There's something called the 'Washington Read,' which is the habit of many locals to go into a bookstore, pull a book off the shelf, rifle through the index to see if they're in there. Mark Leibovich bookbookstorecall Change image and share on social
I think that part of being a good journalist, part of being an awake member of the world you're in, is to view yourself as an outsider, and I always have, to some degree. Mark Leibovich awakedegreegood Change image and share on social
Washington has always had a pretty healthy amount of self-loathing. Mark Leibovich amounthealthylothe Change image and share on social
Washington has become this place that people don't leave. It has become this permanent feudal class. Mark Leibovich classfeudalleave Change image and share on social
I have always been a big meta guy because I think the way journalism is practiced in Washington, and the way everyone sort of cohabitates in the same fishbowl is ultimately a bigger part of the story than people outside of the fishbowl really know. Mark Leibovich bigcohabitatesfishbowl share on social
I like to be read. That's most of what any writer could want. Mark Leibovich readwriter Change image and share on social
To cover politics in Washington allows you to live in the very, very wide gap between what the actual truth is, and how people are trying to manipulate the truth. They speak in the language of spin, obsequiousness, obfuscation. The meta of politics is just this endless source of material that can shed light on the psychology of the process. Mark Leibovich actualcoverendless share on social
I violated, apparently, an unspoken rule that we are supposed to take care of our own. Frankly, if that invites discomfort, I welcome it. I don't think there's enough discomfort in journalism, especially in Washington. Mark Leibovich apparentlycarediscomfort share on social
I have been a print reporter my whole career. It's all I ever wanted to be. I specialize in political profiles. I have probably profiled hundreds of people over the years, people in very powerful positions. People don't always like what I write, but most people still talk to me. Mark Leibovich careerhundredpeople share on social
But 'This Town' is official Washington. It's political Washington. It's not the Washington that clogs New York Avenue. It's not the Washington that lives in Gaithersburg. It's not the Washington that accounts for most of the population. 'This Town' refers to the people who think they run your country. Mark Leibovich accountavenueclog share on social