Agreed, Endeavor, that none of us wants the president controlling the media, That is not what I meant. The president, just by virtue of being president, attracts the media--particularly at this time. President Bush could step out and say a prayer--for Barbara; in fact Ted Olson is probably more in need of the nation's prayers at this time! I am not very worried that President Bush will use the opportunity to take over the media.
Simply at will, the president could insure that the media informs the American public about this fallen hero. Does he owe any less to his Solicitor General, to impress the memory of his beautiful and smart and good wife on the mind of the American public--merely because she objectively deserved it?
By the way, I meant to remind everyone that it was on Ted Olson's birthday that his wife's was murdered in that hijacked plane.
(Please excuse the overlooked typo on principle/principal in the article.)
I think that Bush has to be careful not to appear to favor one fallen hero over another. And too, I think he may feel that highlighting Barbara's death would appear to politicize his own personal feelings about losing her, which must be great given his closeness to Ted, and he's just not that kind of guy.
I didn't mean to infer that you were for presidential control of the media and now better understand your point.