Thomas DeFrank
@TomDeFrank
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Veteran White House correspondent (every prez since LBJ) and author. Contributing editor at National Journal. Proud Texas Aggie alum.
Joined August 2014
RIP Phil Jones, a fabulous, ferocious, fair reporter and an even better soul. He could spot a phony from either end of Pennsylvania Avenue and skewer them with uncommon skill. All this combined with an unparalleled generosity of spirit. Truly the greatest.
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Don Rumsfeld was a certifiable American patriot and statesman. Whether he was also an American hero will be sorted out by history. @TomDeFrank remembers the controversial former WH chief of staff and two-time Defense secretary. https://t.co/AUesgIH6F9
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As a late, great colleague loved to note after a White House non-denial denial in the 1970s: “I didn’t hear a ‘no.’”
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Kudos to Andrew - I began covering the WH as a Newsweek intern in June 1968. My first briefing was in George Christian’s office where Jen Psaki now sits. Today’s briefing room didn’t exist. Made my first WH trip that summer when LBJ dedicated a dam in Nashville. Still here
Actually, by Tom's count he's on his ELEVENTH (add LBJ to the list)
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Didn’t put in my pool report, but Call Your Mother and Bullfrog Bagel are in a fevered war here on Capitol Hill for bagel supremacy. Jury still out...
En route back from church, Biden diverted motorcade so Hunter Biden could make a food run at Call Your Mother, arguably the best bagel shop in DC. Hunter stood at the window several minutes for the takeout order as his dad and daughters waited in the car, per pooler @TomDeFrank
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“What we’re seeing is an outbreak of born-again vertebrates,” a veteran Republican operative with ties to the establishment wing of the party tells National Journal.
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Re McConnell, hell hath no fury like a defrocked Senate Majority Leader. Reminds me of a humid August afternoon when another Senate Majority Leader visited the WH With two colleagues and told Nixon: resign or be impeached and convicted. I was there; quite a day.
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Brent Scowcroft was truly one of a kind, a national security adviser to two presidents who had strong policy views but subordinated them to the role of honest broker for all the foreign policy fiefdoms of government. The very model of a noble public servant - and a good soul.
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Kudos to the legendary Stu Spencer on his 90th birthday. Political consultant extraordinaire with a heart of gold.
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Excited to reminisce about covering the last 10 POTUSES with @tvkatesnow at 3 today on MSNBC.
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Another debate that mattered: Bentsen-Quayle 1988. When Bentsen said "Senator you're no Jack Kennedy," Quayle's political future was done.
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Flashback: Tomorrow is 40th anniversary of the Nixon pardon. Ford lost the 1976 election but did the right thing. I was there; quite a day
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Thanks to @AndrewDeFrank for my Twitter setup. Also to @peterbakernyt etal for mentioning my Watergate flashback. http://t.co/fTeNd7DTMj
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