The speeches in the Heartland are not to "dodge the vipers" but for COVERAGE!!!
Well, yes, I said that. And unless things have changed radically in the last few months (and maybe they have, but I haven't noticed it) CNN usually carries whatever presidential speeches FOX does, along with MSNBC, or at least a portion of them. That, I guess, is what I'm referring to as the "networks."
And I would have to challenge your assertion that Bush takes questions from the Washington press corps every day. Ari takes questions most days, but not Bush. Unless, of course, there's a total blackout on Bush's remarks,(newspapers and TV) which I doubt. I haven't been watching as much daytime TV as I did before, but I do read the threads and check the White House website regularly.