Death of former Drudge Report editor Andrew Breitbart echoes across the Web

The death of former Drudge Report editor Andrew Breitbart at 43 is echoing across the web.

Breitbart’s website Big Government announced his death, saying that Breitbart “passed away unexpectedly from natural causes shortly after midnight this morning in Los Angeles”.

Once the news went public, it was picked up the Twittersphere and became a globally trending topic.

A number of mainstream media outlets tweeted out news of Breitbart’s death:

REPORTS: Andrew Breitbart dead, Age 43 tpm.ly/AlY9FD

— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) March 1, 2012

Conservative commentator Andrew Breitbart has died at the age of 43. FOX News Radio’s @JaredHalpern reports:foxrad.io/44p

— FOX News Radio (@foxnewsradio) March 1, 2012

Conservative Commentator Andrew Breitbart Dead At Age 43: nyp.st/xYoaCr

— New York Post (@NewYorkPost) March 1, 2012

Most of the personal reactions on Twitter reflected respect for the work Breitbart did:

Wow, Andrew Breitbart dead at 43. Too young. RIP.

— Carman (@CarmansContacts) March 1, 2012

What a shock..Andrew Breitbart dead at the age of 43..He was a good journalist..Prayers to his family..R.I.P.

— Carmela Edwards (@cmedwards1971) March 1, 2012

The conservative movement has lost its boldest spokesman: Andrew Breitbart dead at 43. bit.ly/wM5qks He leaves behind a young family.

— Brian (@brianalmon) March 1, 2012

Even some who stood on the opposite side of the political fence to Breitbart expressed respect:

I loathed his tactics but I mourn his passing. RIP Andrew Breitbart, way too young at 43. lat.ms/wUmjkF

— Shel Holtz (@shelholtz) March 1, 2012

Others were, however, less kind:

In a very crowded field of intolerable conservative a-holes, Breitbart stood out.TPM Confirms Andrew Breitbart Dead At 43

— Jason Scott (@JasonScott2010) March 1, 2012

Andrew Breitbart dead at 43. Death by natural causes? Not a nice man, but I wont slag the dead, like he always did.

— TOOTHLESS BASTARD! (@corpshamanwhore) March 1, 2012

I’m gonna take one for the team and say it, but I think the world is better off with Andrew Breitbart dead. #Karma

— Dieri (@dieri) March 1, 2012

Big government included a tribute to Breitbart on its front page.

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.

It also included the new conclusion from Breitbart’s 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.

In addition to his work at The Drudge Report, Breitbart helped Arian Huffington launch the Huffington Post.

Image: Gage Skidmore