Supreme Bias: #41 and Counting

Wow! Four Washington Post entries in a row! Number 44 is perhaps the biggest reach we'll see in this compilation of examples of media bias in the coverage of the Roberts nomination/confirmation process.

See also:
Supreme Bias: #1-30
Supreme Bias: #31-40

41. Chiefly Biased: In an effort to whip up some heat among thus far lukewarm Dems, E.J. Dionne Jr. used his 9/6 WaPo column as an incindiary device.

Until yesterday's announcement, Roberts seemed likely to win on the basis of his personal attributes. By raising the stakes, Bush has given the Democratic opposition an opportunity to show some spine. He has reminded senators that this is a vote not just about a smart, affable lawyer, but also about principles that could steer the Supreme Court for 30 years.

Since when does a Chief Justice "steer the court?" Rehnquist, as strong as he was, had a success batting average that would not have qualified him for the big leagues. Dionne is clearly overstating the role of the Chief Justice in a bit of pep rally journalism. "S-P-I-N-E! What are we going to show? SPINE!!"

42. Hold 'Em Back: I hate to keep the pep squad imagery alive, but I will since E.J. gets a two-fer in his 9/6 column. The issue is documents the White House has not released. There's good reason not to release them. Some have national security consideratoins, but more importantly, the release of documents in which Roberts is acting in the role of counsel would put a chilling effect on future counselors. Doesn't matter to E.J.:

Democrats, in turn, wanted more time to make the case that their requests for Roberts's past writings as an executive branch official -- documents the administration is holding back -- are more reasonable and appropriate than ever, "given the even greater importance of this new position," as Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) put it yesterday.

Most journalists, even columnists, used to balance reference to these documents, but now that it's gettng harder for them to shield their bias, it's just "holding back" -- along with a quote from Schumer to accentuate the matter.

43. E.J. Nominates Katrina to Court: Dionne scores a rare three-fer in his 9/6 column by shamelessly dragging Katrina into the situation:

There is no telling whether Bush's diminished standing from the disastrous failure of hurricane relief efforts may embolden Democrats to challenge the White House across a much broader front, including the future of the court.

What poll is he quoting when he says "diminished?" Is he saying a flawed relief effort that nonetheless ultimately succeeded in getting all but a handful of hurricane survivors to safety is a "disastrous failure" that'sto e laid at Bush's feet? Do you sense that he's looking for something, anything, that will rally the heretofore unrallyable troops? I sure do.

44. When a nominee is just too good. Richard Cohen in WaPo:

His record is appallingly free of failure.

See also Scoundrel Chronicles, Cheat-Seeking Missile's list of 139 examples of media bias in MSM coverage 2004 election.