Never look for the story in the 'lede.' Reporters are required to put what's happened up top, but the practiced pundit places a nugget of news, even a startling insight, halfway down the column, directed at the politiscenti. When pressed for time, the savvy reader starts there.
Tags: down, never, look, time

Other Quotes by "William Safire"

Previously known for its six syllables of sweetness and light, reconciliation has become the political fighting word of the year.
Tags: year, fighting, political, light
If you re-read your work, you can find on re-reading a great deal of repetition can be avoided by re-reading and editing.
Tags: editing, great, you, work
When infuriated by an outrageous column, do not be suckered into responding with an abusive e-mail. Pundits so targeted thumb through these red-faced electronic missives with delight, saying 'Hah! Got to 'em.'
Tags: delight, got, through, saying
The right to do something does not mean that doing it is right.
Tags: does, something, right, doing
One challenge to the arts in America is the need to make the arts, especially the classic masterpieces, accessible and relevant to today's audience.
Tags: classic, america, challenge, today
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