He stamped with his name a tendency, a whole cluster of tendencies in American life. The name survives. To many Americans, whatever is illiberal, anti-intellectual, repressive, reactionary, totalitarian or merely swinish will hereafter be McCarthyism. The word is imprecise, but it conveys a meaning and a powerful image.

Richard H. Rovere (1915-1979) American journalist

“The Frivolous Demagogue,” Esquire (Jun 1958)

On Senator Joseph R McCarthy.