Jim Lehrer

Jim Lehrer – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Meta description: Jim Lehrer (1934-2020) was a distinguished American journalist, news anchor, debate moderator, and author. Explore his biography, journalism philosophy, landmark moments, quotes, and lessons we can draw from his life.

Introduction

James Charles “Jim” Lehrer (May 19, 1934 – January 23, 2020) was a legendary American journalist, novelist, playwright, news anchor, and moderator of presidential debates. He is best known as executive editor and longtime anchor of the PBS NewsHour (and its predecessors), and for having moderated more U.S. presidential debates than any other American — a total of 12 between 1988 and 2012.

Lehrer’s journalistic ethos — calm, principled, minimalist — and his respect for audiences set a standard in public media. His dual identity as a journalist and writer also gave him a unique voice in exploring politics, history, and narrative. His legacy remains influential in broadcast journalism, public debate, and media ethics.

Early Life and Family

Jim Lehrer was born on May 19, 1934, in Wichita, Kansas, to Lois Catherine (née Chapman) and Harry Frederick Lehrer. His mother worked as a bank clerk and teacher; his father managed a bus station.

He had an older brother, Fred, who became a Baptist minister.

Youth, Education, and Military Service

After high school, Lehrer first studied at Victoria College (Texas), where he earned an associate degree. University of Missouri School of Journalism, graduating in 1956 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

Following college, Lehrer served three years in the U.S. Marine Corps (1956–1959) as an infantry officer. Though he saw no combat, he often reflected that his service shaped his worldview, self-discipline, and sense of responsibility. “Seldom a day goes by that I don’t know I am doing something because of something I learned in the Marine Corps.”

After his military service, Lehrer embarked on his journalism career, bringing both discipline and curiosity to his reporting.

Career and Achievements

Early Journalism: Dallas Years

Lehrer’s journalism career began in 1959 at The Dallas Morning News in Texas. Dallas Times Herald, where he covered politics, local news, and, famously, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas in 1963.

Those early years taught Lehrer the rigor and moral weight of journalism. His presence in Dallas during the Kennedy assassination left a lasting impression — he once recounted asking whether Kennedy’s car would use a plexiglass cover in the rain, leading a Secret Service agent to order its removal.

Transition to Television & Public Broadcasting

In the early 1970s, Lehrer moved into television. He worked for KERA-TV in Dallas as executive director of public affairs, host, and editor of a nightly news show. PBS in Washington, D.C. as Public Affairs Coordinator, and became a correspondent with the National Public Affairs Center for Television (NPACT).

In 1973, Lehrer and journalist Robert MacNeil began covering the Senate Watergate hearings live for PBS, an experience that pushed forward more in-depth televised journalism.

The MacNeil / Lehrer Years & PBS NewsHour

In October 1975, Lehrer became Washington correspondent for The Robert MacNeil Report (on WNET), and shortly after was elevated to co-anchor — the program was then renamed The MacNeil/Lehrer Report. 1983, the show expanded to a full hour and became The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour.

When MacNeil retired in 1995, Lehrer continued as sole anchor, and the program was rebranded The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. Later, in 2009, it adopted a multi-anchor format and was renamed PBS NewsHour. June 6, 2011, though he remained involved in its production and anchored Friday news analysis.

Lehrer was renowned for his journalistic style: unhurried, skeptical, respectful, and committed to separating fact from opinion. In PBS’s tribute, nine tenets of his journalism philosophy were cited — among them: “Do nothing I cannot defend,” “Cover, write, and present every story with the care I would want if the story were about me,” and “Assume there is at least one other side or version to every story.” “Good evening, I’m Jim Lehrer.”

Presidential Debates & Moderator Role

One of Lehrer's signature contributions to American public life was his role as a moderator in presidential debates. Over the span of 1988 to 2012, he moderated 12 presidential debates, more than any other American.

In 2016, Lehrer served on the board of the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD).

