James W. Wheeler

James W. Wheeler is a former newspaper columnist for newspapers in Charleston, South Carolina; Richmond, Vriginia and a newpaper chain. He is currently retired but still writes frequently.

After a quarter-century in the journalistic shadows, Murray Waas is getting his day in the sun.

The freelance investigative reporter has racked up a series of scoops. He's been cited by New York Times columnists Frank Rich and Paul Krugman. And New York University journalism professor Jay Rosen calls him the new Bob Woodward.

But Murray Waas -- whose blog is called Whatever, Already -- doesn't toot his own horn much and only reluctantly granted an interview. "My theory is, avoid the limelight, do what's important and leave your mark. . . . If my journalism has had impact, it has been because I have spent more time in county courthouses than greenrooms," he says. Murray Waas is currently attached to National Journal, but over the past decade he's written for the Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, the Nation, the New Yorker, Salon and American Prospect. By staying independent, Murray Waas says, he may benefit from the "lack of bureaucracy."