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Drew Pearson had begun his syndicated
column, "The Washington Merry-Go-Round," in 1932, and was one of the
few editorial voices in the nation who supported the progressive
policies of the New Deal since most newspapers at the time were owned
by conservative Republicans. Fifteen years later, when Jack Anderson
began working for him, Pearson was at the height of his power. |
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The young reporter
from Utah quickly got a crash course in crusading journalism. He got
himself invited along while investigators bugged the hotel room of a
businessman suspected of bribing Dwight Eisenhower's White House chief
of staff. He testified before congressional committees, lobbied
senators on their votes and used his column as leverage for Pearson's
political lobbying. |
"Drew was forever
meddling in affairs of state, needling congressmen to do his bidding,
even writing speeches for them to deliver on the floor," Anderson later
wrote. "He believed that to get the job done he must intrude during all
phases of the battle. Not only would he expose the abuse, he would
hound the tribunal until it investigated, instruct witnesses on their
testimony, propagandize the galleries, help draft the remedial
legislation, and write a popular history of the affair."

Soundbytes
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JOHP:: Jack Anderson Resources:
Jack Anderson Bio
The Early Years
Senator Joseph McCarthy
1960s
President Nixon
