W. Joseph Campbell

In 1956, The New York Times, dismayed by wayward polls in the prior presidential race, sent teams of reporters across the nation to better gauge public opinion.

As the fear of communist subversion spread throughout America, McCarthy launched hearings that were based on scant evidence and overblown charges.

The ‘Napalm Girl’ photo is much more than powerful evidence of war’s indiscriminate effects on civilians.

Failures inspire distrust of pollsters and calls for more shoe-leather reporting. But by the next election, we always come running back.