NEW YORK — Former Watergate sleuth Carl Bernstein took to Twitter to list the names of 21 Republican senators who he says have "repeatedly expressed contempt" for Donald Trump and his fitness to be president.
Bernstein's post was condemned Monday by some of those involved. It was an eyebrow-raising modern twist on journalism from the former Washington Post reporter who, with partner Bob Woodward in the 1970s, penned scoops that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.
Bernstein said he wasn't violating any confidentiality pledges in listing the senators. He said he learned of the politicians' supposed private feelings through conversations with some of their colleagues, staff members, lobbyists and White House aides.
"With few exceptions, their craven public silence has helped enable Trump's most grievous conduct — including undermining and discrediting the U.S. electoral system," he tweeted late Sunday.
Bernstein, a CNN political analyst, declined a request to talk about his posts.
Many Washington reporters have talked about lawmakers who have privately expressed reservations about Trump but rarely attached names to their stories. Bernstein said he believed several of the Republicans on his list were privately happy about Democrat Joe Biden's victory.
Michael Zona, a spokesperson for Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, who was on Bernstein's list, said the characterization was untrue.
"Sen. Grassley has been a strong supporter of the president and at the same time has made it no secret when he disagrees with the president," Zona said. "There is no difference between what Sen. Grassley says publicly and privately. Washington journalists might be wise to reconsider trafficking in baseless second- and third-hand rumor. It may restore some lost credibility."
