Departing WSJ reporter to colleagues: You’re at the top of your craft

Wall Street Journal reporter Michael Crittenden said goodbye to his colleagues Friday in the following message:

Folks,

Since I’m going to have to get used to reporters ignoring my emails, I’ll keep this relatively short in the hope I can maintain your attention for a minute or two. Like everyone who leaves this place, I depart knowing I’ve been lucky enough to work with a damn amazing group of people who truly are at the top of their craft. More importantly, you’re great people who I’m fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know and call friends.

During my 7.5 years here I’ve had the opportunity to cover a world-shaking financial crisis, talk foreclosures with Anne Hathaway, write about frozen polar bears, interview a burlesque dancer named Midnight Martini about Obama’s 2008 convention acceptance speech, and sit on the quay sipping pastis in Marseille in the name of covering a G7 conference. Also, so, so many in Capitol Hill hallways communing with fellow reporters, staff and lawmakers.

The WSJ and all of you gave me the opportunity to be part of world-class journalism and it’s been a damn fun run. I can’t wait to see what you guys produce in the coming weeks, months, etc. You’re the best at what you do.

As the cowboy-poet Robert Earl Keen once said, “The road goes on forever, but the party never ends.” To that end, I look forward to bending an elbow and hoisting a pint with all of you in the future.

Crittenden is joining the public policy group Mercury.