classless, or insensitive?
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) April 15, 2013
Soon after, though, the Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin swooped in to fill the void, and then some:
Not writing on Boston. It is a local crime story for now.
— Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) April 15, 2013
It's subtle, but Rubin appears to be making an allusion to a colleague of hers at the Washington Post, Sarah Kliff, who has said that she didn't write about the Kermit Gosnell stoy because she covers policy, "not local crime." So congratulations to Jennifer Rubin, who, against all odds, found a way to use what appears to be a deadly terror attack to make a point about abortion.
Update, 5:35 p.m.: In later tweets, Rubin gives a wholly different explanation for her "local crime" tweet. You be the judge.
@kredo0 to be clear, not writing until we know extent of and responsibility for in contrast to NY Post and claims attached to JFK
— Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) April 15, 2013
Update, 6:03 p.m.: The Wall Street Journal's James Taranto tweeted out a partisan joke about President Obama, then deleted it minutes later and apologized.
Really?Really?!RT @jamestaranto Obama is going to make a statement. Boehner is going to have a moment of silence. Advantage GOP.
— Daniel Drezner (@dandrezner) April 15, 2013
Critics of my last tweet have a point. Deleted.
— James Taranto (@jamestaranto) April 15, 2013