Looking to Apply Lessons Learned, p. A1
President Bush is a politician with large ambitions and few doubts, someone not easily given to mea culpas. But in the run-up to today’s inauguration, he has at least hinted at some of the lessons learned in office. From his relations with Democrats in Congress to his approach to the rest of the world, Bush has suggested he will try to strike a different tone — without abandoning principles or policies.
In 2nd Term, No Doubt About It, p. A4
President Bush and his Cabinet nominees have been sending a firm message as they kick off a second term: no mistakes, no regret, no comment
Meanwhile, on p. A8, reporter Jim VandeHei begins his report on the (still undelivered) inaugural address by stating: “With an eye toward history and his uncertain place in it, President Bush today will deliver ….” Maybe VandeHei had in mind other presidents beginning their second terms whose place in history was already certain, but if so he neglected to say who they might have been.
Perhaps if the Washington Post did a little more reporting and a little less interpreting and analyzing, its news stories might contain more, well, news and less interpretation.
“Perhaps if the Washington Post did a little more reporting and a little less interpreting and analyzing, its news stories might contain more, well, news and less interpretation.” But that might come a little too close to defeating their purpose, no? :-)
Off-topic I know, so an apology in advance, but one must be careful not to reflexively see bias in all reporting. I read the following heading to an AP story – Bush Begins New Term, Vows to End Tyranny – and my first reaction was “Oh, c’mon! That’s really too much!” until, a few moments later, I realized it was referring to tyranny outside the U.S.