Howard Fineman, an influential political journalist known for his dynamic career spanning nearly four decades, died Tuesday of pancreatic cancer at his home in Washington.
Mr. Fineman, 75, began his journalism career at the Louisville Courier-Journal in Kentucky during the early 1970s. By the late ’70s, he had moved to Washington, initially reporting for the Courier-Journal before joining Newsweek. He spent almost 30 years at Newsweek as a reporter and editor, becoming well-known for his sharp political analysis and fast-paced reporting style, The New York Times reported.
Part of a generation of journalists that emerged after the Watergate scandal, Mr. Fineman brought a level of polished professionalism to his work. His approach resonated well during the Reagan era, a time marked by a more collegial atmosphere between political parties and the media.
His work at Newsweek, alongside colleagues such as Gloria Borger, Michael Isikoff and Evan Thomas, helped the magazine stand out at a time often considered a golden age for news publications. Together, they crafted weekly reports that combined breaking news with in-depth analysis, setting the tone for political discourse in Washington and beyond.
Mr. Fineman was an early adopter of technology, always looking for tools to aid his reporting. He was among the first Washington journalists to use a laptop computer, the TRS-80 Model 100, which he used to stay connected with his editors at Newsweek.
He also recognized the potential impact of cable news in the early 1980s, becoming a frequent guest on networks such as CNN, Fox and MSNBC. His television appearances included shows such as “Hardball with Chris Matthews” on CNBC and MSNBC, “Washington Week” on PBS, and later, “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report.”
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