Okay, I know a lot of people probably don't care, but I used to work there so I do.

Downie is probably the best currently serving newspaper editor, and I think that no matter what anybody says this is a big blow for the Post.

Downie says, "I'm ready to do this, because so much further change now needs to take place at the newspaper and Web site, and someone else should be tackling that."

I dunno. Before the Internet age, when Downie became editor, the paper was barely available outside of the Washington region. It's become one of the most powerful newspaper brands on the Internet and I think a huge reason for that is because Downie was always out there insisting on the absolute highest standards of quality.

Now, the Post is not a perfect place, and newspapers are definitely in a lot of trouble (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/23/business/media/23paper.html) but Downie's shoes will be extremely tough and maybe impossible to fill, imho.