In response to the ridiculous Seth Leibsohn challenge yesterday, I raise my hand and offer evidence (Exhibit No. __ — oh, who can keep count at this point?) that the press was soft on the Bush Administration in the run-up to the Iraq War.
Here’s Jessica Yellin of CNN (but formerly of ABC News*, during the time period in question) talking last night about the pressure she was under from network news execs when she was covering the Bush White House back then (via Michael Calderone at The Politico):
Late Update: The three broadcast network anchors were on the Today show this yesterday morning and Matt Lauer got them to ruminating on the coverage of the Iraq War, especially before the invasion. Only Katie Couric whole-heartedly embraced the notion that the media had been cowed by Bush’s popularity and the post-9/11 patriotic fervor:
*Late Update: Yellsin was apparently referring to another of her previous employers, MSNBC.
Later Update: Yellin clarifies her remarks.
