Page 72 - Historical Dictionary of Political Communication in the United States

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HAGERTY, JAMES CAMPBELL (1909-1981), press secretary to President
Dwight D. Eisenhower, set a precedent for frank discussion of a president's
illness when he disclosed the complete details of Eisenhower's heart attack in
1955. Instead of following the tradition of attempting to conceal a health crisis,
Hagerty made a point of giving timely and accurate information to the public.
In doing so, he established a policy followed by subsequent administrations,
except in the case of President John F. Kennedy, whose back ailment and general
physical condition were not publicized.
Serving as press secretary during Eisenhower's two terms from 1953 to 1961,
Hagerty established a reputation for innovative and successful news management
based on extensive experience. Before taking the White House position, he had
been a political reporter and political aide, first covering the New York legis-
lature for the New York Times and then working as an assistant for Governor
Thomas E. Dewey, who twice ran unsuccessfully for president on the Repub-
lican ticket.
A graduate of Columbia, Hagerty was the son of James A. Hagerty, chief
political reporter of the New York Times. Enjoying a close relationship with
Eisenhower, Hagerty allowed the president to be quoted directly at his press
conference, a break with past policies. He also opened the conferences to tele-
vision cameras for the first time. A champion of small newspapers and broadcast
stations, Hagerty sent tapes of press conferences to small-town stations and
called correspondents with breaking stories. He prided himself on candid deal-
ings with the press.

SOURCES: Robert H. Ferrell, ed., The Diary of James C. Hagerty, 1983; Andrea B.
Wagner, "A Study of Political News Management during a Presidential Health Crisis,"
M.A. thesis, University of Maryland, 1988.
Maurine H. Beasley