Eleanor Clift
Eleanor Clift is a prominent American political journalist, pundit, and author. Dive into her background, career milestones, publishing work, broadcasting role, and enduring influence on political commentary.
Introduction
Eleanor Irene Clift (née Roeloffs; born July 7, 1940) is an American political journalist, commentator, and author. The McLaughlin Group, her contributions to Newsweek and The Daily Beast, and her books on politics, gender, and public life.
Clift’s career spans decades of shifting media landscapes, and she has been a visible voice in debates across election cycles, the role of women in politics, and the mechanics of power.
Early Life & Background
Eleanor Roeloffs was born on July 7, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York City. Jackson Heights, Queens, where her parents operated a delicatessen in Sunnyside.
Clift attended Hofstra University and Hunter College, though she did not complete a degree at either institution.
Her early life in New York exposed her to immigrant communities and a working-class upbringing, shaping her perspective on American politics and social mobility.
Path Into Journalism
Clift began her professional journey in 1963 working as a secretary at Newsweek.
Over time, she moved into assignments covering national politics. She was assigned to follow the campaign of Jimmy Carter, traveling with the campaign and reporting from the field. White House correspondent for Newsweek.
Since 1976, she has covered every U.S. presidential campaign for Newsweek. Newsweek merged with The Daily Beast in 2010, she continued her political coverage there.
By 1994, Clift became a contributing editor at Newsweek.
Broadcasting & Public Commentary
Clift expanded into broadcasting and public commentary, becoming a familiar face and voice in Washington media.
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She began appearing on The Diane Rehm Show on WAMU-FM (Washington, D.C.) as a weekly “week-in-review” panelist.
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She gained widespread recognition as a regular panelist on The McLaughlin Group, a long-running public affairs show known for its lively debates and political sparring. She has described it as “a televised food fight.”
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Her punditry expanded to television and cable, including contributions on MSNBC and blogging for The Daily Beast.
Clift’s style in commentary reflects her long experience in journalism: grounded, skeptical, attentive to institutional dynamics, and often highlighting the interplay of personalities and power.
She has also made cameo appearances in films, often playing a panelist or herself — for instance in Dave (1993), Independence Day (1996), and others.
Major Works & Books
Beyond her journalism and commentary, Clift has authored or co-authored several books exploring politics, leadership, and the role of women in public life. Some significant works include:
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War Without Bloodshed: The Art of Politics (with Tom Brazaitis)
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Madam President: Shattering the Last Glass Ceiling
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Founding Sisters and the Nineteenth Amendment
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Election 2004: How Bush Won and What You Can Expect in the Future
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Two Weeks of Life: A Memoir of Love, Death, and Politics — a more personal book intertwining a public case (the Terri Schiavo case) with reflections on mortality, media, and public decision-making.
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Selecting a President (with Matthew Spieler)
Through these works, Clift has sought to bridge journalism and reflection, combining reporting with analysis and personal insight.
Personality, Themes & Influence
Clift’s career reflects several recurring themes:
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Opening doors for women in political journalism
She began at a time when many newsrooms limited women to support roles. Over decades, she advanced into front-line coverage and public commentary, helping normalize women’s voices in political journalism. -
Institutional insight over ideology
More than strict partisan alignment, Clift often analyzes how institutions, personalities, and power arrangements shape outcomes. Her reporting emphasizes systemic dynamics and political culture. -
Balancing the personal and public sphere
In Two Weeks of Life she used a public legal-medical case to meditate on how personal life and public policy collide. -
Longevity & adaptation
Clift’s ability to remain relevant across changing media (print, broadcast, digital) reflects both adaptability and deep experience. -
Respectful but probing tone
Her commentary often reflects respect for institutions but is not shy about critique. She emphasizes clarity, fairness, and probing questions rather than rhetorical excess.
Over time, she has become a kind of elder statesperson in political commentary — someone younger journalists and commentators often cite or engage with.
Selected Quotes & Insights
Here are notable quotes attributed to Eleanor Clift that reflect her style and viewpoint:
“Often, the disparities in the ways men and women are treated are subtle; there are not these clear barriers that you have to break down.”
“People want change but not too much change. Finding that balance is tricky for every politician.”
“The list of women to potentially be on a major party ticket, in both parties, is embarrassingly short.”
“If privacy ends where hypocrisy begins, Kitty Kelley’s steamy expose is a contribution to contemporary history.”
These lines capture her attention to nuance, gender dynamics, political ambition, and tension between public and private life.
Lessons from Eleanor Clift’s Journey
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Begin where you are, but aim higher
Starting as a secretary, she leveraged every opportunity to move into reporting and analysis. -
Persistence matters more than immediate recognition
Her decades-long presence across major campaigns shows that consistency builds influence. -
Expertise trumps partisanship
Her reputation rests on insight and analysis, not on being a voice for a party. -
Voice matters—especially for underrepresented groups
As a woman in political journalism, she has helped create space for others to follow. -
The personal is part of public life
Her work demonstrates how personal narratives and public policy often intersect, enriching understanding.
Conclusion
Eleanor Clift stands as a formidable figure in American political journalism and commentary. From modest beginnings in New York to covering the White House and shaping public discourse on cable and in print, she embodies the power of experience, thoughtful analysis, and principled voice.