IN MY SHOES: What It’s Like To Be An “Oppo” Researcher
Highlights of a New York Times Q&A with Stephen Marks, who wrote “Confessions of a Political Hitman”:
Deborah Solomon: What led you to write your new book … which chronicles your rather unsavory career as a Republican Party operative who was hired in hundreds of political campaigns to dig for dirt on Democratic candidates?
Stephen Marks: I wouldn’t use the word unsavory. The voter has the right to know the history of any candidate in order to make the most educated vote.
DS: Why do you make yourself sound as benevolent as a reference librarian?
SM: Because opposition researchers perform a needed public service.
DS: [D]o you have any moral qualms about the work you do?
SM: No. Negative politics have been going on since the beginnings of our democracy, when politicians had shootouts to settle their differences.
DS: [Y]ou … write about an alarming number of one-night stands.
SM: That’s kind of trashy-sounding. I would prefer to say I haven’t yet found the right woman to settle down with.
Thanks for the post! - Stephen
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