The paper of record became, by and large, the paper of record in the American view for it's early and frequent coverage and criticism of Vietnam. They're one of the few "local" papers that had people there before Kennedy was putting people in.
That national perspective was furter enhanced by the Daniel Ellsberg affair.
Between Halberstam and Sheehans work, among many others, the paper became a paper of record (also for the record "the paper of record" refers to a british publication).
They became noticed for their willingness to be contrary, not because they were liberal or conservative.
Sidenote - A lot of Americans aren't represented by Lou Reed, who has been available nationally for 40 years but primarily writes from an NYC perspective. Nor will a lot of Americans ever think papaya juice and hot dogs are a natural pair, or that it is important to have 24 hour access to knishes and steamed pork rolls at $0.25 a pop. I personally like to watch 3 on 3 ball at west 4th while eating knishes and listening to lou reed, so I'm announcing my bias here.
tretiak
San Francisco, CA
March 2003
JUL 30, 2004 12:39 AM