http://twitter.com/#!/jaketapper/status/288484087121997824

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Richard Ben Cramer, author of “What It Takes: The Way to the White House,” as well as books on Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams, has died of lung cancer at the age of 62. Journalists who were inspired in their careers by Cramer’s writing were among those to remember him as a giant.

Richard Ben Cramer, a man who changed political reporting forever, has passed away. A huge loss for anyone who cares about journalism.

— The Fix (@TheFix) January 8, 2013

Awful news about the death of Richard Ben Cramer. “What It Takes” is my favorite book on politics. Period. #RIP

— Henry J. Gomez (@HenryJGomez) January 8, 2013

RIP #RichardBenCramer, a truly superb journalist, as this excerpt only begins to suggest: tinyurl.com/bzzv9cg

— Kurt Loder (@kurt_loder) January 8, 2013

I read “What It Takes” as a college student. And again before 2012 campaign. Thanks for the inspiration, Richard Ben Cramer.

— JaredHalpern (@JaredHalpern) January 8, 2013

RIP Richard Ben Cramer, one of the greatest journalists of my lifetime

— Will Bunch (@Will_Bunch) January 8, 2013

Damn. A giant. And a hero of mine. RIP RT @will_bunch: RIP Richard Ben Cramer, one of the greatest journalists of my lifetime

— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) January 8, 2013

Was re-reading Richard Ben Cramer on Joe Biden’s ill-fated 1988 presidential run the other day. Just fantastic stuff.

— Toby Harnden (@tobyharnden) January 8, 2013

Saddened to hear of Richard Ben Cramer’s passing.He was a giant and 140 characters won’t do it.

— jmartpolitico (@jmartpolitico) January 8, 2013

If you want to read the story every sportswriter aspires to write, indulge in this masterpiece from Richard Ben Cramer: bit.ly/WpIcJl

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 8, 2013

Sad news, the passing of Richard Ben Cramer. What It Takes has a place of honor on my desk at NPR. His DiMaggio book excellent as well.

— Brian Naylor (@brinaylor) January 8, 2013

Richard Ben Cramer’s What It Takes captures the voice of politicians better than anything I’ve ever read. You can hear Bob Dole as you read.

— Richard N. Haass (@RichardHaass) January 8, 2013

Richard Ben Cramer showed reporters how to write political journalism. Unfortunately, too many either forgot or never learned the lesson.

— Michael Littwin (@mike_littwin) January 8, 2013

Read more: http://twitchy.com/2013/01/07/what-it-takes-author-richard-ben-cramer-dies-at-62/