Joe Klein facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joe Klein
|
|
|---|---|
Klein at the 2011 Time 100 Gala
|
|
| Born | September 7, 1946 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation |
|
| Education | Hackley School University of Pennsylvania |
| Period | 1969–present |
| Subject | American politics |
| Spouse |
Janet Eklund
(m. 1967–1975)Victoria Kaunitz |
| Children | 4 |
Joe Klein (born September 7, 1946) is an American writer and political expert. He is well-known for writing columns for Time magazine. He also wrote a famous novel called Primary Colors. This book was a fictional story about Bill Clinton's run for president in 1992. Klein has also written for other major newspapers and magazines.
Contents
Early Life and Writing Career
Joe Klein was born in Rockaway Beach, Queens, New York. His father was a printer. Joe graduated from the Hackley School and then the University of Pennsylvania. He studied American history and culture.
Starting as a Reporter
In 1969, Klein began his career as a reporter. He worked for local newspapers in Massachusetts. Later, he reported for a TV station in Boston. He also worked as a news editor for The Real Paper.
From 1975 to 1980, he was a contributing editor for Rolling Stone magazine. He even became their Washington bureau chief. During this time, he appeared briefly in a movie called Billy Jack Goes to Washington.
Writing Books and Columns
Klein wrote a book about the musician Woody Guthrie in 1980. He also wrote Payback: Five Marines After Vietnam in 1984. From 1987 to 1992, he was a political columnist for New York magazine. He won an award for his reporting on the 1989 New York City mayoral election.
In 1992, he joined Newsweek magazine. His column there, "Public Lives," won an award in 1994. Newsweek also won an award for its coverage of Bill Clinton's 1992 election win. Klein also worked as a commentator for CBS News from 1992 to 1996.
Primary Colors: A Secret Novel
In January 1996, Joe Klein published a novel called Primary Colors: A Novel of Politics. He published it without using his name, so the author was listed as "Anonymous." The book was a fictional story based on the 1992 Democratic presidential election.
Who Wrote It?
The book became a huge bestseller. Many people wondered who the secret author was. Some people, including a professor named Donald Foster, guessed that Klein wrote it. They looked at his writing style to figure it out.
At first, Klein denied writing the book. He even said in Newsweek that someone else must have written it. However, on July 17, 1996, Joe Klein finally admitted that he was the author.
Later Career and Political Commentary
In December 1996, Klein started writing for The New Yorker magazine. In 2000, he published The Running Mate, which was a follow-up to Primary Colors. In 2002, he wrote The Natural: Bill Clinton's Misunderstood Presidency. This book looked at Bill Clinton's time as president.
Writing for Time Magazine
In January 2003, Klein joined Time magazine. He started writing a column called "In the Arena." This column covered important national and international news.
Klein also wrote for Time's online blog, Swampland. He often wrote about politics and current events. Sometimes, his columns led to discussions and corrections from Time magazine.
Views on Drone Strikes
In October 2012, Klein discussed U.S. drone strikes on a TV show. He said that the main goal was to prevent harm to children in the U.S. He believed that drone strikes helped limit the chance of terror attacks at home.
Reporting on Tornado Relief
In June 2013, Klein wrote a cover story for Time about tornado relief efforts in Oklahoma. He later clarified his comments about who was helping with aid.
Article on Tuscaloosa
In October 2014, Klein wrote an article for Time called "Shut down in Tuscaloosa." He interviewed people from the University of Alabama. Some of those interviewed later said there were mistakes in the article, like misquotes or wrong names.
Political Views and Ideas
In the 1990s, Klein wrote an important article for Newsweek. It talked about "radical centrism," which is a political idea. He suggested that this movement was trying to create new ways of thinking beyond traditional liberalism and conservatism.
Views on Clinton's Presidency
In his book The Natural, Klein gave a mixed review of Bill Clinton's time as president. He also explored the ideas of the Democratic Leadership Council. This group supported moderate Democratic positions. Klein generally thought highly of these "third way" politics.
Critiques of Media
In January 2011, Klein appeared on CNN. He criticized how some media outlets handle complex issues. He felt that some shows oversimplified important topics.
Personal Life
Joe Klein was first married to Janet Eklund from 1967 to 1975. They had two children, Christopher and Terry. As of 2009, Klein lives in New Rochelle, New York. He is married to Victoria Kaunitz, who designs swimwear. They have two children, Sophie and Teddy.
See also
- Afghanistanism, for his comment on the subject
