For McCarthy, Eisenhower’s election was the beginning of the end. On election night, as the returns came in, Phil Graham, the publisher of The Washington Post, turned to Murrey Marder, the Post reporter who had distinguished himself with his intelligent and thorough coverage of the senator, and told him he was going to lose his beat. Graham was sure that Ike’s presidency would eventually mean McCarthy’s isolation; now that the Republicans had the White House, they would not need McCarthy any longer. But Marder knew McCarthy’s recklessness and his hatred of authority. Party loyalty was not even
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