Richard Cohen

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Richard Cohen – Life, Career, and Signature Voice

Learn about Richard Cohen (born 1941) — his journey from reporter to syndicated columnist, his major controversies, writing style, legacy and famous lines — a comprehensive biography.

Introduction

Richard Martin Cohen (born February 6, 1941) is an American journalist and opinion columnist, best known for his long tenure at The Washington Post. Over many decades, he wrote a nationally syndicated column, commented on domestic and international politics, and courted both acclaim and criticism. His voice has been influential in American political discourse, and his career offers a window into the evolution of op-ed journalism in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Early Life and Family

Richard Cohen was born in New York City on February 6, 1941. Far Rockaway High School in New York.

Little is publicly known about his parents or early childhood beyond these details, as Cohen has kept much of his personal life relatively private.

Youth and Education

After high school, Cohen continued his studies at Hunter College and later at New York University (for undergraduate work). Columbia University.

In the early 1960s, he served in the United States Army for two years. This period likely influenced his later interest in national politics and public affairs.

Career and Achievements

Early Reporting Years

Cohen began his journalism career with United Press International (UPI) in New York. 1968, he joined The Washington Post as a reporter.

As the paper’s chief Maryland correspondent, Cohen was one of the two reporters who broke the story about the investigation of Vice President Spiro T. Agnew. A Heartbeat Away: The Investigation and Resignation of Vice President Spiro T. Agnew.

Columnist Career

In 1976, Cohen began writing a column for The Washington Post’s Metro section. 1981, his columns were nationally syndicated by the Washington Post Writers Group. op-ed pages of the Post (since about 1984).

Cohen continued to write a weekly political column until September 2019, when he published his farewell column.

Recognition & Controversies

Richard Cohen was a four-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in the Commentary category.

However, his career also attracted criticism and controversy:

• In 1998, Cohen was involved in a dispute with a junior editorial aide, Devon Spurgeon, over inappropriate comments and conduct. The Washington Post management reviewed the case and found that Spurgeon had been subjected to a “hostile working environment” but not formal “sexual harassment” within the legal definition; Cohen acknowledged that the matter was mediated internally.

• Some of his op-ed stances on race, the Middle East, and crime have been criticized as provocative or insensitive. For example, in 1986 he wrote a column arguing that owners of jewelry stores were justified in refusing entry to young Black men for fear of crime; The Washington Post later apologized.

• After the 2013 acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin, Cohen published a controversial column defending aspects of Zimmerman’s suspicion toward Martin, prompting backlash and debate about whether his views were racially insensitive.

• In 2007, Cohen criticized the prosecution of Scooter Libby (in the CIA leak / Plame affair), calling it politically motivated and sometimes meritless.

These episodes illustrate how Cohen’s style—direct, provocative, often straddling lines—made him both influential and polarizing.

Legacy and Influence

Richard Cohen’s legacy is multifaceted:

• He maintained a long, continuous presence in national discourse through his syndicated column, influencing readers and policy debates over generations.

• His reporting on the Agnew scandal and his decades of political commentary helped shape modern op-ed journalism.

• His willingness to voice controversial or unpopular positions, even at risk of backlash, reflects a journalistic ethos that values provocation and open debate.

• At the same time, his critics argue that some of his stances were insensitive and reflect limitations in his perspectives, particularly on race and minority communities.

In sum, Cohen’s legacy is neither wholly celebrated nor entirely condemned—he remains a prominent example of a columnist whose influence came with complexities.

Writing Style & Personality

• Opinionated & provocative: Cohen often took strong positions, even when they would spark disagreement.

• Mix of reportage and commentary: His columns frequently blended narrative, anecdote, and analysis.

• Urban, cosmopolitan voice: His background in New York and Washington spheres gave his writing a distinctly metropolitan sensibility.

• Evolving reflection: Over his career, he occasionally recanted or refined earlier positions (e.g. his evolving stance on the Iraq War)

Cohen appears to have been private about his personal life; his influence primarily rests on his public voice rather than an overt personal brand.

Notable Quotes & Opinions

Here are a few lines and ideas attributed to Richard Cohen that reveal his style and worldview:

“Only a fool—or possibly a Frenchman—could conclude otherwise.”
— In a 2003 column about Iraq’s supposed weapons of mass destruction, Cohen argued that skepticism of the Powell UN presentation was unreasonable.

“The greatest mistake Israel could make … is to forget that Israel itself is a mistake.”
— A 2006 column on the Middle East that drew criticism and debate.

“What I'm trying to deal with is … I'm trying to remove this fear from racism.”
— From his defense around the Trayvon Martin / Zimmerman controversy, where he distinguished fear from racism in his argument.

In his farewell column: “Flying into Cairo for the first time … a sandstorm obscured the pyramids … I envisioned them anyway … I was being paid to see them.”
— A lyrical reflection on his life as a columnist and observer of history.

These quotations show Cohen’s blend of assertiveness, introspection, and rhetorical flourish.

Lessons from Richard Cohen’s Journey

1. Long-form opinion writing can shape public debate
   A sustained platform over decades allows a columnist to influence and provoke reflection.

2. Provocation has power — and risk
   Taking bold, even controversial stances garners attention but also invites scrutiny and backlash.

3. Evolve publicly
   Cohen’s occasional re-evaluations (e.g. on war, on his own past columns) underline the value in revisiting one’s views over time.

4. Balance reporting instincts and ideological commitments
   Effective columnists often straddle fact-based reporting and moral/political judgments—Cohen’s career shows both the strengths and pitfalls of that tension.

5. Privacy can preserve the focus on work
   By keeping much of his personal life private, Cohen ensured that his public identity remained tied to his writing, not personal celebrity.

Conclusion

Richard Cohen is a prominent, if controversial, figure in American journalism. His decades-long column helped shape national conversations on politics, culture, race, and foreign policy. While admired by many for his sharp intellect and willing provocations, he also drew criticism for statements some saw as insensitive or flawed.

His life reminds us that columnists do not merely comment on events — they help frame them. If you like, I can also prepare a timeline of his major columns, key controversies, and awards. Would you like me to do that?