As the Worldview Turns

With public opinion turning against President Bush, the news media may have also reached a "turning point on Iraq," according to Howard Kurtz. The White House has responded with a two-tiered approach: (1) attack the messenger, accusing journalists of failing to report good news from Iraq (such as the collapse of reconstruction efforts?); and (2) schmooze reporters in off-the-record briefings, where Bush asks to "chew the fat" and makes small talk with reporters about their families.