Last time I lectured on Joe McCarthy, several students came up after to ask if I’d written it with Donald Trump in mind, because they saw so many comparisons between the two men.
I’d written it six years earlier and hadn’t changed a word.
I’d written it six years earlier and hadn’t changed a word.
As @TheTattooedProf noted briefly here, the two had quite a lot in common.
McCarthy's basic pattern was to (1) make a wild accusation and generate headlines, but (2) refuse to offer any real proof and accuse critics of being an enemy of America, and then (3) quickly move on to *another* wild accusation before anyone can really dig into the first.
He even had a habit of giving his political opponents lame nicknames.
When Missouri Democratic Senator Stuart Symington exposed his dirty tactics -- faking letters, doctoring photos -- in the Army-McCarthy hearings, McCarthy responded by mocking him as "Sanctimonious Stu"
When Missouri Democratic Senator Stuart Symington exposed his dirty tactics -- faking letters, doctoring photos -- in the Army-McCarthy hearings, McCarthy responded by mocking him as "Sanctimonious Stu"
But eventually, McCarthy's critics refused to be bullied.
Famously, Edward R. Murrow of CBS stood up to him, using his "See It Now" program to expose McCarthy's lies and smears and to shame him for it all:
Famously, Edward R. Murrow of CBS stood up to him, using his "See It Now" program to expose McCarthy's lies and smears and to shame him for it all:
Meanwhile, the Army-McCarthy hearings -- which came about because McCarthy charged that there were secret traitors in the military establishment -- also witnessed a famous moment when lawyer Joseph Welch called McCarthy out for his unhinged attacks:
After the hearings, McCarthy's spell on the country was broken. Senate voted to censure him by a 67-22 vote, with 22 GOP members for it.
The White House cut him off. In 1956, McCarthy tried to join VP Nixon at a rally. Aides made him leave. He was found crying outside.
The White House cut him off. In 1956, McCarthy tried to join VP Nixon at a rally. Aides made him leave. He was found crying outside.
Already an alcoholic, McCarthy turned even more to his drinking. In May 1957, he died of a liver condition. He was just 48 years old.
McCarthy's hatchet man Roy Cohn lived on for a while, though, and eventually found a new guy to advise.
McCarthy's hatchet man Roy Cohn lived on for a while, though, and eventually found a new guy to advise.
Somehow this thread has already broken apart.
Here's the whole thing thanks to @threadreaderapp: threadreaderapp.com/thread/1031214…
Here's the whole thing thanks to @threadreaderapp: threadreaderapp.com/thread/1031214…
