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As all the rest of us, I’m simply stunned. He was a wonderful man and always so kind. I loved him for his passion and commitment to helping us make our country safe and sound again. Our bond was very much that we shared the experience of being on the left, seeing it for what it was, and making that journey to the right. A person, especially those of us with the shared experience, simply felt safer knowing Andrew was around. He was a good friend and wonderful man. For those of us lucky enough to experience him, we will be forever grateful. RIP my darling.
This is a huge loss for all of us and to the conservative movement in general. I’ll add to this as the day goes on as I collect my thoughts.
Big Journalism: In Memoriam: Andrew Breitbart (1969-2012)
With a terrible feeling of pain and loss we announce the passing of Andrew Breitbart.
Andrew passed away unexpectedly from natural causes shortly after midnight this morning in Los Angeles.
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.Andrew recently wrote a new conclusion to his book, Righteous Indignation:
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.
Andrew is at rest, yet the happy warrior lives on, in each of us.
Fox: Conservative commentator Andrew Breitbart is dead at 43
Breitbart was walking near his house in the Brentwood neighborhood shortly after midnight Thursday when he collapsed, his father-in-law Orson Bean said.
Someone saw him fall and called paramedics, who tried to revive him. They rushed him to the emergency room at UCLA Medical Center, Bean said. Breitbart had suffered heart problems a year earlier, but Bean said he could not pinpoint what happened.
“I don’t know what to say. It’s devastating,” Bean told The Associated Press.
Those who knew and worked with him described Breitbart almost uniformly as “fearless,” sharply intelligent, witty and devoted to his work.
Drudge:
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
At CPAC 2012 the trailer for Hating Breitbart was released. The movie will be released this spring. It received a Standing Ovation.
His speech from CPAC this year:
His book: Righteous Indignation: Excuse Me While I Save the World!
A Tammy Radio interview with Andrew on 6/30/2010
(((hugs))) Tammy
When hearing him speak, it made me want to get up and cheer. He shook me out of my political lethargy. By example, he motivated conservatives to stand up, get a “mad on” and fight. A man with “principled passion”. What was not to love about a guy like that?
…….I have a gaping “Breitbart Sized” hole in my heart……..no other shape will fill that void.
So sad. So shocking. I feel for his family & friends – young children losing their dad – heartbreaking. I sure hope his colleagues will forward his efforts….what promising comments from CPAC this year!
Tammy, this is just surreal. I keep thinking that this is just a ruse and Breitbart’s going deep dark undercover for a while to dig up some real dirt on Urkel. That would so be something I could see him do. It is a sad day for all conservatives out their with the loss of such a great man who inspired many.
I have not felt such devastating loss of someone I never personally met since the death of Ronald Reagan.
I am so sorry for the loss of your personal friend Tammy!! (((((HUGS)))))
HG – I had the same thought earlier…except in President Reagan’s case, he was 93, had been ill for a long time, and though sad, his passing was not a sudden shock.
But 43…43…a week ago, I turned 43…and I am certainly no Andrew Breitbart, no cultural icon, no husband, no father…
Sigh…
MC, I understand where you’re coming from I turned 44 last month. I’m thinking 43 too!!!
You may not be a cultural icon, nor husband or father at this time but you ARE the official time keeper and forever a TAM!!! ((((HUGS)))) for you too!
HG and MC – I know where you are coming from – I am older than you both (I am 46) Was saddened to hear of Andrews death today. I greatly admired his work – he will be missed
one could not help but get quite upset while seeing his colleagues in anguish during the Foxnews coverage:( Even though we never knew him, you got the sense that you knew his heart, like you knew where he was coming from. He was always there, saying exactly what you would of wanted to say to the establishment, and to the left. He made a huge difference. On a lighter note…. I will also miss his retweets;) priceless!
I know exactly what you mean. My first response was that it was some bad joke or he had staged it for some reason. Oh how I wish that was the case!
While sometimes I feel trully saddened at the loss of a public figure, the last time I shed tears until today was for Ronald Reagan as well. The loss of Andrew Breitbart is even more tragic for all the potential that will now never be realized and the powerful voice that has been silenced.
Tomorrow we must all soldier on and sharpen our sticks and continue to poke the leftists in the eye just like Breitbart so revelled in doing.
My hearfelt condolences go out to all of you who knew him personally and especially to his family, wife and children.
Our hearts are sooo sore….God bless his family and lets keep up the fight for truth that Andrew fought so hard for…we love him and are so thankful for his bravery!!!!
Just shocking! I will really miss this guy. What guts he had. You just never know if tomorrow will be there to greet you:( But he surely lived life to fullest! I am very heartened by all of the condolence comments on Huffpo. Just proves the vast majority of us are human despite our disagreements. A very sad day for those who knew him, and a very sad day for America and the cause of freedom. May we make his spirit smile when we defeat Urkel in November!!!
I am heartbroken. Deepest condolences to Andrew’s family and to all who were fortunate enough to know him. May God bless the soul of this wonderful man who will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Andrew.
