Obama and the 4th Estate

It is not often that I find myself in agreement with Mr. Juan Williams, and such was this case this past Tuesday as he wrote for the Wall Street Journal, “During the Democrats' primaries and caucuses, candidate Obama often got affectionate if not fawning treatment from the American media. Editors, news anchors, columnists and commentators, both white and black but especially those on the political left, too often acted as if they were in a hurry to claim their role in history as supporters of the first black president.”

This brings to mind the role of the 4th Estate in the administration of Mr. Obama: will criticism of his politics be reported as racist by those so invested in his success? Surely the most powerful and influential man in the world should expect criticism and honest disagreements during his term. Yet, I wonder how the media will portray that disagreement. Can they show the honesty and objectiveness required of their position, or will they continue to shower him with idolatry?

Surely the President is no delicate flower being a survivor of the rough-and-tumble politics of Chicago. Clearly he can give as well as he he can take.

Bottom line: The question at hand is how the media outlets will portray any criticism of the President. Like everyone else I am just going to stand back and watch.