The NPR Politics Podcast 50 Years Of NPR's Political Coverage
May 31, 2021
Mara Liasson, NPR's astute national political correspondent, and Nina Totenberg, a legendary legal affairs journalist, reminisce about their groundbreaking contributions to political coverage. They delve into NPR's early challenges, including the chaos of reporting during Watergate. Highlighting the pivotal role of women journalists, they discuss the evolution of political narratives, significant impeachments, and the media's impact on Supreme Court nominations. Their anecdotes reveal the mix of personal and professional challenges faced by reporters over the past 50 years.
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Watergate Coverage
- Linda Wertheimer covered Watergate, Nixon's impeachment scandal, as one of her first major stories.
- She recalls feeling terrified, as did many Americans, fearing the potential collapse of democracy.
Shifting Political Landscape
- Today's political climate feels different than during Watergate.
- There's more cynicism now, with predetermined outcomes and less seriousness about the job.
Rodino's Tears
- Peter Rodino, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, cried when calling for the impeachment vote.
- This demonstrates the gravity with which politicians treated their responsibilities then.