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| -Short Attention Span Theater- |
| Death of a Salesman |
| 2010-06-22 |
| Darrow "Duke" Tully, the former Arizona Republic and Phoenix Gazette publisher who faked an elaborate military career and resigned in disgrace, has died of complications from a stroke in Tampa. He was 78. Tully was publisher of The Republic and Gazette until December 1985, when he resigned after learning that his political enemies were investigating his war record. Tom Collins, Maricopa County attorney at the time, planned to have a news conference to expose Tully, who claimed to have been an Air Force combat pilot in the Korean and Vietnam wars. As publisher of the state's largest newspaper, Tully is credited with launching the political career of Sen. John McCain. He and McCain, a Navy pilot, swapped war stories and even flew planes over the desert. In reality, Tully, although a skilled pilot, had never served in the Air Force. "Duke was a smart, smart guy and a very smart businessman, but he was consumed with his need to be something that he wasn't," said Pat Murphy, who succeeded Tully as publisher. Longtime friend and employee Bill Shover said Tully's dual existence was driven by his need to win his father's approval. "He was rejected by the Air Force because he had bad vision and flat feet," said Shover, former director of public affairs for Phoenix Newspapers Inc., which owned The Republic and The Gazette during Tully's tenure. Tully's brother was killed in World War II during a training mission and his father criticized him for not becoming a war hero, Shover recalled. That's when Tully turned his sights on newspapers and was told he could curry favor with a small Indiana paper if he pretended to be a veteran. From there, Tully's stories about his military exploits escalated. Tully's media-management career spanned more than 40 years and included television, radio, newspapers and direct mail. In 1978, he became vice president, publisher and general manager of The Republic and The Gazette. The Gazette stopped printing in 1997 and The Republic was bought by Gannett Co., Inc., in 2000. "At that time, the publisher of The Arizona Republic was the strongest person in Arizona," Shover recalled. "He brought us into the 20th century, with all the technology. He was smart and he had a magnetic quality about him." After leaving Phoenix, Tully joined Wick Communications and was involved in newspaper operations in North Dakota, Montana, California and Arizona. Herman Chanen, another longtime friend, said he wants Tully to be remembered as a smart and powerful figure who shaped the Valley. "I'd like him to be remembered for being one of the most successful publishers that The Republic and Gazette ever had. He ran good papers, and they were very successful," Chanen said, adding, "He absolutely loved to fly airplanes. That was his big love and his big weakness." Attn: Mods. This SOB doesn't deserve an RIP. He claimed to be a Lieutenant Colonel combat pilot in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He claimed he had received the Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose |