The King of Quotes; why the press is addicted to Norman Ornstein

Washington Monthly, Dec, 1986 by Steven Waldman

Ornstein has, in fact, helped make expertise agrowth industry in Washington. AEI survives on financial contributions; having Norman Ornstein popping up on television or in reputable newspapers is financially prudent. The AEI public affairs office's compilation of news clips, which is often used to demonstrate the activity of the think tank, is often dominated by Ornstein clips. He is important to AEI "from the point of view of the clout this organization has and the ability to educate the public,' says Patrick Ford, vice president for development and public affairs. "He's not here only to speak to the media, but then again that's an important role of a scholar here . . . to educate the public.'

But Ornstein has never written a majoracademic work, which is a prerequisite to being taken seriously in the academic world. Stephen Hess of Brookings says some other political scientists don't consider Ornstein a leading light in the profession. "They will increasingly speak of popularizers in humorous ways; they lose their solemnity' when they talk about Ornstein and company, Hess says. An admirer of Ornstein's abilities and the role he plays in Washington, Hess warns that he may be quoting himself into a corner. "I think Norm is a good political scientist--a very perceptive person,' he says. "If he chooses to continue to be a "serious' political scientist then he'll have to do things "serious'political scientists do.' Right now his media appearances make him the source of envy, Hess says, but in the long run, "if Norm wanted an appointment at an Ivy League school it would be difficult if he didn't refurbish his image by writing a book.'

Ornstein does try to maintain his contacts inthe professional community and is active in the American Political Science Association. But he quite simply doesn't have time to write books. Besides, he seems to be having too much fun to stop what he's doing.

Indeed, it has gotten to the point that Ornsteinhas become such an institution in Washington that quoting him has become a sort of rite of passage for young reporters, the signal that they finally have become a genuine Washington insider.

Jo-Ann Moriarty, a reporter at States NewsService, is one of the most recent to learn the importance of Norman Ornstein. She had been in town just six months and was working on a profile of Rep. James Broyhill. "Someone here said did you talk to Norm?' recalls Moriarty. "I was embarrassed because I didn't know who he was. Everyone said, "He's Mr. Congressional Comment.'' So she called him. "He was so willing to talk to me. He called me right back.' Ornstein contrasted Broyhill's political tactics with fellow-North Carolinian Jesse Helms and gave her a few pithy one-liners that she used. "I felt like an idiot for not having known to call him. The fact that I got him made me feel like I was finally learning my way around,' she says. "I just hadn't realized he was a big cheese.'

Table: NORMAN ORNSTEIN QUOTE PRODUCTION OVER TIME