Fred Barnes is executive editor of The Weekly Standard, the weekly conservative magazine that began publication in September, 1995. He writes about politics, congress and the media.

Mr. Barnes is host, along with Mort Krondracke, of The Beltway Boys on FOX News Channel. He was a regular panelist on The McLaughlin Group for ten years and also appears as chief correspondent on the PBS series National Desk. He is known for his humor and his sharply worded exchanges with other panelists. Mr. Barnes and Bob Beckel engage in political commentary and debate on CBS This Morning. He is also moderator of the Voice of America Show, Issues in the News, and hosts a weekly radio show on the media, What's the Story?

The Media Guide, edited by Jude Wanniski, gave Mr. Barnes four stars, its highest rating. The Guide called him "a great political reporter-columnist whose material is 'exquisitely timed,' Mr. Barnes is a wildcatter, he shuns sure things and develops offbeat ideas that are worthwhile even if they turn out to be dry holes." Insight magazine called Mr. Barnes "a trendsetter without slitting a single throat or having to change his hat size, he has quietly become one of Washington's prominent pundits."

Fred Barnes stimulates audiences to consider the many changes affecting the nation's political landscape. His quick wit and invaluable insight make for an entertaining, yet informative speech.