Dittos
This is terrible. We’ve just lost one of our best and brightest, one of our fiercest fighters, and a very good man. It’s hard to believe.
What a loss…pray for his wife and kids…Smart and fearless man
i am so sorry for your loss, tammy. i know that you were friends with him.
TAMs, keep praying for andrew’s family. let’s make sure that his life and mission was not lived in vain.
rick
Didn’t Breitbart claim recently he had some secret film of Obama he was going to release in the near future? And now he falls dead. “Heart problems” Okay.
A shock. Wasn’t it just yesterday Tammy was talking about those whose lives end too soon? He was a trailblazer. The impact of what he accomplished in his short life is incalculable, so too what we have lost in his passing.
I couldn’t believe this when I heard it this morning. Besides being shocked, the thing that irked me was the description that he died of “natural causes.” A 43-year-old does not die of natural causes! I’m guessing it was heart disease, but then say that rather than this amorphous category otherwise known as dying of old age.
Anyway, what a horrible loss to the nation. He was an anti-establishment rebel and a warrior for our cause. God Bless his mourning loved ones.
Sad day. He has left a great legacy that the conservatives can continue to grow! RIP Andrew – Great Citizen-Patriot!!!
My heart was broken hearing Tammy today. Andrew would be proud of all the good people his life touched and is probably in heaven smiling!
My most heartfelt condolences to his family. I am deeply saddened by Andrew’s passing. I loved his fearless manner, and his love and commitment to freedom. I know that he is in a better place. God speed and Rest in Peace, Andrew Breitbart.
God Bless the Breitbart Family for he has taken another good one into his bosom.
I am devastated. I did have the good fortune of meeting Andrew Breitbart twice. The first time was last spring at the Tucson Tea Party, where I bought VIP tent tickets specifically to get to meet him. Turns out I did not need to since he hung out in the book signing area and spoke with and took pictures with everyone. I was so pleased when I told him that I was the Arizona State Coordinator for Smart Girl Politics, and he was enthusiastic about our group. I gave an autographed copy of ‘Righteous Indignation’ to my husband for Father’s Day.
The second time I met him was at the Smart Girl Summit last summer. There was a scheduling mix up and he was not confirmed until the week of the event, but he drove down to St. Louis from Michigan with one of his sons to attend the event during his family vacation. He gave a great speech at the banquet. I received an award at the banquet and was giddy that he was in the audience when it was presented. He did a Q&A the next day, and really came back at a woman who tried to shame him over the Shirley Sherrod tapes (yes, she was conservative – the type of conservative that I am sick of – the kind who willing puts her own head in the guillotine). He talked alot about who you want in your foxhole during this battle. He mentioned his litmus test was how people spoke of Sarah Palin, not that you had to support her, but the conservatives that were snotty about her were ones he avoided and did not want in his foxhole. It really changed my perspective on activism and how to proceed.
I keep seeing him and his son hanging out at the hotel and just chatting with them throughout the weekend. I keep seeing that boy’s face today. Heartbreaking.
I am devastated. Our politicians won’t fight for us. Only people like Tammy and Breitbart will, and that was comforting to me and kept up the belief that things would ultimately be alright. These are the times when faith is tested.
I cannot imagine your grief Tammy. I am thinking of you and praying for you as well.
I was so saddened to awaken this morning to hear of the news of the death of Andrew Breitbart. He was one of our few genuine journalists. He courageously fought for the conservative cause. Sadly, many today will rejoice in his passing, but many more will grieve. He was a liberal who finally saw the light and shined that light in a darkened world. Andrew Breitbart, a life well lived and a job well done. Thank you, Andrew Breitbart. Rest in peace.
I know this is a deeply personal loss for you, Tammy. My prayers are with you and with the familiy and friends of Andrew Breitbart.
Crushed.
Last time I saw Andrew in person he was amazing: Andrew Breitbart to Trumka and Jimmy Hoffa: “F*ck You!” (Video) http://bit.ly/pj8tXy
Just 2 landmark items from February-
February 6th, Listen2 this…Stephen Bannon: Exclusive: Breitbart Has Dinner With Bill Ayers http://goo.gl/mabZu
February 11th, Andrew Breitbart At CPAC, “I Have Videos” of Obama From His College Day… http://weaselzippers.us/2012/02/10/hmmm-andrew-breitbart-at-cpac-i-have-videos-of-obama-from-his-college-day/
RIP AB, we will carry on the fight in your name!
RIP Brother. We loved you. I will do this right later, I’m at work and on SUPER Short time.
First time I heard him speak, I put him in my prayers for protection.He must have been a wonderful husband and father because he cared about truth so much. A patriotic warrior has left a large vacancy. I hope we can fill it for him or at least try. God Bless his family.
Hated hearing you cry, Tammy. I cried too!
Agree, he must live on through us!
Long Live Andrew Breitbart!
Andrew Breitbart was a great American. It’s too bad that his greatness will never have a chance to reach its full potential. RIP.
I was listening to Breitbart interviewed on a podcast with Hugh Hewitt a few hours ago, the interview was from *yesterday* when I heard, what a shock. What a tremendous loss for his family and friends, and yes for all of us. Fearless, outspoken, knowledgeable. I’m having trouble grasping it.
