David Salzer Broder American journalist, Pulitzer Prize winner Date of Birth: 11.09.1929 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Career in Journalism
3. Coverage of Presidential Campaigns
4. Notable Quotes and Contributions
5. Awards and Legacy

Early Life and Education

David Salzer Broder was born on March 4, 1929, in Chicago Heights, Illinois, to Albert "Doc" Broder, a dentist, and Nina Salzer Broder. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Chicago in 1947 and a Master of Arts degree in political science in 1951.

Career in Journalism

Broder's journalistic career began with The Chicago Maroon and later the Hyde Park Herald. He served in the army from 1951 to 1953, where he wrote for the U.S. Forces Austria (USFA) Sentinel. After his military service, he joined the Pantagraph in Bloomington, Illinois.

In Washington, D.C., Broder began his career as a political journalist, earning the title "Dean of the Washington Press Corps." He penned two weekly columns for The Washington Post for over 40 years, which were widely regarded as "unerringly centrist" by both liberals and conservatives.

Coverage of Presidential Campaigns

Broder covered every U.S. presidential campaign from 1956 onward. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973 for his coverage of the Watergate scandal, specifically for his insightful analysis and commentary on the events. His reporting played a significant role in President Richard Nixon's resignation.

Notable Quotes and Contributions

Broder is known for his insightful and witty quotes, such as: "Any citizen who is willing to spend two years of his or her life trying to convince us that he or she should be president should be disqualified from holding that office."

He also worked for The New York Times, Washington Star, and other major publications. From 2001 onward, Broder taught journalism at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College while continuing his full-time position at The Washington Post.

Awards and Legacy

Broder served as an informal chairperson of the Washington press corps and was considered the "elder statesman of American political journalism." His work was highly regarded by the highest echelons of U.S. politics. President Barack Obama called him "a true giant of journalism" and noted his reputation as "one of the most respected and incisive political commentators of his generation."

Broder authored or co-authored eight books, including "Democracy Derailed: Initiative Campaigns and the Power of Money" (2000). He passed away on March 9, 2011, at the age of 81.