Maureen J Kelly

Maureen Dowd, born January 14, 1952, is an American columnist for The New York Times and an author. She began her journalism career in the 1970s, working for The Washington Star and Time before joining The New York Times in 1983. Dowd became an op-ed writer in 1995 and later a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine. In 1999, she was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for her columns concerning the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal. Her writing often delves into politics, Hollywood, and gender issues, characterized by an exaggerated, satirical style that has been likened to political cartoons. Dowd's work has also faced criticism, with some accusing her of sexism in her portrayals of female public figures.

Throughout her career, Dowd has covered significant political events and figures, often employing nicknames and sharp wit. Her columns have been noted for their critical and irreverent stance towards powerful individuals. She has also been recognized with awards such as the Breakthrough Award from Columbia University and a Matrix Award. Dowd's personal experiences, such as her widely reported encounter with cannabis edibles, have also found their way into her published work, sparking further discussion.

Maureen Dowd began her journalistic journey in the 1970s, initially serving as a dictationist for The Washington Star. She quickly progressed within the publication, taking on roles as a sports columnist, metropolitan reporter, and feature writer. Following the closure of The Star in 1981, Dowd transitioned to working for Time magazine. Her entry into The New York Times occurred in 1983, where she started as a metropolitan reporter. By 1986, she was a correspondent in the Times' Washington bureau. A notable early career achievement was her 1987 report, tipped off by Jeffrey Lord, exposing Senator Joe Biden's plagiarism of speeches, which contributed to the end of Biden's first presidential campaign. Dowd's foundational years in journalism established her reputation for investigative reporting and sharp observation.

In 1995, Maureen Dowd became a prominent voice on The New York Times op-ed page, succeeding Anna Quindlen. Her tenure as a columnist has been marked by a distinctive, often acerbic and polemical writing style. Dowd frequently targets political figures, employing nicknames and a critical, irreverent tone to dissect power dynamics. Her commentary spans politics, Hollywood, and gender-related topics, often integrating popular culture references and metaphors to enhance her points. This approach led to her receiving the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Distinguished Commentary, specifically for her series of columns examining the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal. Dowd's work has been recognized with other accolades, including the Damon Runyon Award for journalism and being named a Woman of the Year by Glamour magazine.

Dowd's writing style has been described as akin to political cartoons, using exaggeration and satire to capture the essence of the political landscape. Her columns are often influenced by her mother, whom she credits with shaping her humor and sensibilities. While her sharp commentary has garnered significant attention and influence, it has also drawn criticism. Some commentators have accused Dowd of sexism, particularly in her coverage of female politicians like Hillary Clinton and public figures such as Monica Lewinsky. Critics have pointed to her use of language that allegedly reinforces gender stereotypes or focuses excessively on personality over policy. Despite these critiques, Dowd's work continues to be widely read and referenced, demonstrating her significant impact on public discourse.

“She is in my head in the sense that I want to inform and amuse the reader.”

“I was just teasing him a little bit because he was so earnest and he could be a little righteous and self important. That's not always the most effective way to communicate your ideas, even if the ideas themselves are right. I mean, certainly his ideas were right but he himself was—sometimes—a pompous messenger for them.”

“While the tone of the email exchanges is undeniably gushy, I don't think Ms. Dowd did anything unethical here.”

“either Tim Kaine and [she] had a very vivid shared hallucination four years ago or Maureen had too much pot brownie before writing her column again”