A 43 year old can indeed die suddenly, in minutes, from natural causes; sometimes from a known problem, sometimes from an undiagnosed condition. A branch of my family has severe coronary artery disease, none of the men have lived past the age or 42, even with today’s advanced treatments for heart disease. They dropped dead where they stood, without warning. A co-worker lost her 39 year old son 6 months ago from an undiagnosed brain aneurysm. It happens. I will truly miss Anthony Breitbart. He was one of a kind.
What the candidates tweeted:
@RickSantorum: Andrew’s death is a shock & huge loss. His courage should be an example to us all. Our prayers are with his family.
@NewtGingrich:Andrew Breitbart’s sudden death is a tragedy for his family and for conservatism. Callista and I send our prayers and our condolences.
Andrew Breitbart was the most innovative pioneer in conservative activist social media in America. He had great courage and creativity
@MittRomney: Ann and I are deeply saddened by the passing of @AndrewBreitbart: brilliant entrepreneur, fearless conservative, loving husband and father.
Thanks for this RuBagonia. I was wondering what all their responses might have been.
May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. May the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, May the Lord hold you in the palm of His hand.
Andrew Breitbart at UNC- December 5, 2011
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o95zmOQfASY
I was shocked to see the alert from Fox News on my iPhone today. His death pried into my thoughts even as I was finishing my Yoga session today.
God – Thank You for Andrew. His book was an education for me. His life IS a reminder for me of what we can do in the small circles we operate in.
The Left doesn’t know it yet… BUT if they thought they had trouble before when Andrew was Here on Earth – NOW HE is OUR Guardian Angel and there is no stopping us NOW!
Charge!
BTW I just went to Amazon to see what is happening with the “Righteous Indignation”
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#1 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Professionals & Academics > Journalists
#2 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics
#5 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences
If you haven’t read his book – READ IT! Wow! it opened my eyes a little more!
I keep re-reading portions of it.
A truly enormous loss for the conservative movement of someone truly courageous, inspirational, honest, and an independent thinker… Having never met or known the man personally, the emotion and tears felt today are a little surprising, but then again… As with Gov. Palin he spoke for so many of us who feel we have no voice…
I’ve heard Andrew Breitbart described several times today with one word: fearless.
Fearless: defined as brave, unafraid.
Synonyms: assured, aweless, bodacious, bold, brassy, cheeky, chesty, cocky, confident, cool hand, courageous, daring, dashing, dauntless, doughty, gallant, game, gritty, gutsy, heroic, indomitable, intrepid, lionhearted, nervy, plucky, salty, sanguine, smart, spunky, sure, temerarious, unabashed, undaunted, unflinching, valiant, valorous, wise.
Rare is the day when we meet, experience, have in our lives someone who so honestly reflects these words.
While I am profoundly sad at the loss of such a fantastic human being and conservative warrior, I take great stock in (what is my opinion) the lesson of Mr. Breitbart’s beautiful life, which is to live every moment fully, passionately & purposefully. It is up to each and every one of us to carry that forward.
Thank you Tammy for the show today. I’m so sorry for your personal loss of a treasured friend.
-sm
More fond memories of our dearly departed friend…from this past August.
Wishing Tammy a Happy Birthday:
Track 2, starting at 6:26
https://tammybruce.com/2011/08/happy-birthday-tammy.html
Godspeed to you sir and heartfelt prayers for the entire Breitbart family. #RIP
-sm
Shelly:
Beautifully said.
Beautifully stated, Shelly.
I’ll ditto what Trish said. Brava, Shelly.
I love being a TAM…I will listen to the podcast this evening, but how absolutely devastating the loss of Andrew is.
Tammy, it brought me back to what you said the other day. That we should not fear age, but use it as a badge of honor for those who didn’t get to live as long.
Andrew Breitbart, you are so often mentioned as fearless. I pray that we who are currently fearful will step in and carry some fearlessness in your honor and on your behalf. I plan to–that’s the only way that your leaving us now will somehow make a teeny bit of sense. Rest in peace dear man and God Bless your family and close friends.
I’m stunned, shocked, and saddened for the Breitbart family as well as Andrew’s friends and all of us for whom he was such a powerful inspiration. May you be comforted, dear Tammy, for the loss of your friend and kindred spirit. God bless and keep you both.
So great to hear from you today, Tammy. Of all the talk show hosts, you seemed like the closest one to him.
We’re all heartbroken.
I was breathless when I heard the news today. Disbelief. It’s so devastating to think that we will no longer hear from him again, see his speeches, witness his antics. Maybe the Obama videos will be his final act of vengeance against the liberal media.
After sorting through the emotions, I realized that we really need to step up to the plate for Andrew. He took so many vicious blows from the left and carried such a heavy load. We should pool our talents and continue the fight.
His message about wrestling cultural control away from the left really resonated with me. That spurred me to work harder on my cartoons.
Sigh… God bless him and and his family.
