Kevin Drum, Pioneering Political Blogger, Passes Away at 66

Kevin Drum, Influential Political Blogger, Dies at 66

Kevin Drum, a prominent voice in the center-left blogging community and a respected commentator on politics, policy, and personal stories, passed away on March 7 at the age of 66. His wife, Marian Drum, confirmed his death on his website but did not disclose the location or cause. Drum had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2014 and had recently developed pneumonia. His candid reflections on his health challenges resonated with many, demonstrating the same insightful approach he applied to complex policy issues like health care and urban planning.

A lifelong resident of Orange County, California, Drum’s geographical location set him apart from many of his contemporaries in the early days of political blogging, who often hailed from the influential Washington-Boston corridor or academic institutions. He began blogging in 2002 and quickly garnered a national following, contributing to the formation of what became known as the liberal blogosphere. This community embraced a wide array of left-leaning thinkers, all focused more on substantive policy discussions rather than political maneuvering.

Drum’s versatility as a writer allowed him to tackle numerous topics from various angles; he was equally comfortable being observational and casually humorous as he was rigorously analytical. This diverse style earned him praise and set him apart within the often fragmented blogging scene. Clara Jeffery, editor-in-chief of Mother Jones, reflected, “He was just able to unpack very complicated — particularly economically complicated — stories in an immensely readable way.” Paul Glastris, editor of Washington Monthly, acknowledged Drum’s ability to synthesize perspectives from different ideological camps, commenting, “He was able to absorb and summarize and comment on what all of those different camps were saying with a judiciousness and fair-mindedness that a lot of the others lacked.”

In 2004, Drum joined Washington Monthly and later became a significant contributor to Mother Jones, where he didn’t just write blog posts but also authored in-depth reported pieces. His influential 2013 article examined the connection between childhood exposure to lead in gasoline and paint and the crime wave of the late 20th century. He argued that as lead was phased out, both health outcomes and crime rates improved, reflecting his ability to distill complex subjects into accessible narratives.

Drum was also known for fostering a vibrant comments section, which functioned as a community hub for discussion before the rise of social media. Unlike many other blogs of the time, which sometimes embraced toxic partisanship, Drum cultivated a healthy atmosphere of civility and respect, both in his writing and in his moderation of comments.

He is perhaps best remembered for his introduction of Friday cat blogging. Inspired during a moment of reflection, he shared a photo of his cat, Inkblot, sitting leisurely and seemingly untouched by the world’s problems. His whimsical act soon evolved into a weekly tradition, encouraging other bloggers to join in, demonstrating his unique ability to balance serious discourse with light-heartedness.

Drum was born on October 19, 1958, in Long Beach, California, and raised in Garden Grove. His father, Dale Drum, was a professor at California State University, Long Beach, who began a biography of the Danish film director Carl Theodor Dreyer, which was completed and published posthumously by Drum’s mother, Jean. Drum initially attended the California Institute of Technology but transferred to California State University, Long Beach, where he studied journalism and contributed to the student newspaper. After graduating in 1981, he faced a challenging job market in journalism, leading him to work at RadioShack and later in marketing for technology companies.

Married to Marian Riegel since 1993, Drum is survived by his wife, a sister named Karen, and his beloved cats, Hilbert and Charlie. At Mother Jones, Drum played a vital role in increasing online readership yet consistently refused pay raises, advocating instead for funding to support the magazine’s fellowship program.

In 2014, when he publicly revealed his cancer diagnosis, he approached the situation with characteristic humor, quipping about the implications of his health challenges. While the liberal blogosphere has shifted further left in recent years, Drum’s tendency towards centrist perspectives occasionally put him at odds with younger staff members at Mother Jones, especially in discussions surrounding controversial topics.

Despite the occasional backlash, Drum remained unfazed, taking ideas seriously while maintaining a lighthearted demeanor. He continued contributing to Mother Jones until 2021, when he launched his own blog, Jabberwocking, marking a return to his blogging roots. He believed that blogs could exist alongside traditional journalism without conforming to its restrictions, stating in 2004, “If you try to put the rules of mainstream journalism onto blogs, you end up sucking the life out of them.”

Kevin Drum’s death marks the end of an era for many who appreciated his insights, humor, and the respect he instilled in online discourse. His influence on blogging and political commentary will be remembered by readers and writers alike.