A Watchman in the Night: What I've Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America

by Cal Thomas, Tom Johnson (Introduction)

Overview

“When Cal Thomas speaks, I try to listen. I’ve been listening to him for a LONG time!" — Mike Huckabee 

“For more than 40 years, Cal Thomas had a front row seat to some of America's most contentious public policy debates. And for more than four decades, Cal wielded his pen to speak truth to power and to advance traditional conservative values. Cal's stories and tales from that front row—as the watchman—are sure to entertain!” — Mike Pence

"A new bestselling page-turner." — Washington Examiner

“This is what I have done—and am continuing to do—as I seek to serve God first and then my country.”—Cal Thomas

Cal Thomas—one of the most popular syndicated columnists in the country—is America’s “Watchman” in the night.

In A Watchman in the Night, Cal Thomas takes the reader on a “road trip” through over fifty years of journalism and American life, serving as a “watchman” on culture and politics and seeking to conform it to a standard that never changes. 

A watchman “keeps guard over a building at night, to protect it from fire, vandals, or thieves.” Thomas is a believer that certain values and principles never change and has critiqued misbehavior and wrong-headedness by people on “his side” from the start. “If values and Truth mean anything,” Thomas says, “they must be applied equally. Hypocrisy and heresy cannot be ignored no matter the source.” In the book, Thomas does not stigmatize labels, such as “conservative” and “religious,” because Thomas says: “It allows people to define me and others by their perception of those labels. Ask me a question and I will give you my answer.

For over fifty years in journalism, Thomas has offered incisive, humorous and often corrective commentary to our social, political, and religious conversations. An early commitment to addressing publicly what he sees has marked Thomas’ entire career. Cal has always called both parties, both sides of the American political divide, to account, to take the high road and to honor our civic and religious ideals with compatible behavior to the very best of our ability. This increasingly “radical” approach to public life has won him many friends on both sides of the political aisle, hundreds of thousands of faithful readers of his columns, and a continuous barrage of accolades and “hate mail,” much of it charming when it is not too foul to repeat.

Cal came to the Christian faith while a young journalist at a dinner led by Dr. Richard Halverson, Pastor at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, MD, and later, Chaplain of the United States Senate. This experience informed the rest of Cal’s life as he hosted his own private dinners for members of the press and members of Congress from both parties leading to deep friendships with Senator Ted Kennedy and many others, friendships which became a hallmark of Cal’s life despite wide political differences. For over two decades, Cal has hosted the National Prayer Breakfast Media Dinner as a continuation of his commitment to the reality that a relationship with Jesus Christ can change a person’s life and ultimately change a nation, and that things of such import are best discussed over dinner. The book includes tones about faith, but focuses on American social, cultural and political currents.

A Watchman in the Night: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America is a living history of our times, of who we were then and who we are now and who we might become (for better or worse) in the future, and a remarkable chronicle of modern American life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781630062378
Publisher:	Humanix Books
Publication date:	05/09/2023
Pages:	275
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

CAL THOMAS is a journalist, pundit, author, tv & radio commentator and one of the most widely syndicated columnists in America. His fifty-year journalism career includes anchoring, reporting commentary for NEWSMAX, KPRC-TV in Houston, NBC News in Washington, and other outlets. For ten years he co-wrote the "Common Ground" column for USA Today with his colleague, Bob Beckel. Thomas began his journalism career at the age of sixteen and 2019 marked the thirty-fifth anniversary of his column. He is the bestselling author of America's Expiration Date, What Works, The Things That Matter Most, Common Ground, Uncommon Sense, Blinded by Might, The Death of Ethics in America, Book Burning, Liberals for Lunch, The Freedom Dream and Public Persons and Private Lives.

