LEN DOWNIE RETIRES FROM THE WASHINGTON POST

The Politico's Michael Calderone says that Leonard Downie, Jr. announced today that he is stepping down as executive editor of the Washington Post. The move had largely been expected, as reports that a search for his replacement was already underway had been circulating through town for several weeks. City Desk rightfully calls the announcement hardly news, but points out that the quick timeframe for his departure is something of a bit of a surprise: Downie will be gone on Sept. 8, well before the November elections. Howard Kurtz, naturally, has the full Downie legacy story.