Media's treatment of Miller's shows bias

OrlandoSentinel.com:

Miller's speech had a harshness not echoed by Vice President Dick Cheney or President Bush, neither of whom could make such charges without risking a backlash.

Coming from lifelong Democrat Miller, who gave the keynote speech at the 1992 convention that nominated Bill Clinton, it was a powerful indictment of Kerry.

Of course it is relevant for journalists to question why Miller has made such a turnaround. But striking was the commentary from three high-profile network types who earned their spurs working for top Democrats.

Tim Russert, NBC's Washington bureau chief, was a top aide to Gov. Mario Cuomo and Sen. Daniel P. Moynihan, both New York Democrats. Interestingly, Russert's bio on the NBC Web site mentions his government background but not who or what party he worked for.

NBC's Chris Matthews, a former speechwriter for President Jimmy Carter and top aide to House Speaker Tip O'Neill, was by far the worst offender toward Miller, with whom he had an on-camera confrontation, ABC's George Stephanopoulos was an aide to President Bill Clinton and Democratic lawmakers.

All are good, decent people who try to put their own political bias in the closet when they take to the air. Russert, especially, has become one of the best interviewers on TV, generally treating Democrats and Republicans alike.

Of course, the networks have hired some Republicans, too.

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough, a former congressman, Fox's Bill Kristol, a former top aide to Vice President Dan Quayle, and ABC's George Will, long ago a GOP congressional staffer, come to mind.

Here's the difference, though:Kristol, Scarborough and Will make no bones about their politics, and they are not foisted off on viewers as impartial analysts. Their job is to give a Republican, conservative perspective, and they are advertised as such.