Thomas is a wide-ranging social commentator, not a "beltway insider," who supports traditional conservative values and the American "can-do spirit." A native of Washington, D.C. and graduate of American University, Thomas is married to Christie Jean ("CJ"). He lives and works in the Miami metro area.

calthomas.com

TOM JOHNSON is an American journalist and media executive, best known for serving as president of CNN, and, before that, as publisher of the Los Angeles Times and Dallas Times Herald newspapers. He was a member of the Peabody Awards Board of Jurors from 1976 to 1980. In addition, Johnson was a White House Fellow and aide to LBJ and is a long-time member of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Foundation board of trustees and a former member of the Rockefeller Foundation board of trustees. He lives and works in the Seattle metro area.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS to A WATCHMAN IN THE NIGHT: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America by Cal Thomas

• FOREWORD by Tom Johnson

• INTRODUCTION

• PREFACE

• 1984
• 1985
• 1986
• 1987
• 1988
• 1989
• 1990
• 1991
• 1992
• 1993
• 1994
• 1995
• 1996
• 1997
• 1998
• 1999
• 2000
• 2001
• 2002
• 2003
• 2004
• 2005
• 2006
• 2007
• 2008
• 2009
• 2010
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013
• 2014
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021

• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• EPILOGUE

Preface

FOREWORD by Tom Johnson to A WATCHMAN IN THE NIGHT: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America by Cal Thomas 

During my active media years, a complaint I often heard was that mainstream media is not fair to Republicans, Conservatives, and evangelicals. 

As with many media leaders, my response most often was defensive. I discounted criticism.

However, my views changed over time. I saw there was merit to the criticism that we frequently were more liberal—especially on our editorial and op-ed pages.  

I observed the decision by New York Times publisher Punch Sulzberger to recruit conservative writer William Safire as a regular columnist. That was a bold and a very wise decision.

As I rose from a reporter on the Macon Georgia Telegraph to executive vice president of Texas Broadcasting in Austin, to executive editor and then publisher of the Dallas Times Herald, and then to president and publisher of the Los Angeles Times, and finally to CEO of CNN, I had first-hand experience overseeing the news and editorial content of what I considered five of the most outstanding American news organizations.

When I became president of the Los Angeles Times in 1977, I oversaw the Los Angeles Times Syndicate. I felt that we needed to secure and to distribute a very highly regarded conservative balance. For four years, Cal Thomas had been the chief spokesman and writer for Reverend Jerry Falwell. It was his first and only departure from a journalism career that has spanned six decades. NBC’s John Chancellor once said that everyone in journalism should be allowed one trip to the “other side” and then choose on which side to remain. In 1984, Cal chose to return to and remain in journalism.

 

Willard Colston, president of that syndicate, asked me to “take a look” at several articles that Thomas had written. I did. Thomas wrote clearly and expressed his opinions intelligently. His views infuriated some of my more liberal members of the Los Angeles Times editorial page.  

 

Colston and I decided to take a chance. We were very disappointed when Anthony Day, editor of the Los Angeles Times editorial page, refused to agree to run Thomas’s column. When Day left, the Times picked up Cal’s column to the delight of conservative readers and the horror of liberal ones. Rarely has the letters section had so many responses to a columnist. 

 

Sales of Thomas’s columns began to soar. Newspapers in the US and abroad purchased it. Over time, he became the most well distributed columnist of all. He eclipsed such esteemed names as Art Buchwald and Bill Safire. 

 

I was very proud to have been a strong supporter of him. While our political views are very different, we became friends. His column added a much-needed conservative voice to newspapers, talk shows, and bookshelves.  

 

A WATCHMAN IN THE NIGHT captures so much of Cal’s life and times. I recommend it with enthusiasm, even to those of us who are more on the left-hand side than Cal.  

 

Tom Johnson

Former President/Publisher Los Angeles Times

Former President CNN

Atlanta, Georgia

January 2022

Editorial Reviews

Praise for America's Expiration Date: The Fall of Empires and Superpowers . . . and the Future of the United States by Cal Thomas

“Stunning...A sobering look at the likelihood the USA survives the various attacks and assaults that are being made against her from within our borders...Go get it!”

—Rush Limbaugh

“In America's Expiration Date, Cal Thomas offers a sobering message: that the United States is on the downward slope to self-destruction. You may agree with his analysis or not (I do not), but in view of the fall of other great empires throughout history, Thomas's injunction is well worth pondering.”

—Jay Winik, New York Times bestselling author of April 1865 and 1944

“Cal Thomas brings a lifetime of working to save America and thinking deeply about what threatens us and what the lessons of history are. If we follow Cal's advice, America's expiration date will be put off for decades and decades.”

—Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House, US House of Representatives

“I read Cal Thomas, always have, and have the utmost respect for the sincerity, depth, and insight of his work.”

—Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal columnist

“In his timely new book, America's Expiration Date, my friend Cal Thomas shows clearly that unless we in America take seriously the grim lessons of previous empires, we are very soon doomed to follow in their footsteps. But by showing us just how those empires rose and fell, he makes our vital history lesson far easier and more fun that it might otherwise be. Bravo!”

—Eric Metaxas, New York Times bestselling author of Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther, & If You Can Keep It and host of The Eric Metaxas Radio Show

Praise for What Works: Common Sense Solutions for a Stronger America by Cal Thomas

“It's no wonder Cal Thomas is the leading writer/columnist in the country today. What Works is so well done. And I think it is actually important. People say this or that article, is important, but this book really is. It is excellence on each page, written by the best.”

―Rush Limbaugh

"Cal Thomas is a leading warrior in the service of conservatives and cultural values. During five decades of broadcast and print journalism, he has been a gladiator at exposing truth. I appreciate all of his hard work, dedication, and friendship. People like Cal Thomas have urged conservatives to fight for the American people against the waste, fraud, and abuse that are so common among our government leaders. In too many cases, this disease affects and infects both parties. What Works: Common Sense Solutions for a Stronger America exposes the difficulties our nation has faced because our leaders have focused more on their careers than on solving problems. These are not undiscovered remedies, like a cure for cancer. We know what works. We have a history. In What Works, Cal reveals three key principles and intellectual solutions to address the national dysfunction that challenges all of us, no matter our political perspectives. Whether you are a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, or Independent, this book can be an integral part of improving your future and the future of those around you, as well as the future of the country we love. We as Americans need to be more involved in the decisions that affect us as citizens. This book is a step in the right direction. Cal's ideas―which, really, are old ideas that worked for our parents and grandparents―will test, enlighten, and motivate you to become more involved and influential in the decisions that govern our country. If we remember our past and focus on listening to the right people, then we can―and will―begin to solve our problems."

―Sean Hannity

"You know that old curmudgeonly uncle everyone ignores at holiday time and then someone asks him a question and you realize he knows what he's talking about? That's Cal Thomas."

―Jay Leno

"As producers of successful television programs, we know what works in our industry. Our friend Cal Thomas shows us what can work in Washington if politicians focused less on special interests and more on getting things done."

―Roma Downey, star of Touched by and Angel and co-producer of The Bible; Mark Burnett, producer of The Voice, Survivor, Are you Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? and The Bible

"No one applies common sense to America's problems better than Cal Thomas."

—Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House, US House of Representatives

"Cal Thomas's What Works offers a message of hope at this critical juncture in American history. He reveals the policies that have caused our economy to stagnate, and he makes a strong argument for reviving the commonsense principles that have made this nation great: limited government, economic opportunity, and moral truths that bind our families and culture. It is these same pillars that will lead to a renewed faith in the American Dream."

―Senator Ted Cruz

"There's a reason Cal Thomas has so many admirers on both sides of the political aisle, including people you might think would be his adversaries: he strives to find common sense with an uncommon sense of humanity, humor, and love of life. Like the actors and actresses in the Broadway musicals he adores, Cal's words sing, and the best of them stay with you like a beautifully composed showstopper."

―Bob Greene, New York Times bestselling author

"Cal Thomas's book What Works reminds us that the solutions to the nation's many problems may already have been found. He wisely suggests that before our politicians resort to tired old talking points and corrosive partisanship, they should simply look to the past (calmly) for solutions."

―Bob Beckel

Praise for The Things That Matter Most by Cal Thomas

“A man of bearing and depth, Cal Thomas writes with a passion born of confidence and the relentless pursuit of the truth. I am indeed fortunate to count Cal as one of my friends. (H)e…has done much to help me understand and expand upon my natural conservative instincts. Call him a mentor. His ability to think as an individual, coupled with his courage to articulate and promote his convictions, qualifies him as an excellent role model for anyone who seriously longs for truth and high ideals. He will make you think, which is an incredible gift. Far from preaching to the choir, Cal Thomas challenges those mired in conventional wisdom to honestly assess their surroundings and seek substantive, positive change. The man is winning converts. He is qualified to unmask sham, whether it be the Clinton administration’s claim that it represents a generation of “new Democrats,” the cultural phoniness of the entertainment industry, the misspending of taxes on programs that don’t work, the abysmal failure of 'alternative lifestyles' that have brought misery to millions, or so-called 'free expression,' which has censored all but the corrupt, the cruel, and the base. Don’t just read Cal Thomas. Absorb him. You will be profoundly enthused.”

