best political columnists to read?

Question

I am an 18 year old high school senior who doesn't want to enter college totally oblivious to American politics. I'm naturally very liberal, but I want some different viewpoints to get some objectivity here and there.

I usually frequent Frank Rich at NYTimes and usually get in All Things Considered on NPR at least three to four times a week.
Anyone else somebody can recommend?

Answer 1

One of the biggest problems with being a liberal in college is that you're surrounded by other liberals. This means that your ideas are rarely if ever challenged or tested. I'm conservative and see nothing wrong with being a liberal, as long as you're not an intellectually dishonest or lazy liberal.

That said, I'm impressed with your question and willingness to explore opposing viewpoints. I'd recommend:

Ann Coulter (remember, she prides herself on being a satirist and polemicist)

Michael Medved

Michelle Malkin

Thomas Sowell

Charles Krauthammer

William F. Buckley, Jr.

Some of these and many others can be found here:

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/

and here:

http://www.conservativechronicle.com/columnists/

You might also be interested in some talk radio programs. If nothing else, you'll learn there is a lot of disagreement on the other side of the aisle, and yes, there are a lot of conservatives who don't like President Bush.

I'd recommend Laura Ingraham, Michael Medved (who mostly just takes callers who disagree with him), Tammy Bruce, Hugh Hewitt and Rusty Humphries. Rush is okay but he tends to repeat himself through his broadcast so you really only need about 15 minutes.

Answer 2

Nat Hentoff, of the Village Voice (formerly of downbeat).