(HILLARY GROUP) Could someone please explain to me about Maureen Dowd?

[MBS]

8. You're not missing anything.

Dowd is all about trivial, cynical snark and negativity. She's particularly hard on women, but she is also hard on any public figure who is sincere and serious about trying to make a difference (Kerry, Gore and Obama have all been regular targets in addition to her long-time favorites, the Clintons).
I think of her as a high-school level "mean girl" type.
She also has this weird crush on Hollywood celebrities, especially, of course, men.
"Immature and unprofessional"- you bet!
I can't stand her.

Oh, and the other thing that's useful to know: though she's sort-of-kind-of a liberal, the rest of her family seem to be Republicans.

About once every two years or so, when she decides to be serious, she can write something worth reading. But mostly it's like this column (though I have to say that this column is a bit worse than usual).

Like you, I have also often asked the question, ". . the Times pays for this?"
Her longevity at the Times remains a mystery to me.
She does seem to be writing less often than she used to, which is a welcome trend.