I’m in shock. Breitbart stood up to the bullies and exposed them for what they were. In challenging a sickening world that applauds depravity and beats decent people into submission, Breitbart walked tall and never flinched. He was a hero, and his loss is a tragedy. We must remember his example. Wishing peace for his departed soul, and for his family and friends.
Andrew Breitbart memorialized on floor of Congress http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/03/andrew-breitbart-memorialized-on-floor-of-congress.html
amazing…andrew was a HUGE part of the greatness of our takin the country back..it really does kinda shock u back to reality of just how fragile life is…just totally tragic..maybe he’ll be smiling down on us from somewhere as we kick more of the asses?
I just found out about Andrew! OMG, how unexpected! A reminder too, how short our life could be. R.I.P. Andrew.
I was fortunate to see Andrew introduce Sarah Palin at the National Tea Party Convention in Nashville 2 years ago. We were there to see Sarah, but what a thrill it was – one of those rare experiences where the introducer was as electrifying as the keynote speaker herself.
My heart aches for the Breitbart family, and for all of us. Tammy, may God comfort you and help you channel the strength that I know you have.
And so, with our lives enriched by such a great example, it’s up to us to press on. Andrew wouldn’t have it any other way.
It saddens me greatly knowing we will be moving forward into this election without one of our greatest heroes.
I never met Andrew Breitbart. So, why am I so shocked and so hurt by the news? Maybe because Andrew was our older brother, you know, the one you run to when you are a kid, and some bullies in the playground are threatening you. You run to your big brother, and he laughs, “Don’t worry, kid. I’ll go down there with you tomorrow, and I’ll ‘take care’ of things.” And you know that your big brother is gonna really kick a$$. We are being bullied by the Obama regime – a bunch of Leftist thugs. And Andrew was kicking their a$$. He took on ACORN, and exposed them as the thieves that they really are. He promised us some “juicy” info on Urkel in the next few months, some real vetting. How I was looking forward to that! I don’t know who to cry for: his wife, his children, his parents, or… for us? May his memory be for a blessing.
I am in shock. He’s the conservative warrior I could personally relate to most, as a middle-class media-saturated Jewish kid who grew up in the ’70s and ’80s, who took a right turn in the ’90s and ’00s. He did more in his last 15 years than most of us will do in a lifetime. His memory is blessed and his legacy will last forever.
What an incredibly sad day- I hear Tammy (often) say take nothing for granted… I always agree in my mind and go on about my day but this one really stings. Your show was most comforting and I so appreciate it. A big hug to Tammy, and to Andrew- may the very God above who breathes life into each and every one of us bring you and your family peace beyond measure.
Although Breitbart came across as a gruff, angry, belligerent person to those on the left, we who are true conservatives viewed him as a beautiful soul, an honest & passionate warrior. I loved to sit & watch his speeches & interviews on youtube, especially when he was annoying the liberal host. I gave my oldest son his book last week “Righteous Indignation” and told him to please read it. I made sure to tell everyone that he was my hero. I will miss him, I truly feel like I’ve lost a close family member. It’s breaking my heart. I pray for his family; how devastating. How fitting he would name his son Samson, maybe when he’s older he’ll continue his father’s good work.
God Bless Your Soul Andrew
I am still shocked even after a day to try and process the horrible news of Andrew Breitbart’s death. There are no words. He was one of a short list of conservative fighters that I truely admired. He was a role model for Courage in the face of leftists that want to destroy our country and way of life. Prayers go out to his family and friends.
I don’t think I can listen to Tammy’s podcast today. I will have to save for another time. So sorry for the passing on of your friend Tammy.
A Giant…fearless…these things and more have been said and will be said by those who loved and respected Andrew Breitbart. To so many of us, he was our champion; he had an opportunity to say the things so many of us wished we could say – and he said them – out loud – for Everyone to hear. We owe him a debt we will never be able to repay. What we can do to honor him is to keep standing, keep fighting…maybe not the way he did because as Americans we know that each of us is truly unique and individual; but in whatever way we are able and whenever the opportunity presents itself. Rest in Peace, Andrew Breitbart. May G-d take your family into His sheltering arms and grant comfort and peace to all of those who will carry on your mission.
Andrew will be terribly missed. God bless his wife and children.
I am reminded by a line from “Cleopatra”: There has never been such a silence.
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend, Tammy. He was, and will remain, an example of patriotism and citizen activism for us all to follow.
May God bless his spirit, and prayers for the comfort of his family.
[…] Bruce remembering Andrew Breitbart on her blog pointed to the shared revelation they had about the left: Our bond was very much that we shared the […]
Tammy, I’m so sorry for the loss of your good friend. He was not afraid to speak his mind and gave a great speech at CPAC. My prayers go out to his family and friends.
I was always completely captivated by Andrew Breitbart. At the end of every speech, I’d think to myself, “I want to be like that!” The example he set was so strong, proud & fearless. TAMs, so proud to be in this family of Patriots with you all!
