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I thought the Clinton years exposed for all the nexus between big media and the Dems.Media treated politics like entertainment, and used their power brazenly to set the acceptable parameters of debate on most issuses, CNN most notably with their silly show Inside Politics.Clinton allowed them to drop their biases and be full throated advocates for their progressive agenda...Slick made it possible for them to nod and wink at abuses of power as long as the greater liberal agenda was being served.That's got to be heady stuff, being no longer constrained by fair mindedness, ethics and honesty.How can they ever go back to straight reporting? It is even worse in Canada and the UK with their state run broadcasters who act like de facto arbiters of public policy.

I mentioned to my mother this week about the Iraq children's prison story and she was aghast that she had never read or heard about on cable news or in the papers.How could such a huge story go unnoticed? Just goes to show that news is what editors and producers decide it will be.I first got a flavour of that in the first year of Reagan's term, when he'd tell the truth about the Soviets yet the media acted like it was inflammatory, hysterical nonsense.We all knew the Soviets cheated and lied, just from watching the Olympics, yet the media said it wasn't so.

Now, I just regard these people as any other group that wants my money or time.Are they good at what they do?Would you hire them? Do they have any notable expertise? NOPE!

You bring up a good point: The single distinguishing factor from the Reagan White House was their insisting on communicating the issues (and their side of it) directly to the people.

Jimmah Carter showed how not to use television and press releases (remember the infamous 'Malaise' address? Or the Windfall Profits Tax address?)

In those days, though, the networks would never refuse to cover a White House television address; now, they decide whether to cover it based on the topic and what the newsies think will be said. Still, I am very happy that Bush shows every sign of going directly to the people to get his intentions and message across -- and with cable news, the networks don't have monopoly on access anymore ;-)