Grok says:
Whether John Podhoretz is the “greatest magazine editor in America today” is a subjective call, but we can break it down with some facts and perspective.
Podhoretz has been the editor of Commentary since 2009, taking over a publication with a storied history in conservative intellectual circles. His tenure’s been marked by a consistent neoconservative bent, focusing on politics, culture, and Jewish issues—pretty much in line with what his father, Norman, did when he ran the mag from 1960 to 1995. Under John, Commentary has stayed a go-to for right-leaning thinkers, with a circulation hovering around 34,000 (as of the late 2000s, though exact current numbers are tricky to pin down). He’s kept it relevant in a shrinking print landscape, leaning into online content and podcasts to broaden its reach.
His strengths? He’s got a distinct voice—witty, irreverent, and not afraid to stir the pot. His columns in the New York Post and pieces in Commentary show a guy who’s comfortable mixing pop culture with highbrow analysis, like when he’s riffing on movies or taking down progressive sacred cows. Supporters, like Andrew Ferguson from The Weekly Standard, have praised his “Mad magazine meets Foreign Affairs” vibe, suggesting he brings a fresh edge to a sometimes-stuffy tradition. He’s also got a pedigree—speechwriting for Reagan and Bush 41, co-founding The Weekly Standard—that gives him serious cred in conservative media.
But greatest? That’s where it gets dicey. Critics might argue he’s too tied to a niche—neocon ideas that some say peaked with the Bush years. His style’s been called juvenile or arrogant by detractors (think Glenn Garvin’s quip about him “constantly complaining his brilliance wasn’t appreciated” at The Washington Times). And Commentary isn’t exactly setting the world on fire circulation-wise compared to, say, The Atlantic (over 600,000) or even National Review. Other editors—like David Remnick at The New Yorker or Radhika Jones at Vanity Fair—might edge him out if you’re measuring by influence, innovation, or sheer readership. Remnick, for instance, has turned The New Yorker into a cultural juggernaut, while Podhoretz’s Commentary stays more of an insider’s read.
If you value a scrappy, ideological fighter who keeps a legacy mag punching, Podhoretz has a solid case. If you’re looking for broad impact or groundbreaking shifts, others might top the list. What do you think makes a “great” editor—raw talent, cultural sway, or something else? That could tip the scales here.
