Unfortunately, he just doesn’t use it [Rahm’s considerable hustle talent] the way I would prefer, all the time. (But I’m sure you knew that…)

Yup!! That qustion was totally rhetorical.

I also have my concerns because the Beltway seems to screw with powers of observation, or so it appears from flyover country. We cannot discern what force is at play that causes groupthink; a pointed example was the Libby trial, at which commenter/blogger emptywheel was credentialed, and shared with us observations of behavior on the part of media that I can only label as a form of groupthink.

Even on August 29th, while monitoring CNBC as details regarding the vice presidential candidate as yet unnamed became published, I could see a change in tone or tenor as the situation developed. At first what seemed like genuine surprise (and in the case of Greg Valliere, what appeared to be disgust and disbelief) gradually morphed into acceptance as the networks began to “own” their coverage of the story. How do we as outsiders to our own government sort out the groupthink from the media branding of coverage from the propaganda and again from the truth, when we don’t own the pipeline and have difficulty holding any one inside the Beltway accountable, whether media or government?

Thanks especially to Teddy and emptywheel for so many penetrating questions and trenchant observations. Enjoyed dakine01 and CHS contributions as well.

Learned more from each of you than from the authors themselves – too much beltway CW and credulity for my tastes. (as Peterr intimated in his fine intro). But thanks to Jerry and John for participating and enabling this discussion.

Always enjoy the book salons – best past of FDL! (thanks Bev)

Maybe for your sequel volume . . .

I was thinking that myself, Peterr!

Beautifully stated even if it gives too much of the farm away to Russert…and this book and the two authors are perfect examples of the political economy of “journalism” today and why we are fighting a third straight general election against incumbant fascism.

Thanks for a wonderful chat, gentlemen. Your book will be a valuable reference for me. It sits on my blogdesk now, and I expect it will stay there for years to come as it accumulates post-its, bookmarks, and dogears.

Of course, it’s got a saltshaker next to it, as well. *g*

Thank you, Peter, for a great introduction and chat.

Politics not news. Xenophobia of the American people? Denial? Ego-Power-Defiant Manipulation of this administration and corporations? And a 4th estate that, now that our 3 branches are so out of balance and biased by party or money, we need it more than ever, and unfortunately it has colluded and enabled.

Titillation and ratings, not honor and integrity and the common good. So much kool-aid.