Fitzwater passes his knowledge on to Presidency and the Press

by Jess Anderson
Presidency and the Press

The story of former press secretary Marlin Fitzwater remains a solid reminder that humble beginnings may beget great accomplishments and great character.

The only man to serve as press secretary under two presidents, Fitzwater started his journalistic career as a high school student in his hometown of Abilene, Kansas and followed his dreams all the way to Washington, D.C.

Despite the success he eventually achieved there, Fitzwater never forgot his roots and even offered anecdotes and answers to questions posed by student media at a conference in the Franklin Pierce University Manchester Center today.

“High school friends are the best…hang on to what you’ve got,” he said. “Don’t let them go.”

His candor left an impression on Will Welch, a student reporter attending the day’s event.

“He’s a classy gentleman,” Welch said. “He’s just very candid and funny and has a lot of class.”

Welch also said he had been expecting such an attitude based on research he’d done on Fitzwater, and would have been disappointed if the former press secretary hadn’t lived up to his reputation.

Fitzwater was also willing to share mistakes he made over the course of his terms, describing a comment he had made in regards to Soviet Russia that permanently strained his relationship with then-Russian president Mikhail Gorbachev.

Additionally, he spoke of a White House visit by Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio, two of his boyhood idols, and called the moment the greatest of his life.

“There is nothing greater than being recognized by your heroes,” he said.

His comment connected with Meghan Rimol, a student reporter. “I thought [his comment] kind of showed that even though he’s really important and has done so many impressive things, he’s still human,” she said.

“I did find [being the press secretary] an incredibly rewarding experience,” Fitzwater said, adding that he appreciated the opportunity to help his president and his country.

“Good things do happen,” he said of his rise from Kansas farm boy to respected Washington journalist.