―Rush Limbaugh

“Syndicated columnist and radio commentator Thomas delivers a message on the principal values that Americans should follow. Religion, hard work, low taxes, and a return to the ethics of earlier times are his priorities.”

―Library Journal

 

“(A) collection of articles by syndicated columnist Thomas, who considers liberalism the greatest threat to contemporary America… ‘Common sense’ is a litany in these columns… Baby boomers come under particular attack for ‘their relentless pursuit of social anarchy.’ Thomas shows no patience for those who, in his opinion, use their freedom of expression improperly… Thomas's prose is blunt, his arguments visceral.”

―Publishers Weekly

“Rush Limbaugh enthusiastically introduces this book... Rush's roots audience will easily go for Thomas, but softer Rushophiles may find him more resistible. Not because his ideals are different from Rush's or bad; few would argue that the things of Thomas' title―'faith in a personal God who is knowable, family, freedom to pursue one's dreams, and keeping most of the gain one gets through hard and honest work'―are not good for individuals and for society. Thomas is much better when he argues not historically but as a moralist about contemporary events and popular culture. Then he speaks to our hearts and souls quite effectively indeed.”

―Booklist

"Short, acerbic takes on contemporary mores from a widely syndicated newspaper columnist who views the state of the union with considerable alarm. Thomas (whose monosyllabic first name could easily stand for Calvinist) trains his fire on two targets: 'the secular, libertine vision' of the tuned-in, turned-on 1960s and the havoc that vision subsequently wrought upon an America Thomas idealizes as 'the virtuous, religious republic of our history.' Offers a heartfelt, deadly earnest jeremiad detailing how the radical anti-establishment precepts embraced by many baby boomers in their salad days have endured—and helped to undermine traditional values. Thomas accuses boomers of having unwarranted confidence in big government's capacity to solve socioeconomic problems and of harboring ruinously permissive attitudes toward drugs, pornography, sex, and even violent crime. In brief, the author's ethic centers on what he views as the bedrock graces and verities of Western civilization: church, family, community, discipline, self- sufficiency, industry, individual initiative, objective standards of good and evil, and above all, an abiding faith in God. For the most part, however, Thomas proves an articulate, principled spokesman for the conservative agenda."

―Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Common Ground: How to Stop the Partisan War That Is Destroying America by Cal Thomas

"Beckel and Thomas, political analysts and columnists for USA Today, examine the problem of political polarization by asking, Why are you reading this book? The answer: Bottom line... you are ticked off at politics. Rigid partisan beliefs, they think, have become more than a product of opposing ideologies—they have created an environment for the sole purpose of retaining political power, raising money, or making more money... benefit[ing] a few at the expense of many. Using a mix of arguments and anecdotes, Beckel and Thomas (a liberal and a conservative, respectively) assert that polarization creates conscientious nonvoters and congressional roughhousing and deceit. The book's ultimate purpose is to disarm partisan warfare by encouraging voters and candidates to align themselves with principles that directly benefit the largest possible number of citizens. The lucid political discussion between a conservative and liberal is refreshing... Their proposition that independent thinking can be more effective than an adversarial pack mentality is a step in the right direction, though."

―Publishers Weekly

Praise for Blinded by the Might by Cal Thomas

"According to syndicated columnist Thomas and minister Dobson... If conservative religious leaders are to be effective, the authors say, they must use radically different strategies than they have until now. Thomas and Dobson contend that if the Religious Right's goal is to reclaim America for Christ, it must ask itself if both God and the government are the sources of hope. They claim that the government does not have the power to force virtue on people who do not want to be virtuous. Rather, say Thomas and Dobson, the movement should be modeling the message of Jesus as they seek cultural change. Although the authors emphasize their continuing commitment to the Religious Right, they note that "we are calling for a longer-lasting endeavor than the one too many of us have devoted too much time to for too long." The book offers a glimpse into the workings of the Religious Right as well as strong comments on the relationship between religion and politics in America."

