The reasons for Lachlan's departure are mysterious although there are rumors of a falling out between father and son over business matters and of Lachlan's distaste for living in New York. In his resignation statement, Lachlan states that, "I look forward to returning home to Australia," which is curious because he was born in London and raised in the United States. He has worked extensively in his father's home country, is married to an Australian model and has a young son, but resignations to "spend more time with the family" are always suspect.

In a New York Times article from December of 2003, David A. Kirkpatrick contrasted the Brothers Murdoch:

In the immediate future, no significant changes are predicted. Rupert Murdoch is only 74 years old and has clearly stated that he has no plans to retire. Lachlan Murdoch's departure solidifies the power of Peter Chernin, the 52-year-old president and CEO of News Corp. Concerns over James' business acumen and nepotistic heritage have largely been allayed by his success with News Corp.'s Asian satellite TV service and in his current role as head of British Sky Broadcasting. James is considered much too young and inexperienced to take over the company, although he is building his skills at BSkyB and will doubtlessly play a growing role at News Corp before taking over in 10 to 20 years.

While this provides little near-term hope for us on the left, the prospect of Fox News transitioning from a Republican yellow journalism machine into a Democratic propaganda outlet is enticing. Fox News Channel's ratings have been spiriling downward for some time, and the New York Post still loses money, despite Lachlan's success in increasing circulation by more than 40% since 2000. As more of the country awakens to the deceptions of the Right, perhaps the ascendancy of Progressive ideas would mean that the money would move from Conservative rhetoric to Progressive rhetoric. It would be ironic if a media empire that makes its money off exploitive entertainment while misdirecting class rage onto racism and homophobia would suddenly find gold in class rage directed at (gasp) class inequity.

Hannity, O'Reilly, Coulter and Ailes will undoubtedly be retired to their gated estates if/when James Murdoch becomes head of News Corp. But it would be fascinating to see them use their considerable rhetorical skills to propagate ideas that actually mattered.