Eleanor Clift

Eleanor Clift is an American political journalist and commentator known for her liberal perspective and long tenure as a contributing editor for Newsweek magazine. She gained national prominence as a regular panelist on the syndicated television discussion program The McLaughlin Group, where she provided sharp analysis on Washington, D.C. politics. Her career spans decades of covering the White House, Congress, and national elections for major publications.

Early life and education

Eleanor Clift was born on October 25, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York. She was raised in a politically aware household, which fostered an early interest in current events and the American political system. She pursued her higher education at Hofstra University on Long Island, where she studied journalism and graduated with a degree that equipped her for a career in media. Her academic years coincided with the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement and the escalating Cold War, formative events that shaped her journalistic outlook.

Journalism career

Clift began her professional career at Newsday, a major Long Island newspaper, where she worked as a reporter covering local news and politics. She joined the Washington bureau of Newsweek in the 1970s, initially reporting on Congressional affairs and later becoming a White House correspondent during the administration of President Jimmy Carter. She covered subsequent presidencies, including those of Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, providing in-depth reporting on domestic policy and presidential elections. Her role expanded to contributing editor, and she became a familiar face on The McLaughlin Group, debating conservative counterparts like Pat Buchanan and John McLaughlin.

Political commentary and analysis

As a prominent political analyst, Clift is known for her articulate liberal commentary on the American political landscape. She has been a frequent guest on television news programs such as The Today Show, Hardball with Chris Matthews, and Real Time with Bill Maher. Her analysis often focuses on the Democratic Party, gender politics, and the interplay between the White House and the Congress. She has provided election night commentary for networks like NBC News and continues to write a column for The Daily Beast, offering perspective on contemporary issues like the Affordable Care Act and Supreme Court nominations.

Books and publications

Clift is the author and co-author of several books on American politics and history. Her notable works include *War Without Bloodshed: The Art of Politics*, which examines political strategy, and *Madam President: Shattering the Last Glass Ceiling*, co-authored with her husband, which analyzes women's pursuit of the presidency. She co-wrote *The President's Assassin* with Matthew Miller, a political thriller. Her other publications include *Founding Sisters and the Nineteenth Amendment*, detailing the struggle for women's suffrage, and *Two Weeks of Life: A Memoir of Love, Death, and Politics*, a personal and political narrative written with Tom Brazaitis.

Personal life

In 1979, Eleanor Clift married fellow journalist Tom Brazaitis, a columnist for *The Plain Dealer* in Cleveland, Ohio; their partnership was both personal and professional, collaborating on writing projects until his death from cancer in 2005. She has been open about the challenges of being a woman in the male-dominated field of Washington, D.C. political journalism during the 1970s and 1980s. An advocate for breast cancer awareness, she has participated in events for the Susan G. Komen foundation. She resides in Washington, D.C., and remains an active commentator on the American political system.

Category:American political journalists Category:Newsweek people Category:Hofstra University alumni Category:1940 births Category:Living people