The Press: A Sense of When and Where

Just after he had concluded his acceptance speech at the Republican Convention, Richard Nixon was collared by a reporter. Was Mr. Agnew surprised when he was chosen to be Nixon's running mate, the reporter wanted to know. Indeed he was, said Nixon. Only one reporter had suggested that he might be picked. "The only indication he had that he might have been considered was a story some months ago by Dave Broder." Nixon was referring to the national political correspondent for the Washington Post.

Nixon's tribute came as no surprise to the Washington...