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Pulitzer-Winning Columnist Can't Be Pigeon-Holed

SCOTT SIMON, Host:

Congratulations. Thanks for being with us.

SIMON: Thank you, Scott.

SIMON: And I understand that you've reappraised your assessment of the prize after winning it.

SIMON: Well, you know - yeah. All those years when other people were winning Pulitzers, I just thought - I dismissed it as, you know, it's a political game, it means nothing. And I've totally reassessed that now.

(SOUNDBITE OF LAUGHTER)

SIMON: It's a real indication of quality, isn't it?

SIMON: It completely is, and I just have the greatest admiration for the Pulitzer board...

(SOUNDBITE OF LAUGHTER)

SIMON: Now that they've seen fit to recognize you.

SIMON: Exactly.

SIMON: So what's it feel like?

SIMON: So when I got the call, I was completely speechless. My hands started shaking. And you know, you're a little embarrassed to be so moved by something, but it's a lot of fun.

SIMON: Do you see this as any kind of recognition for people who are considered conservative columnists?

SIMON: Well, it's pretty unprecedented, when you think about it. The Pulitzers have often gone to more left-leaning, more liberal commentators. I mean, George Will has won one, and Charles Krauthammer. I think that pretty much covers it.

SIMON: Mm-hmm.

SIMON: My entry, which I did not put together, just covered a lot of different subjects. But among them were two abortion columns. Normally, if you had the word abortion in a column that was not pro-choice - and mine is not anti anything, it's sort of pro let's think about this - that alone would, I think, suggest that conservatives may feel a little more validated as a result of this.

SIMON: What's the role of a columnist who writes a few times a week in these days, when there are bloggers who put up something new every hour?

SIMON: First of all, I come out of the newsroom. I'm an old-fashioned columnist. That means it is, in part, personality-driven. But mainly for me, it's an essay, and I try to make it as pleasant to read as I possibly I can. I really struggle with the writing part of it. And I'm, of course, making an argument but ultimately for me, it's a little gem - and not all of them are, obviously, but that's what I am really aiming for.

SIMON: But as - I don't have to tell you, we now inhabit a media landscape in which...

SIMON: Yeah, our days are numbered.

(SOUNDBITE OF LAUGHTER)

SIMON: No question about it. I'm glad I got this before it's all over.

(SOUNDBITE OF LAUGHTER)

SIMON: Well, there are people who will tell you that you don't get any kind of attention unless you post something 20 times a day.

SIMON: Well, I think that may be true, that you get a certain kind of attention. But I'm not sure. You know, after a while, it begins to sound like background noise. I don't have 20 interesting things to say a day, and I don't think many people do.

SIMON: There are people who believe that conservatives don't have a sense of humor.

SIMON: Oh, we're the funniest people on earth. Are you kidding?

(SOUNDBITE OF LAUGHTER)

SIMON: Yeah, I mean, Chris Buckley? Please.

SIMON: OK.

SIMON: I'm actually...

SIMON: You and Christopher Buckley are very funny.

SIMON: Shoot, Mark Steyn is a hoot.

SIMON: You know, you're convincing me. Mark Steyn is very funny.

SIMON: Right.

SIMON: Kathleen, thanks so much.

SIMON: Thank you, Scott.

SIMON: And congratulations.

SIMON: It's wonderful to be here and see you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.