All the Truth Is Out: The Week Politics Went Tabloid

The 1987 scandal involving Senator Gary Hart marked a pivotal shift in American political journalism. Matt Bai examines the week when Hart's presidential campaign imploded after reports of an extramarital affair, documenting how media coverage transformed from policy-focused reporting to scandal-driven news. Through interviews with key players and extensive research, Bai reconstructs the events surrounding the Miami Herald's stakeout of Hart's townhouse and the subsequent media frenzy. The narrative tracks how traditional political reporters grappled with emerging tabloid-style coverage, while also exploring Hart's personal history and political career. The book follows the cascading consequences of the Hart scandal through decades of American politics and media. Bai traces direct connections between this watershed moment and the current state of political journalism. This analysis raises fundamental questions about privacy, character, and the role of the press in American democracy. The book serves as both a historical investigation and a mirror to contemporary debates about what voters need to know about their candidates.

Readers found this book offered a compelling examination of Gary Hart's 1987 scandal and its impact on political journalism. Several reviewers noted it changed their perspective on both Hart and modern political coverage. Readers appreciated: - The detailed reporting and research - Clear explanation of how political journalism transformed - Balanced treatment of Hart without making excuses - Engaging narrative style that reads like a political thriller Common criticisms: - Too much focus on Hart's personal story rather than broader media analysis - Some repetitive sections - Occasional tangents into unnecessary details Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (140+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Made me completely rethink what I thought I knew about Hart and this scandal" - Goodreads reviewer "Excellent analysis of when political journalism crossed the tabloid line" - Amazon reviewer "Could have been shorter without losing impact" - Goodreads reviewer

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✦ The book explores the 1987 scandal involving presidential candidate Gary Hart, which marked the first time private morality and character became major focuses in political journalism ✦ Matt Bai was the chief political correspondent for The New York Times Magazine when he wrote this book, bringing years of experience covering American politics to his analysis ✦ The events detailed in the book were later adapted into the 2018 film "The Front Runner" starring Hugh Jackman as Gary Hart ✦ Prior to the Gary Hart scandal, journalists generally maintained an unwritten rule about not reporting on politicians' private lives or extramarital affairs ✦ The Miami Herald's stakeout of Gary Hart's townhouse - a pivotal moment described in the book - lasted only 24 hours but fundamentally changed how media covers political candidates