Tammy, I’m so sorry for the loss of your good friend, Andrew. While I knew you worked together on The Undefeated, not until the first hour of today’s podcast did I realize he was more to you than just another converted liberal to our conservative cause. Like other posters, I was at first shocked, thought it couldn’t be, then thought it would be just like Andrew to create a diversion to see how many liberals took the bait. How I wish that were true! Too young, too full of life and passion, and still needed to be a daddy to those four precious little ones. He was a champion, our town crier, a warrior and American patriot. So so sad. God bless and keep him and hold his family in his tender care.
I rarely leave an actual post but here I am. I guess my thoughts right now are shock and disbelief. Prayers to his family. You know he’s gonna be watching over us and helping us kick the butt from afar. That’s all I got right now.
[…] And, finally, Tammy Bruce who wept at times during today’s podcast. Her thoughts and those of her TAMily can be found here: ANDREW BREITBART, RIP. […]
I first heard Andrew on The Rusty Humphries radio show, shortly after Obama’s coronation….I fell in love instantly! What a great influence he has had on the Conservative Movement!
There is one description I have heard over and over again today, used to describe him “A Happy Warrior”! Prayers to his family and friends! May God Bless his soul!
Let us continue the “Happy Warrior’s” fight!!!!!!!!!
Our Brother in Arms, Andrew Breitbart, was the man who carried the Battle Flag of Truth into The War Against The Complex. His unexpected and devastating passing, will not be forgotten, ever.
And when people ask me: Who was Breitbart?,I would simply reply: he was a man who could look himself in the mirror every night and know he gave everything of himself each day, every day, and then sleep very well…
Rest in Peace, Andrew
My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
The Right has been fracturing lately. The death of Andrew Breitbart reminds us of how few strong voices we have speaking for us. It reminds us that “We must all hang together, or we shall surely hang separately.” I hope that many of the bright lights of the Conservative movement are able to attend Andrew’s memorial, and that the occasion can become one of healing, and mutual rebuilding of bridges. Now we mourn, but soon it will be time to pick up our packs and carry on. We are in a war for the survival of this country, and we need all of our generals working together.
He was the bouncer among the drunken mass of koolaid drinkers. I loved that man and was greatly inspired by him. Tammy, please be comforted by our prayers for his family and for you. I appreciate how honest you and he both were and are. Thank you for bringing him to us as often as you could.
He was on Piers Morgan just two nights ago, with Michael Reagan. Piers Morgan commented on how well and healthy he looked. Oh my goodness, how can this be? I can’t believe he’s gone. What a loss for the conservative movement, for this political season, for his fans and employees. But of course, mostly it is sad for his family. His widow and 4 young children, I’m so sad for your loss. Andrew Breitbart, 1969-2012. Rest in Peace my man.
This hurts in so many ways. I grieve for his loss, and my thoughts are with his family. Andrew Breitbart went to war. He fought for all of us, though it is a different sort of war. Let us carry it on in his place.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
His face shine upon you.
The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Go with God, Mr. Breitbart
As Tammy always says, tomorrow is not promised. You were an inspiration and a fine example of how a conservative should fight and be openly passionate. Thank you so very much for all that you have done.
The only colsolation is that if a fascist-progressive-libtard ever DOES get into heaven, Andrew will already be there to kick his a$$. HOO-YAH!
How would that be possible? Vampires have no soul.
The only colsolation is that if a fascist-progressive-libtard ever DOES get into heaven, Andrew will already be there to kick his a$$. HOO-YAH!
Requescat im pacem, bro.
Today has been a weird day. Andrew Breitbart drops dead, Sheriff Arpaio drops a bombshell about the long form birth certificate, and the bomb squad has to drop by Rush Limbaugh’s house.
I have been crying all day for a man I never met. My passion is now politics. Seeing my country falling apart snapped me out of complacency. I have my favorites. My daily political diet consists of Tammy, Mark Levin, and news from the Breitbart Big sites. I might supplement from other sources like Drudge Report, or watch a little Fox News, and read some Conservative magazines like American Thinker, National Review and others. I also read a lot of Zero Hedge and Karl Denninger of Market Ticker. But my basic diet is Tammy, Levin, and Breitbart. Coincidentally, they were also the three who were in The Undefeated. No wonder I had a natural affinity for them as a Palinista.
I loved Breitbart’s book Righteous Indignation; Excuse Me While I Save The World. Oh Andrew, the spirit was willing, the spirit was a lion ready to roar in the enemy’s den. Unfortunately, the flesh was weak. Andrew was 43 and I turn 40 in 3 weeks. We could have gone to high school together. We had the same popular culture experience although I rarely flirted with Liberalism, even in my political naivete. Of course, I was growing up in Texas and not the West Coast. I was always very Conservative socially and an Evangelical Christian. Still, we knew the same music, movies, jokes, history. I, too, have 4 young children.
My kneejerk reaction to the news of his death was that Obama or his operatives did it. Obama is morally capable of such an act and has all of the technology at his disposal. We all gleefully heard the news of Andrew’s October surprise videos of Obama. Our happy warrior was leading us out to battle again. But conspiracy theories are just that. I soon hear Sean Hannity say that Andrew had heart problems last year. Uh-oh. Perhaps my desire to attribute his death to some extraordinary means might just reflect my own sense of mortality. People my age don’t drop from heart attacks, do they? But they do, even if they have four little kids relying on them. Maybe I just want find a bad guy to blame for a bad thing.
