"Howard David Fineman was a prominent American journalist and television commentator with a career spanning almost five decades. He dedicated 30 years to Newsweek magazine, where he held key positions such as chief political correspondent and senior editor, shaping the magazine's political coverage. He was recognized for his insightful "Living Politics" column on Newsweek.com. Later, he served as global editorial director for the AOL Huffington Post Media Group, further solidifying his influence in the media landscape."
Howard David Fineman was born on November 17, 1948. He would become a prominent American journalist and television commentator.
Howard Fineman was born in 1948 and raised in a Jewish family in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood, where his parents, Jean and Charles Fineman, worked as teachers.
Howard Fineman graduates from Taylor Allderdice High School in 1966.
In 1978, Howard Fineman transitioned to The Louisville Courier-Journal's Washington bureau after covering the environment, coal industry, and state politics.
Howard Fineman joined Newsweek in 1980, marking a significant step in his journalism career.
Howard Fineman married lawyer Amy Nathan in 1981, and the couple went on to have a son, Nick Fineman, who followed in his father's footsteps into the world of news media as a television news producer, and a daughter.
Howard Fineman joined the panel of PBS's Washington Week in Review in 1983, offering his perspectives on current political events.
Howard Fineman's expertise and contributions were recognized in 1984 when he was appointed Newsweek's Chief Political Correspondent.
John McEvoy served as a top aide in Gary Hart's 1984 presidential campaign.
In 1988, Howard Fineman wrote a profile piece on Democratic presidential candidate Gary Hart for Newsweek. The article, based on unattributed rumors and speculation about Hart's personal life, contributed to a media frenzy that ultimately led to Hart's withdrawal from the race.
Howard Fineman's responsibilities at Newsweek expanded in 1993 when he was named Deputy Washington Bureau Chief.
In 1995, Howard Fineman's role at Newsweek further evolved as he took on the position of Senior Editor.
Howard Fineman became a panelist on CNN's Capital Gang in 1995, contributing to discussions on political issues.
In 1998, Howard Fineman concluded his time as a panelist on CNN's Capital Gang.
Howard Fineman covered the intensely contested 2000 presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore.
In November 2001, Howard Fineman wrote a cover story for Newsweek featuring an extensive interview with President George W. Bush, marking the president's first major interview following the September 11 attacks.
Howard Fineman joined The Huffington Post as its political editor in 2010, contributing his extensive political knowledge to the online platform.
Howard Fineman joined the University of Pennsylvania Annenberg School of Communications as a lecturer in 2017, leading a seminar on "New Media Journalism and Politics in the Trump Era."
Howard Fineman's career took another turn in 2018 when he joined NBC News as a commentator, offering his insights on political affairs.
In 2018, Howard Fineman authored an opinion piece for The New York Times in response to the tragic shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue, where he had his bar mitzvah. He connected the attack to a broader pattern of hate and violence.
In 2019, Howard Fineman concluded his tenure as a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania Annenberg School of Communications.
In 2020, Howard Fineman served as a contributing correspondent for RealClearPolitics during the election cycle.
In March 2022, prompted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Howard Fineman revisited his experiences of exploring his family's Jewish roots in Ukraine, a journey he undertook using a grant.
Howard David Fineman passed away on June 11, 2024, after a long and impactful career in journalism spanning nearly five decades.