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Monica Crowley: The Grande Dame of the American Media

 

 

 

In 1990, the 21-year-young attractive college student, Monica Crowley, wrote a candid letter to President Richard Nixon commenting on one of his recently published books. It was a perfect timing for the young Monica, for President Nixon was searching for a new research assistant to help him with his books, his political speeches and “putting in place” his ideological philosophy on foreign policy. This letter which was favorably received by the American president changed her life for ever. Monica Crowley, this sharp, stunning, intellectual blonde and conservative Republican, was born in 1968 in Fort Huachuca in the State of Arizona, USA. Her father worked in investments in Texas and her mother served as a hospital administrator in New Jersey. “I was just supposed to work for Nixon for the summer, and then I had an internship waiting for me in Washington. After that, I was going to go to Villa Nova law school. One day toward the end of the summer, Nixon called me and asked me to come to his office for he had something to talk to me about…”

 

 Photo: Monica with Ed Rollins.

Monica asked President Nixon, “What is it Mr. President you wish to talk to me about?” In an affirmative and sincere manner, President Nixon responded, “You are not going to law school.” The young Monica replied:” Mr. President, I have already paid a deposit for the law school.” Nixon asked Monica how much the deposit was. And Monica replied: “$500”. Nixon went straight to his desk, took his check book and signed a check for the amount of $500 and said to Monica: “ Now, go to graduate school, instead.” This is how and why, Monica Crowley graduated in international relations instead of law. She did attend Columbia University for two years while still working for President Nixon.

Five years later, she earned a doctorate degree in international relations. She wrote her doctoral dissertation on the evolution of U.S. foreign policy toward China as it was developed under the Truman-Atkerson, and Nixon-Kissinger administrations. This was the advice of President Nixon which de facto proved to be fruitful and pragmatic. One day, Monica Crowley would explain: “He (President Nixon) was my boss, my mentor and he was also like a grandfather to me.”  Monica adds: “…There’s not a day that goes by when I don’t think of him, or miss him. I miss working with him and having the intellectual banter, and learning from him. I miss the personal relationship that we had, his mannerisms, jokes and his family as well, because they’re just very fine people.”

 

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