Mike Wallace ‘very seriously’ considered a job in PR

The iconic newsman who died over the weekend told The New York Times in a 2006 interview about a job offer he entertained in the ‘60s.

Ragan Insider Premium Content
Ragan Insider Content

But in 1968, Wallace entertained a job offer outside of journalism when then President-Elect Richard Nixon offered him a job as press secretary.

“I thought very, very seriously about it,” Wallace told The New York Times in a 2006 interview. “And I finally said to Richard Nixon that I didn’t think I would be a good press guy for him because I’m not a very good person at putting a good face on bad facts.”

Wallace said he regard Nixon with “great respect.”

“He was savvy, smart, hard-working, [and he] knew that he was regarded as anathema,” Wallace said, adding that he also respected Nixon because “he was an underdog, and a loser.

“I had to admire the courage that he showed in coming back time and again and proving to the American people that they would be wise to elect him.”

To read the full story, log in.
Become a Ragan Insider member to read this article and all other archived content.
Sign up today

Already a member? Log in here.
Learn more about Ragan Insider.