The temporary absence of New York Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet to contend with a malignant tumor on his kidney highlighted a power vacuum atop the Gray Lady.
Baquet had not named a No. 2 editor since he took control a month ago.
A change in the top newsroom job was made May 14 after Publisher Arthur Sulzberger Jr. clashed with and then fired Jill Abramson.
The three most senior editors after Baquet are all deputy managing editors — and only one, former business editor Larry Ingrassia, has any experience running a news department.
Tom Bodkin is a design deputy ME and Janet Elder is involved in administration.
In the first few days of Baquet’s absence, the meetings were run by Susan Chira and Matthew Purdy, who are both assistant managing editors — one rung down from the deputies.
Chira is seen as the insider with the best shot at taking over as Baquet’s No. 2, but some think the delay shows Baquet wanted to make a search far and wide — and was seriously looking outside.