Who Is Maurice Greenberg, Man Behind Bid for 'NY Times'?

[deadparrot]

NEW YORK Because of the "dual stock" status of The New York Times Co., the chances that Maurice "Hank" Greenberg -- the former AIG chairman and CEO now reported to be intent on taking over the company -- will actually succeed in his quest may be slim. Still, he is a man to be reckoned with, and who knows what ripple effects may appear.

If Greenberg ever did get in the position to run the company, the political orientation of the paper might well change. Greenberg has strong Republican connections -- friend of Henry Kissinger, once mentioned as a Reagan appointee to help run the CIA, and a funder of GOP candidates.

Federal election forms show that he gave $1000 to former Rep. Mark Foley for both his 2000 and his 2004 races. For the latter campaign, he donated $2000 to George Bush and $1000 or more to Sen. John McCain, Rep. David Dreier, Rep. Dennis Hastert, Sen. Christopher Bond and several other Republicans, as well as Democratic Sen. Christoper Dodd (who represents Connecticut, a big insurance state). Over the years he strongly favored Republicans with his donations, with a smattering of Democrats, including Rep. Charles Rangel, mixed in. Greenberg gave to both Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush in their races for the White House.

For the 2006 race, he funded Sen. John Kyl of Arizona in his successful re-election bid.

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003465952

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Let me put it this way: If Greenberg ends up with a controlling

interest at The Times, Paul Krugman will find another publisher for his column as well as Maureen Dowd.

[acmavm]

2. Do you think anyone is crazy enough to believe that the NYT is

anything but a republican rag anyway?

It's hardly been a bastion of truth and honesty the last 6+ years. Why would this guy getting the company be make any difference? Just because it has Krugman and Dowd? I would think the main importance of any newspaper would be it's reporting, not its editorial staff. I like Krugman and Dowd, but the main focus should be on reporting the news and the TRUTH.

[applegrove]

3. I take it you don't read the columnists. They are on the front line of

this * mess.