For over forty years I enjoyed endless and rarely repeated stories and recollections from Joe Cumming.
Every time he talked about Ms.Clift he spoke with a palpable admiration and respect. We all recognized and appreciate how much she has provided to help this nation grow in maturity.
I was in high school when I started watching Washington Week in Review in the early 80s. Thank you, Eleanor, for winning all of those arguments against the blowhards!
I was in high school when I started watching Washington Week in Review in the early 80s. Thank you, Eleanor, for winning all of those arguments against the blowhards!
Thank you for this thoughtful conversation. Almost 30 years ago, I interned for The McLaughlin Group for a semester. Eleanor set an example of what a professional journalist could be. She was well-spoken, always intelligent, and had something reasonable to say in response to the chaos around the table. She was also always kind to the interns. She gave me a Save the Children scarf that I still call my “Eleanor Clift” scarf.
Eleanor Clift spoke at my law school graduation (American University Washington College) in 1985. We are same age 81. She was a star on McL Report. Thanks to her, and the women of NPR, the notion that women could be leaders in all professions became more acceptable. Thank you EC!
Thanks for reading it, Sheila. You're right that Eleanor should be seen as part of the same movement that the women of NPR were part of. This seems to me to be a neglected part of recent American history. I might feel that way in part because my late mother was a pioneer in Chicago politics and took a lot of shit from male colleagues. She served as an elected commissioner of the Metropolitan Sanitary District. One day when she challenged a crooked colleague on a spending issue, he said, "Joanne, you're one of those brainless, bra-less broads who is wrecking American." I'm interested in hearing from women over 50 about their experiences in the workplace--not just sexual harassment (a story that has been better told in recent years) but old-fashioned discrimination like Eleanor experienced.
Disappointed in a lukewarm Clift. I, like you, am much more alarmed at the ability of the Republicans and their Democrat supporters in the senate to block success for the Dems on any and all issues, major or minor. We are all physically endangered by their attitude toward Covid vaccines. The Supreme Court has lost its objectivity. Our Democracy is in deep trouble.
Thank you, Eleanor, for citing the illustrative Green Lantern Theory of the Presidency, as described and criticized (below) by Ezra Klein of Vox in 2014. In this theory, it seems that Pres. Biden needs only to twist Sen. Manchin's arm hard enough to make the senator cry "uncle!" and then vote with the rest of the Democratic caucus. According to Ezra, it's not that simple, really - and the theory is responsible for many misconceptions about Washington sausage-making. https://www.vox.com/2014/5/20/5732208/the-green-lantern-theory-of-the-presidency-explained
Nice interview. I have never met Clift, but I had a good feeling about her as a person after reading your interview. Kudos to Newsweek for hiring her -- even if it took a lawsuit.
Just saw her on Ari Melber..a national treasure...plus she was in Watchmen
For over forty years I enjoyed endless and rarely repeated stories and recollections from Joe Cumming.
Every time he talked about Ms.Clift he spoke with a palpable admiration and respect. We all recognized and appreciate how much she has provided to help this nation grow in maturity.
I was in high school when I started watching Washington Week in Review in the early 80s. Thank you, Eleanor, for winning all of those arguments against the blowhards!
I was in high school when I started watching Washington Week in Review in the early 80s. Thank you, Eleanor, for winning all of those arguments against the blowhards!
Thank you for this thoughtful conversation. Almost 30 years ago, I interned for The McLaughlin Group for a semester. Eleanor set an example of what a professional journalist could be. She was well-spoken, always intelligent, and had something reasonable to say in response to the chaos around the table. She was also always kind to the interns. She gave me a Save the Children scarf that I still call my “Eleanor Clift” scarf.
Eleanor Clift spoke at my law school graduation (American University Washington College) in 1985. We are same age 81. She was a star on McL Report. Thanks to her, and the women of NPR, the notion that women could be leaders in all professions became more acceptable. Thank you EC!
Thanks for reading it, Sheila. You're right that Eleanor should be seen as part of the same movement that the women of NPR were part of. This seems to me to be a neglected part of recent American history. I might feel that way in part because my late mother was a pioneer in Chicago politics and took a lot of shit from male colleagues. She served as an elected commissioner of the Metropolitan Sanitary District. One day when she challenged a crooked colleague on a spending issue, he said, "Joanne, you're one of those brainless, bra-less broads who is wrecking American." I'm interested in hearing from women over 50 about their experiences in the workplace--not just sexual harassment (a story that has been better told in recent years) but old-fashioned discrimination like Eleanor experienced.
Disappointed in a lukewarm Clift. I, like you, am much more alarmed at the ability of the Republicans and their Democrat supporters in the senate to block success for the Dems on any and all issues, major or minor. We are all physically endangered by their attitude toward Covid vaccines. The Supreme Court has lost its objectivity. Our Democracy is in deep trouble.
Thank you, Eleanor, for citing the illustrative Green Lantern Theory of the Presidency, as described and criticized (below) by Ezra Klein of Vox in 2014. In this theory, it seems that Pres. Biden needs only to twist Sen. Manchin's arm hard enough to make the senator cry "uncle!" and then vote with the rest of the Democratic caucus. According to Ezra, it's not that simple, really - and the theory is responsible for many misconceptions about Washington sausage-making. https://www.vox.com/2014/5/20/5732208/the-green-lantern-theory-of-the-presidency-explained
Nice interview. I have never met Clift, but I had a good feeling about her as a person after reading your interview. Kudos to Newsweek for hiring her -- even if it took a lawsuit.
Thanks, Steve! I love it that great analysts and historians like you are reading Old Goats.