Pundit

Pronunciation:
\ˈpən-dət\

Definition:
1: a learned man : teacher
 
2: a person who gives opinions in an authoritative manner usually through the mass media
 
Etymology:
Hindi pandit from Sanskrit pandita, from pandita learned
 
First Known Use: 1672
 
It's officially political season in the United States, as we prepare for a presidential election next year. The race is getting interesting with a wide variety of Republicans vying for their party's nomination. A growing trend in media is the widespread use of political pundits.
 
My favorite pundit of all time would have to be Tim Russert, who gained fame during the presidential election of 2000, where he used a whiteboard (now in the Smithsonian) to explain the very complicated process of the Electoral College.
 

Why is Russert my favorite? Because he didn't push his ideals, opinions or agenda on the viewers. He merely stated the facts, all of the facts, and let America reach their own conclusions. This is very unlike political pundits today, who resort to on-air yelling and derogatory remarks about anyone not siding with them.
 
As you gather information about all of the political candidates, please remember that all information is subject to being skewed by the writer and deliverer. Don't let a political pundit make up your mind for you.