Steven Pearlstein
Encyclopedia
Steven Pearlstein is an American
columnist
. He writes a column on business
and the economy
that is published twice weekly in The Washington Post
. In 2008 Pearlstein received the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary
for "his insightful columns that explore the nation's complex economic ills with masterful clarity,"
at The Washington Post.
Pearlstein was raised in Brookline, Massachusetts
, and graduated from Trinity College
in 1973. He started out in journalism at the Concord Monitor
and the Foster's Daily Democrat
, in New Hampshire
. He was the founding publisher and editor of The Boston Observer, a monthly journal of liberal opinion, and was a senior editor at Inc. magazine
for two years. Pearlstein then joined The Washington Post, where he has served as deputy business editor. Pearlstein has also worked as a television news reporter at Boston’s public television station, WGBH-TV
. During the late 1970s, he served as administrative assistant to U.S. Senator
John A. Durkin
and U.S. Representative
Michael J. Harrington
and was elected to the position of town moderator in West Newbury, Massachusetts
. As of 2008 he lives in Washington, D.C.
, with his wife, Wendy Gray, and two children.
Pearlstein was heavily criticized by Salon.com
opinion writer Glenn Greenwald
for allegedly changing his position several times on the bank bailouts following the 2008 economic crisis.
In August 2009, Pearlstein wrote a column calling those spreading lies about the content of President Obama's health care reform "political terrorists", characterizing them as misleading, disingenous and "poisoning the political well".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
columnist
Columnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
. He writes a column on business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
and the economy
Economy
An economy consists of the economic system of a country or other area; the labor, capital and land resources; and the manufacturing, trade, distribution, and consumption of goods and services of that area...
that is published twice weekly in The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
. In 2008 Pearlstein received the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary
Pulitzer Prize for Commentary
The Pulitzer Prize for Commentary has been awarded since 1970. The Pulitzer Committee issues an official citation explaining the reasons for the award.-List of winners and their official citations:...
for "his insightful columns that explore the nation's complex economic ills with masterful clarity,"
at The Washington Post.
Pearlstein was raised in Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, which borders on the cities of Boston and Newton. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 58,732.-Etymology:...
, and graduated from Trinity College
Trinity College (Connecticut)
Trinity College is a private, liberal arts college in Hartford, Connecticut. Founded in 1823, it is the second-oldest college in the state of Connecticut after Yale University. The college enrolls 2,300 students and has been coeducational since 1969. Trinity offers 38 majors and 26 minors, and has...
in 1973. He started out in journalism at the Concord Monitor
Concord Monitor
The Concord Monitor is the daily newspaper for Concord, the state capital of New Hampshire. It also covers substantial portions of surrounding Merrimack and Belknap counties in New Hampshire's Lakes Region...
and the Foster's Daily Democrat
Foster's Daily Democrat
Foster's Daily Democrat is a six-day morning broadsheet newspaper published in Dover, New Hampshire, USA, covering southeast New Hampshire and southwest Maine...
, in New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
. He was the founding publisher and editor of The Boston Observer, a monthly journal of liberal opinion, and was a senior editor at Inc. magazine
Inc. (magazine)
Inc. magazine, founded in 1979 and based in New York City, is a monthly publication focused on growing companies. The magazine publishes an annual list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., the "Inc...
for two years. Pearlstein then joined The Washington Post, where he has served as deputy business editor. Pearlstein has also worked as a television news reporter at Boston’s public television station, WGBH-TV
WGBH-TV
WGBH-TV, channel 2, is a non-commercial educational public television station located in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. WGBH-TV is a member station of the Public Broadcasting Service , and produces more than two-thirds of PBS's national prime time television programming...
. During the late 1970s, he served as administrative assistant to U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
John A. Durkin
John A. Durkin
John Anthony Durkin was a Democratic U.S. Senator from New Hampshire from 1975 until 1980.Durkin graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 1959 and Georgetown University Law Center in 1965...
and U.S. Representative
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
Michael J. Harrington
Michael J. Harrington
Michael Joseph Harrington is a former U.S. Representative from Massachusetts.Harrington graduated from St. John’s Preparatory School, in Danvers, Massachusetts, in 1954, then earned a B.A. at Harvard University in 1958 and a J.D...
and was elected to the position of town moderator in West Newbury, Massachusetts
West Newbury, Massachusetts
West Newbury is a town in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. Situated on the Merrimack River, its population was 4,450 at the 2006 census. Along with neighboring Merrimac and Groveland, it is part of the Pentucket Regional School District....
. As of 2008 he lives in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, with his wife, Wendy Gray, and two children.
Pearlstein was heavily criticized by Salon.com
Salon.com
Salon.com, part of Salon Media Group , often just called Salon, is an online liberal magazine, with content updated each weekday. Salon was founded by David Talbot and launched on November 20, 1995. It was the internet's first online-only commercial publication. The magazine focuses on U.S...
opinion writer Glenn Greenwald
Glenn Greenwald
Glenn Greenwald is an American lawyer, columnist, blogger, and author. Greenwald worked as a constitutional and civil rights litigator before becoming a contributor to Salon.com, where he focuses on political and legal topics...
for allegedly changing his position several times on the bank bailouts following the 2008 economic crisis.
In August 2009, Pearlstein wrote a column calling those spreading lies about the content of President Obama's health care reform "political terrorists", characterizing them as misleading, disingenous and "poisoning the political well".