ANDREW BREITBART DEAD AT 43

Andrew Breitbart, 1969-2012

ANDREW BREITBART PASSED AWAY SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT TODAY, IN LOS ANGELES

From Dateline Zero

The cause of death is currently unspecified; butBig Hollywood reports that his death was “unexpected” but “from natural causes.”

Breitbart’s father-in-law told the Associated Pressthat Breitbart was walking near his house when he collapsed. Someone saw him fall and called 911. Breitbart was taken to UCLA Medical Center, but could not be revived.

Tragic news for conservatives and those who followed his work.

But, I think, also a loss for folks who admired his forays into alternative media — regardless of personal political leanings. After working behind the scenes at Matt Drudge’s ‘Drudge Report’ for a good decade, Breitbart was among the those who worked with Arianna Huffington when she launched her Huffington Post (as is mentioned in an article at HuffPost this morning). More recently, he launched his own Breitbart.com; which grew into a large and successful menu of sites — including Breitbart.tv, Big Hollywood, Big Peace, Big Government.

Breitbart made many friends, lost friends, made enemies, made friends back. One thing notable about Breitbart had been his being unafraid of taking unpopular positions, if he strongly believes in them. He’s seemed more than happy to criticize other popular conservatives like Glenn Beck, been a speaker at Tea Party events, and worked with gay Republican group GOProud.

Andrew Breitbart recently wrote a new conclusion to his book, Righteous Indignation [via Big Hollywood]

I love my job. I love fighting for what I believe in. I love having fun while doing it. I love reporting stories that the Complex refuses to report. I love fighting back, I love finding allies, and—famously—I enjoy making enemies.
Three years ago, I was mostly a behind-the-scenes guy who linked to stuff on a very popular website. I always wondered what it would be like to enter the public realm to fight for what I believe in. I’ve lost friends, perhaps dozens. But I’ve gained hundreds, thousands—who knows?—of allies. At the end of the day, I can look at myself in the mirror, and I sleep very well at night.

Larry Solov comments at Big Hollywood: “We have lost a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a dear friend, a patriot and a happy warrior. Andrew lived boldly, so that we more timid souls would dare to live freely and fully, and fight for the fragile liberty he showed us how to love.”

Liberal media watchdog Media Matters issued this statement this morning: “We’ve disagreed more than we’ve found common ground, but there was never any question of Andrew’s passion for and commitment to what he believed.”

Jason Gillman recollects at RightMichigan: “A couple of months ago, we hosted him in Traverse City, Michigan for an AFP event, and I was fortunate to spend some time with him on a Michael Moore hunt downtown. His wit, candor, and value to our community will be missed.”

Matt Drudge wrote at the top of his website:

DEAR READER: In the first decade of the DRUDGEREPORT Andrew Breitbart was a constant source of energy, passion and commitment. We shared a love of headlines, a love of the news, an excitement about what’s happening. I don’t think there was a single day during that time when we did not flash each other or laugh with each other, or challenge each other. I still see him in my mind’s eye in Venice Beach, the sunny day I met him. He was in his mid 20′s. It was all there. He had a wonderful, loving family and we all feel great sadness for them today… MDRUDGE