Ross Douthat isn’t afraid to try new things, and it’s led to a somewhat unusual trajectory in his journalism career. 

In his 20s, he became a blogger at The Atlantic, which realized it needed to expand its online reach. That caught the attention of The New York Times, which hired Douthat as an opinion columnist in 2009 when he was just 29, making him the youngest writer to hold that lofty position. 

Then, in 2025, he launched what’s become a popular podcast called “Interesting Times.” That no doubt helped him get his latest gig: as a correspondent at CBS News’ vaunted weekly news digest “60 Minutes.”

It’s an impressive résumé. Yet what I haven’t mentioned about Douthat is what's raising the most eyebrows over the announcement. 

He’s conservative. And a practicing Catholic. As an opinion writer and podcaster, he’s been open about both. And people are mad about it.

In a legacy media world dominated by liberals, CBS News' decision to hire a conservative seems like heresy.........

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