Kinsley in demand

Michael Kinsley is still a new enough addition to the L.A. scene that his at-large punditry seems worth chronicling. At least for a little while longer. He's quoted twice in today's New York Observer. One of the pieces is about Pat Buchanan, of whom columnist (and KCRW commentator) Joe Hagan writes, "over the years, Mr. Buchanan has made a few not-so-subtle racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic remarks, most well documented and even more well argued in conservative journals. All things considered, it�s amazing he�s still on television." Kinsley doesn't speak to that, but compares his old Crossfire rival to another ever less-relevant figure:

"Ralph Nader came by the editorial board a couple weeks ago, and he had that same quality," said Mr. Kinsley, now running The Los Angeles Times� editorial board. "He was tired and he gets the joke�the same quality that Pat has. He doesn�t give a shit anymore. He�s weary but smiling, but undeterred. In both cases, unfortunately."
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"He�s [Buchanan] a lot smarter than George Bush or Dick Cheney, and he�s more principled than both of them," said Mr. Kinsley, "but he happens to have principles that are loony."

Kinsley also responded to a question about Harper's editor Lewis Lapham, who's under fire for writing a column before the RNC that reads as if he were there. "I can�t understand a word he writes," Kinsley quipped. Meanwhile, Z�calo bills its Sept. 7 event at the Central Library as Kinsley's "long-awaited public debut in Los Angeles." (L.A. Observed co-sponsors the Z�calo series of public forums). Larry Mantle of KPCC will lead a conversation with the Times Editorial Page and Opinion Editor. It's free in the Mark Taper Auditorium at 7 p.m., but reservations are recommended.