Remembering Famed Political Reporter Jack Germond

Jack Germond, a great political reporter, died today at his home in West Virginia at the age of
85. Beginning in 1974, he wrote often for
Washingtonian, and a few of his magazine stories are below.

When I met Jack in 1968, he was covering national politics for the Gannett newspapers.
Back then, press coverage of presidential campaigns was dominated by maybe ten reporters,
and Jack, through his energy, savvy, and wit, was one of the leaders of the pack.
Those top print reporters—Jack, columnist
Robert Novak, plus the reporters from the AP, UPI,
New York Times,
Washington Post,
Los Angeles Times,
Chicago Tribune,
Baltimore Sun,
Time, and
Newsweek—helped decide the kind of campaign coverage that went out to most Americans.

Much of the tone of the campaign coverage was decided over long dinners at the end
of the day. The dinners were held under “the Germond rule,” which said that the check
would be split evenly, meaning that you might as well enjoy as much food and drink
as possible because you were helping to pay for everyone else’s food and drink. Jack
loved those dinners and was, in effect, the chairman of the board of the top political
reporters.

In 1974, Jack went to the
Washington Star and then to the
Baltimore Sun, where he teamed often with another great reporter,
Jules Witcover, on his stories for
Washingtonian and columns published by many newspapers. In the late 1970s, Jack was one of the
first of the great print reporters to go on television—he was a regular on
The McLaughlin Group, making him one of the nation’s most entertaining and popular political reporters.

The following are selected pieces Jack wrote for Washingtonian.

Where Have All the Rogues Gone? 

Political mischief isn’t what it used to be, but we still have a few rogues, cranks, and buffoons.

Madame President! 

Will there be a woman President in this century? Would you believe a woman Vice President in 1984?

Kennedy, You SOB! 

Once again Teddy crossed up the political experts, but it wasn’t the first time they’d been badly burned.

Picking on Jimmy 

Why is everyone being so nice to that terrible Dick Nixon and so mean to that fellow from Georgia?

Is the GOP On Top for Good? 

Republicans are taking over in the south, but can they dominate the country? And what happens after Reagan?

An Astronaut in the White House? 

In 1962 John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth. Now, in 1982, he is an increasingly respected Senator from Ohio, and he is cautiously circling the Oval Office.

Why Do Conservatives Hate George Bush? 

You may think the Vice President hasn’t done anything to make anyone mad, but the Right fears that he’s secretly taking over the Reagan Administration, and they shudder at the thought of a President George Bush.

A Cold, Hard Look 

New Hampshire has the nation’s first presidential primary and often picks winners. But sometimes it leaves front-runners frozen stiff.

A Look at Presidential Contender Gaffes 

The candidates may spend millions of dollars and talk intelligently about big issues. But in the end, the race for president can turn on a single gaffe.

Don’t Be Fooled 

Advice from a veteran political reporter on how to be a smarter voter.

Jack Limpert