Jules Witcover, Renowned Political Columnist, Passes Away at 98

WASHINGTON – Jules Witcover, who co-wrote one of the most prominent political columns in the U.S. for nearly three decades, died on Saturday at the age of 98, according to his daughter, Amy Whitcober Sandford.

Witcover’s widely read daily column was a collaboration with the late Jack Germond for 24 years, allowing him to express his strong political views. The column “Politics Today” initially appeared in the Washington Star before moving to the Baltimore Sun. After Germond’s retirement in 2001, Witcover continued writing solo for another five years.

In addition to his column, Witcover had previously covered political news for various outlets, including the Newhouse News Service, the Los Angeles Times, and the Washington Post. He also contributed to several magazines, such as the New Republic and the Nation.

Witcover witnessed many significant moments in political history, some of which were quite tragic. Notably, he was present when Robert F. Kennedy was shot in 1968 and later recounted this experience in his book “85 Days,” reflecting on Kennedy’s brief presidential campaign. He remembered the tragic moments with a sense of vivid detail, perhaps illustrating the weight of living through such events.

He described his dynamic with Germond as a friendly rivalry, noting their shared love for long dinners on the campaign trail, a routine that became legendary among their peers during the 1972 presidential election.

When they began writing their columns together in 1977, Witcover mentioned that they often took turns playing good cop and bad cop, which added an interesting dynamic to their political commentary.

At its height, their syndicated column ran five times a week and reached around 140 newspapers, showcasing Witcover’s keen influence in the political landscape.

In his later years, he was especially critical of the Iraq War, referring to it as “the most wrong foreign policy and the most dangerous thing of my life.” He expressed that while the editorial stance of the Baltimore Sun was against the war, it didn’t take an active role in opposing it.

Whitcober’s journey began in Union City, New Jersey, where he was raised in a blend of Jewish and Catholic cultures. He had an early affinity for writing, even creating a family newspaper with his cousin about Thanksgiving events.

Encouraged by a high school classmate, he applied to Columbia, attending for a semester before serving in the Navy. After the war, he returned to Columbia and earned a master’s degree in journalism.

Years later, he humorously recalled how he thought he was finally getting his break when a Boston newspaper offered him a job covering spring training for the Braves. However, the team ended up relocating to Milwaukee, dashing his hopes.

By 1962, after 11 years since graduation, he had risen to become a senior correspondent at Newhouse News Service, establishing himself as a leading political journalist.

Witcover spent his later years in Washington with his second wife, Marion Elizabeth Rogers, an accomplished biographer. His first marriage, lasting nearly 40 years, ended in divorce.

Walter Mears, a well-respected political writer at the Associated Press, remarked on Witcover’s work ethic, recalling how he could hear him typing away in the early hours, dedicated to his craft and writing projects.