Young Reporter

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.

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
Soundbytes


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JOHP:: Jack Anderson Resources:

Jack Anderson Bio

The Early Years

Senator Joseph McCarthy


1960s

President Nixon

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