The Sage of Washington.

This article focuses on Walter Lippmann, a prominent American political commentator and intellectual whose extensive career spanned much of the twentieth century. It traces his early experiences during World War I, his influential writings on democracy and public opinion, and his complex relationship with power, expertise, and liberalism. The biography highlights Lippmann's ambivalent stance toward democracy, his critique of popular sovereignty, and his preference for expert governance, while also addressing controversies such as his support for Japanese American internment and his initial praise of Adolf Hitler. Despite his significant impact on political thought and media studies, Lippmann's legacy is marked by contradictions, shifting views, and a persistent tension between his roles as observer and participant in political life.