Peter Lattman, the lead writer for The Wall Street Journal's new Law Blog, has this today:
"Queen of the blogosphere Ana Marie Cox is said to be handing over the reins at her spicy political blog Wonkette. David Lat, the federal prosecutor who revealed himself to the New Yorker magazine in November as the author of the popular "Underneath Their Robes" judicial blog, is expected to start blogging for the site. Lockhart Steele, managing editor of Gawker Media, which owns Wonkette, declined to comment. We hear that Lat will have a co-editor."
"...Cox's first book, Dog Days, a roman a clef about Washington society and politics, will be published this Thursday, when she'll embark on a national book tour."
Full story here: http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2006/01/02/article-iii-groupie-expected-to-become-wonkette
More info from the story: "Over the holiday weekend, several news outlets [editor's note-- this began as a New York 'Page Six' item] reported that Lat was leaving his job as an assistant U.S. Attorney in Newark, N.J. and moving to Washington D.C. His blog, "Underneath Their Robes," which temporarily shut down after the New Yorker article but is now back up again, is a spicy look at the federal judiciary written in the voice of a female spitfire named Article III Groupie, or A3G. (Article III of the U.S. Constitution established the federal judiciary.) Best known for its rankings of the "super hotties of federal judiciary" and "Bodacious Babes of the Bench," Lat's blog gained popularity with its coverage of the Supreme Court nominations of John Roberts, Harriet Miers, and Samuel Alito. In past posts, Wonkette praised "Underneath Their Robes," calling it adorably irreverent, deliciously superficial, and winkingly naughty."
As a giant fan of Ana Marie, I'm really saddened by this possible news, if Lattman's sources are accurate (which I'm guessing they are). Cox always called it as she saw it and was unflinching in her take on the Washington happenings. Here's to a good run for her -- knew it would not last forever -- and I hope she stays a visible presence in the media as a talking head. Reviews for the book have been mixed so far, but she's given some really entertaining interviews.
Now, the downside: I've read a couple of Lat's posts and am not that impressed as a replacement for Cox-- they needed more verve for the new Wonkette.
Sigh.