But part of being a Conservative is facing reality rather than a fairytale. Andrew had been in bad health. He put in 20 hour work days in a stressful field. Even when you relish the fight, you are running all that adrenaline and cortisol in your system.
Our country is in such serious peril. Even the best case scenario is going to require enormous economic contraction while we reset. The levels of addictive spending we have reached will touch every one of us when that faucet is turned off. Our culture itself needs to be reinvigorated with a new thrift, morality, and productivity. We are at the tipping point and must tip back quickly or be lost forever. Even with our love for individual liberty, we must temper ourselves with personal responsibility. Andrew understood this was a culture war. It was not about abortion or gay marriage. Andrew and I even disagreed on these issues. No, we must reseed the American ideal back into our consciousness. Education, entertainment, and media have all been engulfed with anti-Americanism. Culture is indeed upstream of politics and we are locked in a battle to the death. Andrew wasn’t just our happy warrior, he was indeed a General in this war. We needed him. We are all unique but God reached down and blessed Andrew with something a little extra special. I fear for our future.
Andrew Breitbart was such a valuable asset to our side and we needed him now more than ever. But we must follow his example and fight the good fight. He is irreplaceable but we have our own depths of abilities that we must plumb. So I weep for the loss of Andrew, and in fear for our noble cause, and for the future of our country. But the tears will dry soon and the memories turn bittersweet. Where are my cleats? We have some ass to kick.
Andrew swam upstream in a river of hate, day in day out. The grueling hours he put in each week, plus dealing with all of the evil of the left would surely test the body, mind, and spirit of the most healthy and fit individual. Hate is a poison. Even though he delighted in deflecting it, some amount of hate must have seeped into his heart and done some damage. Especially when he would get back stabbed from people supposedly from his own side. That must of hurt the most:(
He must of had the weight of the conservative cause, if not the world on his shoulders and yet he pushed on and got big results every time. I kind of liken him to John Henry. He just kept hammering away until one moment his heart stopped. Job more then well done Mr. Breitbart!! What a great man you were. What a wonderful spirit you are. May you inspire a thousand more like you to tear down the GOP establishment, defeat BO, and take back our country!
Andrew Breitbart lived his life with much fervor and at an unrelenting pace. It’s almost as IF he knew that he had to accomplish much in a short period of time. He knew his purpose on this earth and to that end worked tirelessly for the conservative movement in taking our country back. He showed us what needs to be done. He was one man who accomplished so much! It is going to take all of us TOGETHER to take down the Left. Tammy mentioned today that the world felt safer with Andrew in it. I feel that way as well, but we are ALL Andrew Breitbart. We will carry on!
Tammy, I am so sorry for your loss. The live show today touched all of our hearts. We are TAMily, and we have your back TAmmy.
I know everyone else has already said it, but – what an in credible L O S S. Praying for his family and friends.
I lost my hero today. This is absolutely gut-wrenching. I am so sad for Andrew’s family to have lost such a courageous, kind-hearted, decent man who was working so hard to give us and his children a more decent world to live in.
At sometime over the past few years, I remember Andrew using the expression “Walk Toward the Fire”. It’s on my refrigerator and I often draw strength from it. Thank you, Andrew.
My deepest condolences to the entire Breitbart family. Thank you for sharing him with us. May God allow you to feel Andrew’s love always and may He take the pain of his passing from you and replace it with warm, loving memories of a great man–a man you will be with again in the Afterlife. I’m sure God is enjoying Andrew’s company already.
And warmest wishes to you, Tammy, on your personal loss. The loss of a good, decent person is most felt by another good, decent person.
I lost my hero today. But I’m lucky–I still have my heroine.
So many people have posted such wonderful things – all of you who’ve posted – it seems almost superfluous to say anything more. But I’ll try.
Dittoes to all who offered prayers for his widow and their four children. Dittoes to the prayers for those who read him, those who watched him, and those who knew him – from peripherally to personally.
And the one that first came to mind, was our host(ess).
My first reaction to reading about Andrew’s death was shock…my second reaction…was unrepeatable in a family forum (for what I imagined was the real cause)…my third was worry for Tammy, and if anyone would be there for her when she found out.
To digress a minute, I’ve shared a few times my story of the day President Reagan died, in 2004…it was on a Saturday, the same day as her weekly live show here in Los Angeles on KABC 790. I had recently started listening to Tammy then, had heard but never seen her, and was glad she was on our side. The news broke about 12pm PDT, her 3 hour show started at 4pm PST. I’d never realized how much she grew to admire President Reagan after her conversion until she mentioned it in her opening monologue…
She seemed ok until she started reading his farewell letter from 1994…at a certain point, she stopped to collect herself (as today)…she started again…or tried to, and was so moved that she took an early station break. Apologizing to the audience first (like today).
