The NewsBusters Weekly Recap: December 9 to 15

You might think the media, given the fact that they helped engineer a Democratic victory in the midterms, and that it’s almost Christmas (sorry, Holiday), would ease their assault on President Bush. And you would be wrong. "Hardball" host Chris Matthews recently remarked that President Bush is demonstrating "messianic nuttiness." CNN’s Jack Cafferty finds it "strange" that Democrats aren’t racing to impeach President Bush.

Over on MSNBC, the reliably biased Keith Olbermann has become completely unhinged. On December 9, he smeared Bush as "authoritarian" and the "worst ever" president. But, Keith, do you like him or not?

On CBS, "Evening News" host Katie Couric labeled Bush’s new poll numbers "devastating" and "stunning."

But not all politicians are bad, especially those with that "D" next to their names. Long time ABC reporter Barbara Walters named Nancy Pelosi the "most fascinating person of 2006." And, no, the network did not bestow a similar honor on Newt Gingrich in 1994. "The Los Angeles Times" provided an even more glowing description, calling the San Francisco Congresswoman an "American Everywoman."

Another favored politician, Barack Obama, received more fawning coverage on "Today" for his ESPN appearance. In fact, most of the morning shows covered Obama’s trip to New Hampshire as if it were an inspirational movie. CBS demonstrated starry eyed admiration for the Senator, calling him "bright and fresh."

On the subject of covering liberals, CNN reporter Bob Franken found it "treacherous" and "snarky" to comment on a gaffe by the Incoming Democratic House Intelligence Chairman. This is the same network that recently assured viewers that the Democratic Party will give you more time off work.

On the celebrity front, one can always count on Alec Baldwin to say something stupid, this time the actor, who still hasn’t left for Europe as he promised, wrote a blog that smeared the recently departed Jeane Kirkpatrick and advocated for dissolving the CIA. And Showtime is airing a program that features characters discussing how Bush was behind the 9/11 attacks.