Speaking of media credibility, I forgot to mention how the administration paid a right-wing commentator named Armstrong Williams to promote its so-called No Child Left Behind law. Naturally, Williams made no mention of this connection when promoting it. And not surprisingly, he said he still would've supported the law even without the payoff.
Perhaps. I don't mind partisans promoting their pet causes, but I think they should be straight-forward about it. When the Democratic National Committee chairman goes on TV to bad mouth Bush and talk about Democratic ideas (such as they are), I know he's being paid to promote the Democratic agenda. It's his job. I can take it or leave it based on this knowledge. But full disclosure is important to determining credibility.
Curiously, two Fox News commentators slammed Williams for his alleged indiscresion: making money. A curious thing for conservatives to criticize. In fact, the true crime (quite possibly in the legal sense) was committed by the administration's use of tax dollars to pay off so-called journalists.
The White House says that this was an isolated incident.
Williams himself, said "This happens all the time."
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