Conservative Mag's Cover Says Russert Will 'Predict Our Next President' From Beyond The Grave

Via Portfolio comes word of a print-media snafu reminiscent of last January's Parade cover story that was ten days off on the news of Benazir Bhutto's death. Conservative magazine Newsmax has a cover story on the "52 Talking Heads Who Will Pick Our Next President," fronted by the image of Tim Russert, whose influence on the election going forward, would be better captured by the Fortean Times.

Well, these things happen. And as Newsmax editor Cable Neuhaus tells it to Jeff Bercovici, there was very little anyone could do:

Well, let's face it, it was an extraordinary situation. Several boxes of the July issue had just arrived in our office, and I was sitting in a conference room with our graphics department, discussing some designs I hoped to implement in the months ahead. It was, I think, some four hours since our in-office supply of bound books had appeared here in West Palm Beach, when suddenly word came that Russert had died. An executive editor poked his head into the conference room and made the announcement. Of course I immediately figured it was a bad, somewhat distasteful joke. I think blood quickly drained from my face, Jeff, as I realized this was largely unprecedented -- and somewhat spooky -- territory. The magazine had already shipped, darnit. It had just shipped, in fact. We could not modify the covers -- not the ones going to subs, not the ones traveling to newsstands. The book was on its way to readers ... with Russert on the cover, and nothing could be done to avert an, uh, awkward situation.

Neuhaus plans to include a "paragraph" explaining the mistake to readers in the next issue. That said, it raises a classic new vs. old media question: seeing as how Newsmax is best known as a website (EIC Christopher Ruddy describes the brand as "the leading independent online news site with a conservative perspective") that's often criticized for trafficking in "willful misrepresentation," why maintain a print organ that's at risk of spreading unwitting misrepresentation?

Comments

[jeffp26]

Last night I awoke and Tim was standing at the foot of my bed.

he told me, in very clear language, that Obama was the only hope for our country. He said McCloneBush would start world war 3, and we would all perish in a hail of nuclear weapons shortly after McClone was inaugurated.

Thank you Tim. RIP now.

[elmoor]

Newsmax is propoganda trash. 'News' shouldn't even be allowed in the title. (kinda like Fox 'News')

[obamagirl1968]

Fixed Noise!!

[meanguy]

doesn't this belong in 'news of the weird?' what's the matter, scarianna-couldn't you come up with another amy winehouse story?

[coloradosiren]

Is it asking too much to let the man RIP. What next, a séance?

[Yuma]

I don't even want to go there.
Tim was a good man.

[levibatgirl]

Freaks.

[larry278]

If the late Mr Russert does correctly predict the results of the '08 election, will it be considered a miracle which can be used to lift him to sainthood?

[RedDogBear]

What? Are you implying that his saintly deeds, his incredible integrity, his unflinching questioning of those in power, his never ending quest for truth justice and the American Way are not enough to elevate St. Russ? For shame.

[GeoLee]

Having watched many of his interviews, unflinching remains questionable at times in my mind as mor ethan once I saw him back down from the hard question and give people passes, Dick Cheney being one particular I recall having a less that confrontive interview. Sainthood states may elude him.

[larry278]

Yes, RedDogBear, the RC's demand much more of their saints than the qualities you've given to the late Mr Russert. Some say that the RC church is a mysterious operation; that may be the RC's desire to be seen as mysterious. However, don't let that discourage you from praying & working to promote Mr Russert's cause.

[CoyoteMan]

Russert couldn't predict an election when he was alive!
He was "the big giant talking head". A celeb just like Britney Spears.
We all know that Britney Spears is joke and so was the egotistical Russert.

[lincheryl]

Why put someone down after their death? Aren't there enough people breathing that deserve attacking?

[fightorleave2]

Good for you, coyote man, but I wouldn't be surprised if some repub. wingnut won't attack you, or more particularly this website, for denigrating Russert, who I thought was already believed to be a saint, as if liberals didn't 'honor' the dead or his 'service' to this nation, etc.

[HoracePManure]

I was kinda hoping he'd guide the Bills to a Super Bowl.

[edwarvir]

perfect nonsense. Where's the Beef.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[darthdarcy]

Some mistake give me a break...

[longislandlol]

Tim was clairvoyant

[MissKaren]

Good Lord, what fools these mortals be.

[LeaveArtieAlone]

That is perfect!