My shock ended at that point, and I lost it…in my car….just the thought of it now makes me tear up. But I digress.
Move to today, and my first thought was, we knew President Reagan was in the twilight of his life, had said so himself, and when he finally passed, he was 93. Andrew was 43. 43. Born on February 1, the same birthday as my father…same birth year as me. No one expected this…
And so one of my first thoughts was, today is going to be a REAL aloe tissue show…especially for the host…and I was just hoping someone could be with her to comfort her when she found out. Like with Reagan, I was doing ok…mostly in shock…until she played the music, and then she spoke, and needed the interview replay time to compose.
And I lost it here at MY “Shack”…
Tammy, if you see this, please know you have (and had) absolutely no reason to apologize for crying on the air…many of us TAMs, if I might be so bold, stayed with you and became your army because you are so real. You don’t, to use your phrase, “bullsh” us…you laugh with us…probably sometimes AT us…you share with us, you cry with us…and having listened to you for 8 years, and most recently on the “Commando” show, I can speak for my fellow TAMs in saying that when we all say “best wishes”, “condolences”, “hugs”, “sorry for your loss”, we meant it.
So much for “just a few words”! Maybe I have some Scots-Irish in my history…
Don’t know how to end this except to say THANK YOU again for Thursday’s show, for being real with us, and giving us all a place to be, and breathe, and grieve, and eventually, dance. xoxoxo
~Christian
P.S. As of Casual Dumb Bastard Furkel Free Friday, 3/2/12, 249 days till we win one for America and fire this administration.
Upon reflection, this poem, “First Fig”, by Edna St. Vincent Millay, touches to the heart of the matter.
My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—
It gives a lovely light!
Ok, now I have some time I can do this Right.
Andrew was an inspiration, going after people that the mainstream media wouldn’t touch… People they actively avoided reporting on and incidents they actively covered by their lack of “interest”.
He crushed ACORN with a little help from someone willing to go in undercover, he smacked the Weiner (excuse the levity, I couldn’t help it) when no one wanted to admit that the Weiner had done Anything. He was a driving force in getting under the left’s collective skins and making them squirm KNOWING that he could and would dig out that dirt they try so hard to hide. And we loved him for it.
When I heard, I have to admit that my first thought was not for he and his family, but for his recent announcement that he had the Dirt on the DB in the form of Video from Obama’s College days and that it was going to Break Obama. My first thought was that I hoped that Someone Somewhere knew where that was. I’m not usually so “callous” or calculating, but I do tend to “switch off” for a bit when my system gets a hard shock. Part of the reason I’m good at my job, but I digress.
Andrew, you are already missed. I pray for your passage and the comfort of your family in this time of sorrow and I know that you will move on, as you have learned all that you needed. I hope your legacy spawns a dozen just like you and that your fervor spreads like fire through stubble.
May we all mourn and celebrate you together. Farewell Sir.
Let us close ranks and move forward. There is nothing else to do. Fear not.
Rest in peace Andrew and may we continue with the fight which you selflessly immersed yourself. I found it outrageous but expected that CBS news spent several minutes memorializing a singer from the made-for-TV fake “Monkees” band but not a word about Andrew, a real life historical person-of-note and warrior for freedom.
What can you say? How do you pay tribute to someone that was larger than life? How do you replace the irreplaceable? Who will keep the scales balanced now that Andrew Breitbart is gone? One man, yet so many questions.
It’s been a strange, somber week for me personally. I lost two old college/radio friends this week, one to a stroke and the other to liver failure. Guys MY age. Lost a music icon and personal hero (do not knock the Davy, he was a good, gracious, beloved man, too…it’s not HIS fault that the media sucks). Then this happened.
One thing that has been made all the more obvious to me right now is that it is of utmost importance to treat every new day like a GIFT because you never know what could happen. Also – do not waste an opportunity to let someone know how you feel about them. You don’t want to wake up one day and realize that you don’t have the chance anymore.
So true PeteRFNY!
I am sorry for the loss of your college friends. And, I was also saddened & surprised to learn of Davy Jones’ death. My siblings & I loved the re-runs – and music – of the Monkees when we were kids, and particularly Davy Jones. I think I need to break-out my Monkees Greatest Hits CD now – actually, I’d been thinking of that CD recently & wanting to take a listen again.
Such shocking & sad news yesterday. I have basically been in awe of Andrew Breitbart, his courage & tenacity, since I first heard of him & his work. My prayers go out to his family & friends. Tammy, I am also sorry for your loss, as I know you felt a real “kinship” with him due to your both coming from the left and now being brave voices for the right. In fact, I feel like I “know” him more because of listening to your show.
On a personal level, it is also quite sad because it seems similar to the sudden & unexpected loss of my dad in Nov. 2010. My dad was over 20 years older than Andrew, but of my 2 parents, he was always the healthy one; thought he’d live to old-age, but he went out for his run one morning and did not come back. Similarly, he collapsed in the street & when help arrived, nothing could be done. Such an abrupt & unexpected end to a loved one’s life leaves you feeling as though you’ve been socked in the stomach. But now, I can say I am thankful that he did not suffer for long. I guess folks like my dad & Andrew Breitbart were able to do the things they wanted & needed to do right up till the end. Thank God for the time we had with them. Thank you Mr. Breitbart for inspiring us to stand up for what is right & do what we can to preserve this great nation! – Rest in peace.
