Dana Priest of the Washington Post for beat reporting -- mostly for her coverage of intelligence matters and for the scoop on the secret CIA detention facilities;

James Risen and Eric Lichtblau of the New York Times for national reporting -- and they, of course, broke the story on warrantless wiretaps. . .but read the Iran chapter in Risen's book, State of War. That chapter alone deserves its own Pulitzer; and

Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times for Commentary,

Check the list here for others.

It's great that Rick Attig and Doug Bates of The Oregonian won best editorial writing -- but one must wonder how the Wasington Post's Fred Hiatt and his "A Good Leak" will fare against the New York Times' "A Bad Leak" next year.

Congrats to Dana Priest, Jim Risen, and Nick Kristof whom I have the pleasure of seeing around town.

-- Steve Clemons