This reliance on columnists to report and explain (as the best columnists do) has spread elsewhere in the paper, but rules vary.

Such advice is what the best political columnist of the past century, Stewart Alsop, said causes politicians to become "phony tough."

The best columnists heard the music of those feelings and gave it back with perfect pitch.

The best columnists will make a good share of their readers unhappy at times because they'll write something they don't like.

Time magazine named Bisher one of the nation's five best columnists in 1961.

Ross Douthat (possibly the country's best columnist, and a Catholic):

In 2006 and in 2013, he was honored as the best columnist in Canada.

In 1942 Pegler was named one of the nation's "best adult columnists."

Indeed, in common with the best political columnists, Hertzberg keeps a vigilant eye on language.

Harvey,' he said, 'seems to be our best known columnist and greatest attraction.