It was fun to see the left get hopping mad at Andrew. Like a kid he loved kicking over the rocks where they hid – and then shinning a huge flashlight on them.
Thanks Andrew and Rest in Peace.
RIP Andrew, and may your work carry on. He was such a powerful voice and motivator. A note to those – take heed of your health and any warning signs.
I got the news from a Yahoo alert, I love Andrew and everything to stood for. For me this tragedy is a rallying call, take nothing for granted, and have passion in all you do. I listen to Tammy on my iPod and have never gotten into the chat room, I will change that next week. I can’t imagine a day without Tammy and my heart is breaking for her and her loss. I remember a when TAMS gave her a money bomb and he talked to Tammy, they were soul mates. It grieves me to think of such a person of significance leaving us at only 43, I’m 52 it does give you pause, Tammy is spot on, when she mentions that today may be the last day of our earthly life’s, make it count for something. Dear Tammy we all LOVE you and will have you in our prayers, and maybe this may just be the fire that gets that SOB out of the White House, pardon the language. In his memory I will do what ever I can to make that a reality. Andrew is probably hanging with Jesus and discussing the issues of the day. God Bless his family, friends, Tammy, and us for losing a friend and mentor…
I can’t believe we lost our *Angel Warrior*……he touched my heart, can’t even imagine what his family is going through, God please comfort them. I will never forget the WI speech with Gov Palin, the whole thing brought tears streaming down my face and was so inspired and hopeful. He touched so many and I’m sure we will see another rise up for Andrew, to honor him, he was that respected. Tammy you have the same affect, you stand in the truth like he did and that’s what is so appreciated and craved in our country. For so many years we’ve been degraded and maligned that when someone takes that stand we give them our all. It’s sad our candidates won’t do this, it tells us so much. Take care TAM’s, stay safe and well and God bless you all. I will miss you *Angel Warrior*
Our very own Patton has ben called to others duties, but we will continue to fight against and expose the evil Andrew worked so fearlessly at. God Bless his soul and comfort to his family.
I finally had a chance to listen to Tammy’s podcast from March 1st (the day of Andrew’s passing). I understand it–but, I discovered I don’t like it because I’ve never heard it before: Tammy crying.
I mean, Tammy is my Xena: Warrior Princess. At most, the only “crying” she’s supposed to be doing is that famous war cry!
Well, I suppose it’s understandable. I did some crying myself today. But, no more! Onward and upward! We will take up his cause! 🙂
I am devastated and Tammy I am so sorry for the loss of your personal friend. As always, you lead us into putting things into perspective despite your own pain. Thank you so much for being there during this unthinkable loss of our Champion. Andrew is the age of my oldest son who returned from Iraq this fall. This blog sent me into another flood of tears. http://thespeechatimeforchoosing.wordpress.com/2012/03/03/andrew-breitbarts-postcard-to-our-troops/
God Bless Andrew, his family, and you Tammy.
The mad-dog left is celebrating our friend’s, mentor, hero and advocates passing. Hey Lefties, learn a lesson from history. Dec 7, 1941, was got hurt really bad at Pearl Harbor, lost over 3,000 patriots, the story behind the story is that Yamamoto was against the attack, he had spend time in the States and know what we could do if we got “motivated”. Tojo over ruled him and that Day of Infamy took place, it woke a sleeping giant, Japan never had a chance and we were fighting on two fronts and we still kicked their ass. Well, mad-dogs do your little BS celebration dance, we are preparing to kick your ass as well. Andrew was a true patriot and will be missed, however, his passing has lit a fire that will not go out until the traitor in the White House is relegated to the dust bin of history…
I am deeply saddened by Andrew’s death, having just listened to “Righteous Indignation” a month or so ago, and especially after seeing his CPAC speech. He, like Tammy, was part of the glue keeping California from falling off into the Pacific, and will be missed. I pray for his family that they find peace in knowing that this “happy warrior” has countless friends who really appreciated his efforts on behalf of this nation.
Don’t know if this has been posted yet(if so then here’s a bump. This is the Red Eye dedicated to AB.
http://www.youtube.com/user/HDContentdump03
Thanks, KCBob4Tam! I really wanted to see this.
Thanks so much, KCBob4Tam. Much appreciated!
I have watched the above movie trailer of “Hating Breitbart” shown at CPAC several times. WOW, Andrew Breitbart was fearless and in their face! So awesome!
I love Andrew, the best tribute we can give back to this fearless soul is to take that Bastard out of the White House and into the Poor House, Is that not his mission for the rest of us, screw him and all he stands for. WE LOVE YOU TAMMY, AND WE ALSO LOVE SYDNEY AND oh gosh I forgot your cat’s name, well, we LOVE HIM/HER TOO…