Writing, Literary Work & Other Pursuits

Beyond journalism, Lehrer was a prolific writer. He authored many novels, plays, screenplays, memoirs, and non-fiction works drawing from his experiences in politics, media, and history. A Bus of My Own (1992), Tension City: Inside the Presidential Debates, From Kennedy-Nixon to Obama-McCain, and We Were Dreamers. Top Down: A Novel of the Kennedy Assassination (2013) and plays such as Bell.

Lehrer also had a passionate interest in buses — a hobby inherited from his father and tied to his early life — collecting bus memorabilia and supporting museum projects.

Legacy and Influence

Jim Lehrer’s legacy is profound across journalism, public discourse, and media ethics.

1. Standard-bearer of Public Broadcasting Journalism
   His anchor years helped define what serious, nonpartisan news broadcasting could look like — balancing depth, context, and restraint in an era that increasingly favored speed and sensationalism.

2. “Dean of Moderators”
   Because of his many presidential debate moderations, many referred to him as the “Dean of Moderators.”

3. Ethical and Humble Approach
   Lehrer’s motto — “It’s not about us” — guided his professional and personal demeanor. He consistently reminded colleagues and audiences that journalism is service, not self-glorification. “Remember, it’s not about you.”

4. Bridge Between Journalism & Literature
   Through his dual career as writer and newsman, Lehrer demonstrated that narrative, context, and curiosity have power in both fiction and factual domains.

5. Enduring Values
   The tenets he lived by — fairness, clarity, respect for the audience, care in reporting — continue to offer guidance in a media environment often beset by polarization, clickbait, and noise.

Personality, Style, and Traits

Jim Lehrer was often described as understated, deliberate, modest, and deeply committed to the civic role of journalism. His traits and qualities included:

• Intellectual humility & restraint: He rarely imposed his own views, preferring to ask probing questions and let issues emerge.

• Steadiness under pressure: During crises and contentious debates, his calm presence helped maintain credibility.

• Respect for the audience: He believed viewers were intelligent and deserved thoughtful content.

• Consistency: What you saw in his public persona was largely consistent with his private self — avoiding egoism or flamboyance.

• Integrity in journalism: He adhered to the principle of “do nothing I cannot defend,” and insisted on care when reporting.

• Curiosity & narrative sensibility: His writing and reporting were enriched by storytelling instincts and a fascination with political and historical arcs.

Famous Quotes by Jim Lehrer

Here are some representative quotes that reflect his principles and voice:

“Do nothing I cannot defend.”

“Cover, write and present every story with the care I would want if the story were about me.”

“Assume there is at least one other side or version to every story.”

“It’s not about us.”

“I am not in the entertainment business.”

“Seldom a day goes by that I don’t know I am doing something because of something I learned in the Marine Corps.”

These quotes reveal a man grounded in accountability, respect for truth, and humility in vocation.

Lessons from Jim Lehrer's Life and Career

1. Substance Over Spectacle
   In a media landscape that often rewards flash and instant impact, Lehrer’s career underscores the enduring value of depth, patience, and restraint.

2. Moderation as Service, Not Performance
   His approach to moderating pivotal debates — stepping back, enabling voices, asking meaningfully — shows moderation as civic facilitation, not showmanship.

3. Hold to Principles under Pressure
   Amid political polarization and institutional tensions, Lehrer kept to a core ethic: defend your work, demand rigor, and treat people respectfully.

4. Dual Cultivation of Art and Fact
   Lehrer’s example suggests a fruitful synergy between journalism and writing — that factual rigor and narrative sensitivity can strengthen one another.

5. Legacy Through Influence, Not Ego
   His motto “It’s not about us” offers a guiding star: impact is measured not by applause, but by the respect of audiences and the integrity of work.

Conclusion

Jim Lehrer was more than a news anchor or debate moderator — he was a moral anchor in public media. Through decades of reporting, moderating, and writing, he embodied a quiet yet powerful belief: journalism is service, not spectacle; integrity is its foundation; and audiences deserve respect. His legacy continues in every thoughtful journalist, public broadcaster, or debate moderator who strives to let truth, context, and curiosity guide the conversation. If you’d like, I can also prepare a curated list of his best writings or debates to explore further.