―Publishers Weekly

Praise for Cal Thomas, author of A WATCHMAN IN THE NIGHT: What I’ve Seen Over 50 Years Reporting on America

"Cal Thomas is a leading warrior in the service of conservatives and cultural values. During five decades of broadcast and print journalism, he has been a gladiator at exposing truth. I appreciate all of his hard work, dedication, and friendship. People like Cal Thomas have urged conservatives to fight for the American people against the waste, fraud, and abuse that are so common among our government leaders."

―Sean Hannity

“A man of bearing and depth, Cal Thomas writes with a passion born of confidence and the relentless pursuit of the truth. I am indeed fortunate to count Cal as one of my friends. (H)e…has done much to help me understand and expand upon my natural conservative instincts. Call him a mentor. His ability to think as an individual, coupled with his courage to articulate and promote his convictions, qualifies him as an excellent role model for anyone who seriously longs for truth and high ideals. He will make you think, which is an incredible gift. Far from preaching to the choir, Cal Thomas challenges those mired in conventional wisdom to honestly assess their surroundings and seek substantive, positive change.”

―Rush Limbaugh

"My late brother Rush and I have been frequent readers and fans of Cal's column for many years. He speaks the truth in an age that seems to have forgotten what truth looks like."

—David Limbaugh, New York Times bestselling author

"No one applies common sense to America's problems better than Cal Thomas."

—Newt Gingrich, former Speaker of the House, US House of Representatives

"I read your column. You write well."

―David Brinkley, American journalist and New York Times bestselling author

“I read Cal Thomas, always have, and have the utmost respect for the sincerity, depth, and insight of his work.”

—Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal columnist

"He has been a watchman on the wall, giving readers wisdom, understanding and prudence in the news of the day and week.”

—Russ Pulliam, The Indianapolis Star

"Modest, self-effacing and a man who got things done."

―Sander Vanocur, American journalist

“The indispensable."

―Elie Abel, Canadian-American journalist

 

"Without whose wisdom, foresight and imagination, NBC Washington might well have collapsed."

―Peter Hackes, American journalist

 

“With sincere appreciation for contributing help when it was needed most."

―Martin Agronsky, American journalist

"Over time, he became the most well distributed columnist of all. I was very proud to have been a strong supporter of him. While our political views are very different, we became friends. His column added a much-needed conservative voice to newspapers, talk shows, and bookshelves."

 —Tom Johnson, former president of CNN, publisher of the Los Angeles Times & Dallas Times Herald and White House Fellow and aide to LBJ

"There's a reason Cal Thomas has so many admirers on both sides of the political aisle, including people you might think would be his adversaries: he strives to find common sense with an uncommon sense of humanity, humor, and love of life. Like the actors and actresses in the Broadway musicals he adores, Cal's words sing, and the best of them stay with you like a beautifully composed showstopper."

―Bob Greene, New York Times bestselling author

"Where our culture gets murky, Cal Thomas shines a bright light that clarifies and inspires. Eloquent, lively, and accurate, Cal Thomas is a journalist for the ages." 

—Amity Shlaes, New York Times bestselling author of Great Society

“If journalism is the first draft of history, Cal Thomas gives us his second draft with all the wit and trenchant commentary that he has made famous. He has been faithful as America's watchman, but have enough Americans woken up to play their part in the struggle for the nation?”

—Os Guinness, bestselling author of Magna Carta of Humanity

"Like the best political and social commentators, he is intelligent and opinionated. But mean-spirited? Not Cal. He’s perceptive, funny, kind and spiritual. But don’t let those benign descriptive words deceive you; he’s also committed, tough and penetrating. You don’t have to agree with him, but you have to acknowledge that he’s a damn fine writer. I’m amazed by the sheer volume of his work and delighted that he decided to share the stories behind the columns in this fascinating journal.” 

—Pat Sajak, host of Wheel of Fortune

"You know that old curmudgeonly uncle everyone ignores at holiday time and then someone asks him a question and you realize he knows what he's talking about? That's Cal Thomas."

―Jay Leno

From the Publisher