Elaine S. Povich is an award-winning Washington journalist and author of four books, including John McCain: American Maverick (Union Square & Co.). She has reported from DC for UPI, the Chicago Tribune, Newsday, and currently, Stateline. Povich is a recipient of the prestigious Everett McKinley Dirksen Award for Distinguished Reporting of Congress, among other prizes. She is an adjunct professor of journalism at the University of Maryland, College Park, a member of the Gridiron Club, and is a past president of the Washington Press Club Foundation.