Are The National Review's Days Numbered?

The right-wing magazine founded decades ago by the late William F. Buckley, the National Review, may have the fight of its life in a defamation lawsuit.  The lawsuit, brought by climatologist Dr. Michael Mann, claims that the National Review and its wingnut blogger Mark Steyn defamed Dr. Mann, comparing him to a child molester and alleging that he manipulated climate data in his research.  (Since the lawsuit was brought, National Review and Steyn have parted company).  Steyn, a former drama critic with no scientific credentials, is well-loved among the radical right for his extremely nasty commentary.

Years ago, William F. Buckley "excommunicated" the extreme right from the conservative movement, including the John Birch Society.  He may have sensed then that the conservative movement was in danger of being captured by the unhinged on the far right.  He was 50 years too soon.