Washington Times Opinion editor Charles Hurt talks news writing and the current state of Washington
Robert Hurt may be known for being a former representative and the current dean of the Helms School of Government, but his brother, Charles Hurt is known for his work in the news media.
On Thursday, Nov. 21, School of Government hosted an alternate convocation in the School of Music auditorium where they heard from Charles Hurt, the Washington Times opinion editor and Fox News contributor. Charles Hurt shared with students about how he got his break into journalism, the problems he sees with it now and his opinion on the impeachment proceedings in Washington.
Helms School of Government Dean Robert Hurt introduced his brother to the ConvoSelect audience.
“He brings a wealth of experience. You might have noticed we have the same last name — he is my brother. You might expect me to tell some stories on him, (but) I will not. The reason is because of the concept that … the international security professors talk about — a ‘mutually assured structure’ — so I’m not going to get into that,” Dean Hurt said, receiving laughter from the audience.
His brother, Charles Hurt, picked it up, adding to the casual mood.
“Mutually assured structure is indeed alive and well, and it keeps us safe,” Charles Hurt said.
Charles Hurt started the morning talking about his start in reporting and a need for new, better reporters to come out and take a stand.
“We need those old army posters printed up that say ‘we need you.’ If you watch the impeachment proceedings you get a real sense of why we need good reporters,” Charles Hurt said.
He advised those interested in journalism to obtain practice and experience in local stations and newspapers covering everyday incidents before trying to jump into the big leagues.
“One of the things I have started to notice today covering politics in Washington is the number of young people coming to Washington having never covered a car crash, having never covered a house fire or a fire department, anything,” Hurt said. “They come because they are interested in politics, and I get that, but they are at a distinct disadvantage because they haven’t … learned to tell stories.”
BOOK SIGNING — Following the ConvoSelect, Hurt shook hands with students and signed his new book “Still Winning,” which was published in July.
Charles Hurt encouraged the students to become good writers.
“If you are able to tell a story and convince people of something they didn’t either know, give them an opinion they didn’t previously hold or inform them of something that they didn’t previously know, then you’re going to succeed far beyond your peers,” Charles Hurt said.
Dean Hurt steered the conversation to his brother’s new book, “Still Winning,” which was published in July 2019.
“In Washington no one understands why my book is titled “Still Winning” because no one in Washington feels like they’re winning right now,” Charles Hurt said. “But there are a lot of people in America who feel like they are winning.”
Charles Hurt said he does not believe those in power in Washington are handling things correctly.
“Washington is broken, the people in Washington are not doing it right, and they haven’t been doing it right for a long time,” Charles Hurt said. “The one thing you can say about Donald Trump is he’s not part of Washington, and he comes to Washington and it is like he has to reinvent the wheel every day. He doesn’t do anything normal presidents or politicians have done.”