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Mark Leibovich

Mark Leibovich Quotes

Journalist

Mark Leibovich, born on May 9, 1965, is an American journalist known for his in-depth reporting on politics and the media. He has served as a journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, and is recognized for his insightful reporting and critical analysis of political and media events.

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All People Thinking Insiders Journalism Journalist Discomfort Helpful Honor Ifs Media

Famous Mark Leibovich Quotes

“Washingtonians love the "So-and-so is spinning in his grave" cliché. Someone is always speculating about how some great dead American would be scandalized over some crime against How It Used to Be. The Founding Fathers are always spinning in their graves over something, as is Ronald Reagan, or FDR. Edward R. Murrow is a perennial grave spinner in the news business (though in fact, Murrow was cremated).”

Politics Media Nostalgia Journalism Comparison Gossip Speculation Washington Dc Clichés Contrasts Scandals Sensibilities Edward R Murrow Great Americans Political Gossip Scandalization Spinning In Their Grave

Book:This Town: Two Parties and a Funeral — plus plenty of valet parking! — in America's Gilded Capital

Source: This Town: Two Parties and a Funeral — plus plenty of valet parking! — in America's Gilded Capital

“Cynicism is idealism turned inside out. It stems from an expectation unrealized and a promise perverted. That is so much of Washington today in a nutshell.”

Cynicism Washington D C This Town

Book:This Town: Two Parties and a Funeral — plus plenty of valet parking! — in America's Gilded Capital

Source: This Town: Two Parties and a Funeral — plus plenty of valet parking! — in America's Gilded Capital

“Media has changed dramatically, as you and I know. We're in a world now where you're rewarded for being outrageous. Punditry has replaced reporting as the gold standard of journalism.”

Knows World Media Changed Standards Gold Journalism Replaced Outrageous Gold Standard

Author:Mark Leibovich

“The people who are doing really well and who are getting stopped in airports are the people who are going to say the more outrageous things and get on TV and state their opinion on a regular basis.”

People Wells States Opinion Tvs Bases Airports Outrageous

Author:Mark Leibovich

“I don't think people talk to me because I'm such a good, charming, good-looking guy. I don't - whether that's true or not. I think they do it because I work for a major news organization, and they think that it can probably be helpful to them and their business interests or their personal interest and what have you.”

People Thinking Guy Interest Majors News Organization Helpful Charming Looking Good Talk To Me Personal Interest Good Looking Guys

Author:Mark Leibovich

“I'm sure people are badmouthing me. I think one of the interesting parts about the criticism has been the tenor of "how dare he." How dare an insider speak critically about other insiders?”

People Thinking Has Beens Speak Interesting Criticism Dare Insiders Tenors

Author:Mark Leibovich

“I work for a big newspaper, and I guess I'm an insider. I don't have the luxury of calling myself a foreign correspondent and just swooping in and then leaving.”

Bigs Calling Leaving Newspapers Luxury Insiders

Author:Mark Leibovich

“I think the job of a good journalist, especially in Washington, is to create discomfort, and I think for a certain class of people, and for whom life is quite comfortable, I've created discomfort. So I take that as a badge of honor.”

People Thinking Jobs Life Is Certain Class Honor Comfortable Journalist Discomfort Badges

Author:Mark Leibovich

“I've done a lot of tough stories over the years. I've done a lot of profiles over the years that have not always been, shall we say, helpful for the person who is being written about.”

Years Persons Done Stories Written Tough Helpful Profile

Author:Mark Leibovich

“I think as long as you're straight with people, as long as you honor ground rules, as long as you serve your readers, you're going to get the door opened for you.”

People Thinking Long Doors Reader Honor Ground Rules

Author:Mark Leibovich

“I'm just a journalist. I shine a mirror to the culture. I give the cop-out answer.”

Giving Culture Answers Mirrors Shining Journalist Cop

Author:Mark Leibovich

“I think one of the dirty little secrets that I try to reveal here is that Washington is not hopelessly divided. It's very interconnected. We're talking about people sort of feeding from the same insider trough, where if you are known as an insider, you are going to get paid and do very, very, very well.”

People Ifs Thinking Trying Wells Littles Secret Talking Known Paid Dirty Divided Feeding Interconnected Insiders Trough

Author:Mark Leibovich

“I always keep my repertorial hat on.”

Author:Mark Leibovich

“To cover politics in Washington allows you to live in the very, very wide gap between what the actual truth is, and how people are trying to manipulate the truth. They speak in the language of spin, obsequiousness, obfuscation. The meta of politics is just this endless source of material that can shed light on the psychology of the process.”

People Trying Light Speak Language Process Psychology Materials Source Truth Is Wide Endless Gaps Shed Manipulate Obfuscation Obsequiousness

Author:Mark Leibovich

“I think that part of being a good journalist, part of being an awake member of the world youre in, is to view yourself as an outsider, and I always have, to some degree.”

Thinking World Views Members Degrees Journalist Awake Outsiders

Author:Mark Leibovich

“Washington has always had a pretty healthy amount of self-loathing.”

Self Amount Healthy Loathing Self Loathing

Author:Mark Leibovich

“But 'This Town' is official Washington. It's political Washington. It's not the Washington that clogs New York Avenue. It's not the Washington that lives in Gaithersburg. It's not the Washington that accounts for most of the population. 'This Town' refers to the people who think they run your country.”

People Thinking Country Running Political New York Accounts Towns Population Officials Avenues

Author:Mark Leibovich

“Spirituality in Washington can be more of a - I don't want to say it - but, a networking opportunity. Religion is often used opportunistically in the political conversation.”

Want Political Used Spirituality Opportunity Conversation Networking

Author:Mark Leibovich

“The shaming of Washington, insofar as it is even possible, is a very noble pursuit.”

Author:Mark Leibovich

“I violated apparently an unspoken rule that we are supposed to take care of our own. Frankly if that invites discomfort, I welcome it. I don't think there's enough discomfort in journalism, especially in Washington.”

Ifs Thinking Enough Care Take Care Welcome Journalism Invites Discomfort Unspoken Unspoken Rules

Author:Mark Leibovich

About the Author

Born: May 9, 1965
Known for: Journalist
Quotes: 20

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Books & Sources

This Town: Two Parties and a Funeral — plus plenty of valet parking! — in America's Gilded CapitalRelated source material

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