Raspberry’s Retirement Big Boon to Robinson

By Harry Jaffe

William Raspberry retires—Long Live Gene Robinson!

Vernon and Ann Jordan threw an A-list dinner party—peppered with the Washington Post elite—at their Massachusetts Heights home for departed Post columnist Bill Raspberry. But the subtext of the evening was Gene Robinson, who some see as Raspberry’s successor.

Among the Post brass were publisher Bo Jones, editorial-page editor Fred Hiatt, executive editor Len Downie, Style editor Deb Heard, and Metro columnist Courtland Milloy.

No company chief Don Graham. No Phil Bennett, the managing editor.

The guests sipped drinks on the terrace overlooking the pool; waiters served many courses—including beef tenderloin—in the main dining room.

Raspberry, whose last column ran in December, told the gathering that it was easier for him to leave his column after 39 years now that younger columnists have emerged—like Gene Robinson.

But Robinson is no Bill Raspberry, the Post’s first African-American columnist. Raspberry wrote often on social and educational issues, often from a black perspective. Robinson’s columns range around the globe, in geography and subject matter—and his perspective is rarely racial.

But the loss of Raspberry is Robinson’s gain. The number of papers that buy Robinson’s column jumped from 40 to 138 when Raspberry’s stopped. Says Alan Shearer of the Washington Post Writers Group: “The lion’s share of editors who had Raspberry switched to Gene.”

At the Jordan party, Raspberry toasted Robinson; next time Robinson might want to return the favor.

Find A ...
Find A Restaurant







  1. Only show Delivery
    Only show Kid Friendly
    Only show Late Night
    Only show Party Space
    Only show Weekend Brunch
Find Events




Find A Happy Hour





  1. search_finda.gif
Find A Spa




  1. search_finda.gif
Find a Home





  1. search_finda.gif
  2. Powered by  
Find A Hotel


  1.   


  2. Reviewed by Washingtonian
  3. Kid Friendly     Valet Parking
    Handicap Accessible    

  4. Childcare
    WiFi
    Pet Friendly
    Bar/Lounge/Dining
    Airport Shuttle
    Salon/Spa
    Swimming Pool
    Fitness Room
    On-site Drycleaning
    Meeting Rooms
    Golf
    Tennis Courts
    Game Room
  5. search_finda.gif

Can DC’s New Digital News Operations Replace the Once-Great Newspaper Bureaus?

Gone are the robust bureaus for the Los Angeles Times, Newhouse News, and other once-healthy news organizations. Digital media bureaus now are taking their places with as many reporters and plenty of swagger. more

Turkey to Go: Where to Buy Take-Out Thanksgiving Dinners

Worried about how you’re going to pull that Thanksgiving meal together by November 26? Luckily, there’s lots of ways to get a takeout turkey-day dinner so you don’t have to lift a finger in the kitchen. When ordering a turkey, keep in mind that a ten-to-12 pound turkey will feed four to six people. more