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Murdoch convinced Schiff that he would retain the paper's liberal editorial stance, as well as that policy's principal architect, James Wechsler. Post employees last week were generally optimistic about Murdoch. "He can't make the paper any worse," said one reporter. "It has to get better." The staff also hopes that Murdoch will be willing to spend the vast sums necessary to automate the Post's outdated production system (a task that would probably involve buying off the paper's tough unions), expand the paper's weak suburban distribution and fatten the editorial budget.
Schiff, who under the purchase agreement will remain as a consultant for five years, is thinking about writing a column for the paper but otherwise will not discuss her plans. Murdoch is vague about his, but promises no earthquakes. "I don't plan any major changes in the character of the paper," he told TIME. "Newspapers must live for the particular community they serve. I publish the Sun in London for London. I would never do something like that in New York. We plan to widen and strengthen the Post, and to add to the editorial staff. But our first job is to make the paper viable. I wouldn't be buying the Post if I didn't think I could do it."