Ryan Lizza

Ryan Lizza has been covering US politics since the 1990s, and there is not a more perceptive or articulate writer on the Washington beat today.

His deep understanding of DC policy-making, his intelligent rendering of the politicians and their behind-the-scenes Beltway machinations, make him one of the country’s most eagerly read and sought after journalists. Brian Williams of NBC Nightly News called Ryan Lizza "required reading" for anyone interested in understanding US politics.

Washingtonian magazine named Ryan one of Washington’s "50 Top Journalists," citing him as a writer who can "change the way readers see the world."

Ryan covers Washington politics and the current presidential campaign for The New Yorker magazine. Since joining the magazine in 2007, he has written revealing, often headline-producing profiles of some of the most powerful and influential people in the nation, including, among others, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Mitt Romney, John McCain, Rahm Emanuel, and Michele Bachmann.

While watching and writing about US political leaders, Ryan does double duty by reporting and producing lively commentary about political media coverage, helping readers understand what is really happening behind the easy headlines and facile reporting generated by most of the press.

Ryan has been a correspondent and editor for The New Republic, GQ, and New York magazine. In addition, he has written for The New York Times, Washington Monthly, and Atlantic Monthly. He blogs for New Yorker.com.

Ryan appears regularly on radio and television. He is a contributor at CNN, providing his insightful commentary and analysis of public affairs. Other appearances include, among others, Meet the Press, Hardball with Chris Matthews, Good Morning America, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, The O'Reilly Factor, CSPAN's Washington Journal, Tavis Smiley, and NPR's Fresh Air.

His work has been selected for inclusion in numerous annual editions of The Best American Political Writing.

Credentials

• Washington correspondent, The New Yorker
• Political correspondent and senior editor, The New Republic
• Contributor, CNN
• Correspondent, GQ
• Contributing editor, New York magazine
• BA, University of California, Berkeley

Awards

The National Press Club's Hood Award for Diplomatic Correspondence, 2011 article on Obama's foreign policy. Toner Prize for Excellence in Political Reporting Honorable Mention and a National Press Foundation Dirksen Award for Distinguished Reporting of Congress Honorable Mention, 2010 article on Obama's efforts to pass climate legislation. Finalist, National Magazine Award for excellence in reporting, 2008 New Yorker article on Barack Obama.