The Day The Mainstream Media Grew A Pair

You probably already know about the Whitehouse declaring war on Fox News. Today, Obama made his "pay czar", Ken Feinberg, available to the media pool. Except not to Fox News. The media pool reacted, finally, finally, by doing the right thing.

ABC, CBS, CNN and NBC said that Feinberg would have to be interviewed by everyone in the pool, including Fox News, or he would be interviewed by nobody. The Whitehouse had no choice but to back down. Hallelujah.

Why did ABC, CBS, CNN and NBC go to bat for the network that is eating their lunch and is vilified by their constituency, the left wing? They can say it is journalistic altruism, and that's a really good cover, but I think they are really worried about what might happen when the Republicans get back in and the Obama administration had already got away with setting this precedent. Whatever, it's a good call. I don't even remember Nixon trying this crap.

Video from - who else - Fox News (since the other networks are not carrying this story) and some biting commentary from Moe Lane:

For myself, I’m reminded again of a thought that I’ve had a few times. When you look at this administration’s performance to date, it’s like the Democratic Party went out and found themselves a caricature of everything that they complained about/hated/feared with regard to George W Bush… only this time? It’s all true.

UPDATE: Dan Riehl asks:

If he thinks he can simply shut down a member of the press on a whim, how long before he goes full Chavez? This guy's approval ratings are already terrible. Don't be surprised if they go down the tubes after this outrageous conduct.

UPDATE 2: From Jennifer Rubin (including a tidy definition of "czar"):

...the administration is doing the impossible — offending the mainstream press and forcing some of Fox’s toughest critics to ride to its defense. Nice work, fellas.