Is Bill Keller Grooming His NYT Replacement?

Is this the man being prepped to be Bill Keller’s heir at the New York Times? It certainly sounds that way. The Observer‘s John Koblin (also, of the newly relaunched Media Mob!) take’s a look at the overhaul going on at the Times national desk and speculates that all the change (and quick change at that) offers a solid glimpse at who may in line to take Keller’s spot as managing editor, namely, new national desk editor Rick Berke.

Still a week away from filling the editor’s desk, Mr. Berke has already been given greater latitude than most new department heads, due to his close relationship with Bill Keller and Jill Abramson, sources said. Mr. Berke was most recently The Times’ assistant managing editor. Among other jobs, he was the traffic cop for the front page.*Indeed, it’s widely believed that Mr. Berke’s move to the national desk means he is being groomed for a bigger job. In less than four years, Mr. Keller will turn 65, the mandatory retirement age for executive editor.

Ms. Abramson is among a very short list of candidates to replace Mr. Keller. Mr. Berke, who worked alongside Ms. Abramson in Washington for more than a year when she was the bureau chief, is among a very short list of candidates who could work alongside her again as managing editor.“He needs this experience to be Jill’s number two,” said one source.With the national desk in his control now, Mr. Berke is essentially going back to school to get the degree he’s never had.

Interesting that the mandatory retirement age for an executive editor is 65, that seems like a rule that has seen its day come and go. Also, Bill Keller looks much younger than he is! One last also: I’m very glad to see the return of Media Mob…I never quiet understood why it was removed in the first place, but great that it’s back.