John McLaughlin does not suffer from nerves before he goes on television every week, but sometimes he does get hot and bothered if things don’t go according to plan. Clipboard in hand, he was striding about the lofty TV studio in northwest Washington, trailed by aides who were expected to meet any contingency. “Mark!” he barked. “Where’s Mark?” By his side, attentive and dutiful. In a few minutes The McLaughlin Group would be televised. Its regulars, Morton Kondracke of Newsweek, and syndicated columnists Robert Novak and Jack Germond, were in their chairs. McLaughlin is a busy man. After this half-hour talk show he would be interviewing Senator Lloyd Bentsen for his other weekly TV program, One on One. McLaughlin also does a weekly commentary for National Public Radio, gives about 75 speeches a year, and of course writes “From Washington Straight” for NR.
“I’m not saying this is cruising speed,” McLaughlin, 58, said. “But I can see the use of that limo.”
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