WASHINGTON -- David Broder has died.

The editorial director of the Washington Post Writers Group, which syndicated his column, says Broder's even-handed approach "never wavered." Alan Shear describes him as "neither left nor right" and not even reliably centrist. Shear praised Broder's exhaustive reporting and says his conclusions were "grounded in hard facts."

President Barack Obama calls Broder "the most respected and incisive political commentator of his generation" and "an eminently kind and gracious person."

Broder also was familiar face on television. He was a frequent panelist on NBC's "Meet the Press," making more than 400 times appearances, far more than any other journalist in the show's history.

One of his hallmarks was a special effort to meet lots of average citizens. In a 1991 lecture, Broder said reporters should spend a lot of time with voters, "walking precincts, knocking on doors," to get a clear sense of their concerns.

Officials at The Washington Post say the Pulitzer Prize winner died Wednesday of complications from diabetes. He was 81.