How One of Nixon’s Greatest Critics Changed Journalism
Mary McGrory Opened the Door for Women in the Political Newsroom—and Angered Plenty of People in the Process
In 1973, when the Watergate hearings were at full pitch, word leaked to reporters that Richard Nixon’s White House counsel was going to release the president’s now-infamous “Enemies List”—an index of his 20 greatest political opponents.
Barry Kalb, who was covering the hearings for the Washington Star, contacted the lawyer representing the White House counsel. “I will never tell anybody where I got it,” Kalb pestered, “Have we got anybody on the list?”
The lawyer’s response was brief: “Mary McGrory.” Her name …