The Washington Spectator
Encyclopedia
The Washington Spectator is a twice-monthly, independent political periodical with a circulation of 60,000, published by The Public Concern Foundation. It was founded by Tristram Coffin in 1971 as Washington Watch, and became The Washington Spectator in 1974.
The current editor-in-chief is Lou Dubose, who assumed the editorship in 2007. Dubose is the author of Vice: Dick Cheney and the Hijacking of the American Presidency and co-author, with Molly Ivins
, of the books Bushwhacked: Life in George Bush’s America, Shrub: The Short but Happy Political Life of George W. Bush, and Bill of Wrongs: The Executive Branch's Assault on America's Fundamental Rights. The current publisher is Hamilton Fish V
.
Besides Coffin and current editor Dubose, former editors include Ben A. Franklin, who helmed the periodical from 1993 to 2005. In the early 1990s, the Spectator distinguished itself with reporting on the sexual assault scandals of Oregon Senator Robert Packwood, who resigned his office in 1995.
Generally, every issue covers a single topic--most often, one that is not receiving sufficient coverage in the mainstream media outlets.
Recent employees include David Weigel, a reporter who specializes in right-wing fringe politics and currently works for Slate and MSNBC. Former publisher Kevin Walter now serves as associate publisher of Mother Jones magazine. Phillip Frazer
has also served as publisher of the Spectator.
The current editor-in-chief is Lou Dubose, who assumed the editorship in 2007. Dubose is the author of Vice: Dick Cheney and the Hijacking of the American Presidency and co-author, with Molly Ivins
Molly Ivins
Mary Tyler "Molly" Ivins was an American newspaper columnist, populist, political commentator, humorist and author.-Early life and education:Ivins was born in Monterey, California, and raised in Houston, Texas...
, of the books Bushwhacked: Life in George Bush’s America, Shrub: The Short but Happy Political Life of George W. Bush, and Bill of Wrongs: The Executive Branch's Assault on America's Fundamental Rights. The current publisher is Hamilton Fish V
Hamilton Fish V
Hamilton Fish is a publisher, social entrepreneur, environmental advocate, and film producer in New York City. He was born in Washington, D.C. to Hamilton and Julia MacKenzie Fish. He attended schools in New York City and Massachusetts, where he graduated from Harvard University in 1973...
.
Besides Coffin and current editor Dubose, former editors include Ben A. Franklin, who helmed the periodical from 1993 to 2005. In the early 1990s, the Spectator distinguished itself with reporting on the sexual assault scandals of Oregon Senator Robert Packwood, who resigned his office in 1995.
Generally, every issue covers a single topic--most often, one that is not receiving sufficient coverage in the mainstream media outlets.
Recent employees include David Weigel, a reporter who specializes in right-wing fringe politics and currently works for Slate and MSNBC. Former publisher Kevin Walter now serves as associate publisher of Mother Jones magazine. Phillip Frazer
Phillip Frazer
Phillip Frazer, is a writer, editor and publisher. He was a founder of the teen pop newspaper, Go-Set in 1966 which was published weekly until 1974, introducing Australia's first national pop record charts and featuring many notable contributors...
has also served as publisher of the Spectator.