I think most of the criticism of Glenn's post simply illustrates his point eloquently. If the MSM politipundits on the Huckabus and the BillaryBus were more concerned about their responsibilities to US voters than their mortgages on Nantucket Island, we'd see vastly different coverage with less regard for their personal "feelings". If the US had a sociopathic candidate with tyrannical views in the running, who would you select to keep you informed: Candy Crowley or that ol' pinko Cronkite? Which would ferret out the policies & facts we need rather than succumb to the charm & warmth of a public persona?

If our so-called Free Press is the lifeblood of our democracy, Glenn & a few other select internet journalists are the dedicated donors. A good journalist is usually about as welcome as a skunk at a church picnic, and they should have learned that decades ago.

Last minor point: how much professionalism & maturity does it take to simply say "Thank you" when someone brings you coffee & bagels regardless of whether you adore the waitress or not?

Sorry, but I don't understand your point. I was a local/regional journalist for years, but without the stellar credentials of many in the MSM. I had to interview & interact with many I didn't like or respect, but I was never a participant in a "gang cold-shoulder". For myself, I would certainly have expected them to acknowledge her, at least thank her & perhaps recover from their sorority distaste long enough to ask her a relevant question. I didn't learn my manners in j-school and apparently neither did they. Is that your point? They interview dictators & torturers every day with smiles on their faces - are her bagels contaminated because she doesn't invite them to a dinner party? Are their feelings of rejection just cause for abandoning their jobs? I honestly don't understand your point.

Great post, Glenn.

Saint McCain - who is forgetful, sleeps during Bush's eloquent speeches and has regular temper tantrums - is being sanctified. That's the type of guy I'd want with his finger on the nu-q-ler button: napping, or throwing a 72-year-old cranky fit. How many Senate votes has he missed while campaigning? Great haircut, though.

It wouldn't surprise me if the next campaign pictures showed the bobbleheads on the buses in bunny slippers having a pajama party, while taking dictation with Barbie pencils (dot the i's with a heart).

The ethics detailed at the Society of Professional Journalists should help those posters (and MSM stenographers) determine the difference between reporting & commentary.

In the meantime, news reporting now means a sports fan mentality. They don't report issues, they cover teams. Many US voters (unfortunately) seem to fall for it. Rooting for their team. Facts aren't checked; rumors fly over the wall, players are courted or cursed.

Glenn's articles are terrific, but I have little hope that anything will change. Like most of you, I read the internet & foreign news.

And I also want to thank the rest of the world for having no news worth reporting during the endless US primary regurgitation.

It's been a slow two years for Europe, Asia etc. while our brave candidates have been stumping - even Congress has been tied up.

However now that we have primaries for the forseeable future, it's TERRIFIC that the rest of planet has decided to go on vacation & just watch the horse race. It makes MSM's job so much easier.

There are so many previous posts, my apologies if someone else has already made this point, however as I recall, the tape I heard said, "We're coming at you. You will explode in 2 minutes". The voice sounded quite mechanical - computer generated - to me. Also the wording is awkward for English. I wondered if it were one of those translation software packages that generates a "voice" translation, since computers don't take colloquialisms etc. into account.

The other lies this administration has told & spoon-fed the supine MSM were of equally poor quality. Their credibility was debunked almost immediately, although that never seems to stop the bombs from flying.

Since the Great Piecemaker has left the ranch to go spread more DEEMOCKRACY in the Middle East, it wouldn't surprise me at all if the neocon warmongering exaggeration festival of 2008 has begun. The aircraft carrier groups were sent to intimidate & perhaps create an "accident" & the Iranians aren't taking the bait. Stay tuned.

Of course not every interview needs to be adversarial, but every interview should be informative for the US voters which is why those Bozos are on that particular Bus in the first place.

How does McCain's "feeling good" relate to Iraq/Iran/Afghanistan foreign policy exactly? I would have loved a question regarding McCain's Reaganesque proposal to cut corporate taxes by 10% because Congress is spending too much money. Sure they are! On Bush's Bloody Wars which McCain agrees with. If we cut tax revenue whilst warring with everyone on George & Johnny's enemy list, guess what? Screw the programs that help American workers (as opposed to rich old dividend collectors) live.

Tomorrow's Journalistic 5 W's: Where's the bagels? Who delivered them? What state are we in now? When is my next camera spot? Why does Crowley get a seat up front?

It's insane. The same folks who believe that "freedom" is such a precious necessity for humanity that we should spread it all over the world at the end of our bombs, missiles & tanks - these are usually the same folks who can't let anyone different enjoy it.

If freedom is so desirable, why can only a handful be trusted with it? That would seem to make it rather a dangerous commodity, not one to be handed around capriciously.

If only a few select, holier-than-thou luminaries can be trusted to use freedom wisely and "properly", why does everyone else in the world have to die for it and pay the bills?

I hope I'm allowed to write that because those orange jumpsuits would make me look like a wrinkled pumpkin.