Bush and the Bloggers and What the Media Missed In-Between

Yesterday President Bush squarely took on what many conservatives would label as fringe or radical left wing groups which he suggested were overly influential within the Democratic Party. His comments with regard to Code Pink and MoveOn.org drew a standing ovation. The media reported these events faithfully and often colored the commentary by suggesting that President Bush was finally taking on these "fringe" and "radical" groups.

What the media did not seem to have the insight to highlight was WHERE President Bush was making these remarks. President Bush received his standing ovation at the well-known conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation. Now whether Code Pink or MoveOn.org can be fairly called fringe or radical is a matter of perspective, but the true story appears to be that organizations such as The Heritage Foundation could enjoy the full support of the President and serve as a podium to attack his detractors on the opposite side of the aisle. The Heritage Foundation has been tremendously influential in setting policy and filling cabinet posts for Republican presidents. The rich irony of President Bush suggesting that Democrats not be influenced by their fringe elements while speaking at the Heritage Foundation seemed to be lost on the media.

So it seems that speaking at the Heritage Foundation is a completely appropriate thing for a President to do these days. Fair enough. Would it be equally acceptable for a Democratic president to speak at a Think Progress convention? I'm not sure, but I doubt it. The media would likely comment about the associated "pandering." The NAACP and Sierra Club are probably now viewed as radical left-wing organizations.

The skew may now be in the polity. See www.skewz.com

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