Three Cheers for Howard Fineman
Howard Fineman's "The physics of unaccountable power" is a must-read. Says Fineman, "Several media, political and Washington vectors intersected to create an explosive Rove Reaction." Those vectors include 1) the main stream media's regrets over it's pre-Iraq War coverage: "there has been a lot of soul searching in the so-called Main Stream Media (MSM) over its performance, or lack of performance, in the months leading up to the American-led ouster of Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq." 2) the iron fist with which the Bush administration attempts to control press relations: "George Bush’s theory of press relations is pretty straightforward: Control the message with military precision, and never waver." 3) the amount of unaccountable power invested in Karl Rove: "He is The Architect, at least according to George Bush. He talks to reporters only if and when he pleases, and under the conditions he demands. How to call him on a carpet, ANY carpet?...This is how." 4) Because this is not campaign season, the MSM is less afraid of seeming partisan: "It’s the second term. Think Clinton and Monica." 5) Fox vs. the rest of the media: "By dividing the press corps into Red versus Blue — and talking only to the Red — administration strategists are inviting attacks from one side." (Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8562223/page/2/)
