Barack and the Press

Barack Obama just uncorked a little shock-and-awe on America’s political establishment. First African American president. Stunning landslide victory. Massive legislative majorities.

I say, congratulations.

But I also find myself hoping that journalists — myself included — will keep our feet firmly planted on the ground, declining the urge to hop on the bandwagon.

After 9/11, reporters bought into the notion that a complacent, compliant media is a sign of patriotism and national unity. We were intimidated then by President Bush’s apparent mandate.

As a consequence, we failed in our duty to inform our audiences about the war on terror and the build-up to the Iraq War. That cannot happen again.

(I sometimes wonder if President Bush would have been a less disastrous leader if we reporters had done our jobs better, forcing him to confront tough and complicated questions.)

Barack Obama deserves respect and even-handed treatment, of course.

But the press will serve him and the American people best by remaining skeptical, critical, and independent.