Thursday, March 10, 2011

David Broder Died : U.S. Political Reporter, Journalist Died at 81


David S. Broder, who skillfully straddled the line between commentary and reportage as a longtime political correspondent and columnist for The Washington Post and as a frequent commentator on television, died on Wednesday in Arlington, Va. He was 81. The cause was complications of diabetes, The Post reported.

Mr. Broder,was often called the dean of the Washington press corps. He was a fixture at The Post for more than four decades, and his influence was national in scope.

His column was syndicated around the country, and he made more guest appearances on “Meet the Press” than any other journalist.“He had great faith in voters — not just their collective judgment, but their individual ideas,” Mr. Balz said in an interview. “His view was always that campaigns should not just be about the candidates, but about voters and what they want to happen.Young editors who grew up revering Broder's work sometimes found themselves in the unnerving role of his editor.



Broder typically accepted their suggestions with a breezy grace, urging them to trust their instincts. "I'm sure what you're doing is fine," he would say.No one, however, could persuade Broder to remove the shockingly high stacks of newspapers and other clutter that made it downright scary to enter his small office in the Post newsroom. When a fire marshal visit seemed imminent, workers would clear out the room during his out-of-town reporting trips.

The Washington Post, which then was far less renowned among U.S. journalists. He, editor Ben Bradlee and others began raising the Post's reputation for political reporting, which was boosted further by its Watergate coverage in the 1970s.He went to The Washington Post, which then was far less renowned among U.S. journalists.

He, editor Ben Bradlee and others began raising the Post's reputation for political reporting, which was boosted further by its Watergate coverage in the 1970s.Mears said Broder was always humble. When campaign reporters had a few drinks before a late-night Barry Goldwater speech 1964, Broder thought Mears had overindulged.

He silently dropped a copy of his overnight story on Mears' desk, hoping to inspire or help his friend.Mears rallied, wrote his own story, and returned Broder's copy to him in the hotel bar. "David, I can write better drunk than you can sober," Mears snarled.Broder roared with laughter, Mears said. "He told that story over and over."

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