Andrew Breitbart, noted conservative publisher and author, dead at 43

Andrew Breitbart, the noted conservative Internet publisher and author, has died. He was 43.

The Los Angeles Coroner's Office confirmed to ABC News Radio that Breitbart died shortly after midnight at UCLA Medical Center.

The following statement was posted on Breitbart's website today:

"With a terrible feeling of pain and loss we announce the passing of Andrew Breitbart. We have lost a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a dear friend, a patriot and a happy warrior.

Andrew lived boldly, so that we more timid souls would dare to live freely and fully, and fight for the fragile liberty he showed us how to love.

Three years ago, I was mostly a behind-the-scenes guy who linked to stuff on a very popular website. I always wondered what it would be like to enter the public realm to fight for what I believe in. I've lost friends, perhaps dozens. But I've gained hundreds, thousands—who knows?—of allies. At the end of the day, I can look at myself in the mirror, and I sleep very well at night.'

Andrew is at rest, yet the happy warrior lives on, in each of us."

A conservative blogger and journalist, Breitbart helped launch the Huffington Post and was an editor at the Drudge Report.

He also founded his own news network, acting as the publisher of several news websites including Breitbart.com, Breitbart.tv, Big Hollywood, Big Government, Big Journalism and Big Peace.

In many ways he demonstrated that modern technology allows small journalist to compete, and often out-compete, major news corporations.  Called everything from citizen journalist to muckrackers, today’s online publishers and bloggers have reshaped the way information and opinions are shared.  Gone are the corporate gate-keepers that are being replaced as the consumers choses from hundreds-of-thousands of sources.  In large part the success of new media is in its ability to connect with niche audiences.  Sometimes called hyper-local or hyper-niche markets.

From the Huffington Post, to Drudge, to a series of his own web-based publication, Andrew Breitbart has lead the way for many in both process and tenor.  One of the best tributes to his work may be this Cato interview done with the editor of Big Government in 2009 called The New Muckrakers.  Listen in to understand Breitbart’s place in American journalism.