BRIAN MICKLETHWAIT and Ken Layne report on the damage that the New York Times’ brand has suffered. Meanwhile Randy Barnett laments Howell Raines’ resignation:

Now the paper can go back to posing as an objective arbiter of the truth rather than the spirited ideological publication it’s always been. By taking the white gloves off the Grey Lady, Raines did truth in advertising a great service. Now he’s gone and the Times gets to go back to pretending. ‘Tis a pity.

They can pretend — but that’s about all. I think it’s going to take more than a name-plate shuffle in the editorial offices to restore confidence in the Times. It will take an obvious recommitment to good, honest, reporting. And, as Andrew Sullivan and Collin Levey have both noted (see below), people are watching.