William Safire

William L. Safire (born December 17, 1929) is an author, semi-retired columnist, and former journalist and presidential speechwriter. He is perhaps best known as a long-time syndicated political columnist for The New York Times and a regular contributor to "On Language" in the New York Times Magazine, a column on grammar, etymology, new or unusual usages, and other language-related topics.

Politics

Safire describes himself as a libertarian conservative. A Washington Post story on the ending of his op-ed column quotes him on the subject:

Related Topics:
Libertarian - Conservative

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:I'm willing to zap conservatives when they do things that are not libertarian. I was the first to really go after George W. on his treatment of prisoners.

Related Topics:
9/11 attacks - George W. - Treatment of prisoners

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After voting for Bill Clinton in 1992, Safire became one of the leading critics of Clinton's administration. Hillary Clinton in particular was often the target of his ire. He caused a mild tempest when he called her a "congenital liar"; Hillary responded that she didn't feel offended for herself, but for her mother's sake; according to the president's press secretary at the time, "the president, if he were not the president, would have delivered a more forceful response to that on the bridge of Mr. Safire's nose."

Related Topics:
Bill Clinton in 1992 - Hillary Clinton - President's press secretary at the time

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He is also a consistent and avowed partisan in the defence of the state of Israel.

Related Topics:
Partisan - Israel

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