Editorial: Presidential shtick/What did they think a TV satirist would d

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06125/687606-192.stm

President Bush has a reputation as a "regular guy," but everyone knows he's no fan of dissent, especially when uttered by critics as acerbic as Stephen Colbert.

Departing from the clubby tone of the White House Correspondents' Association dinners past, Comedy Central's faux conservative pundit didn't tone down his material Saturday to accommodate a president who's usually sleeping when his program airs.

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Washington insiders have accused Mr. Colbert of violating an unspoken rule that the press go easy on the president one night a year. Coverage of Mr. Bush's self-deprecating skit with a look-a-like entered the 24-hour news cycle with little or no mention of Mr. Colbert's scathing monologue.

This isn't surprising. Mr. Colbert indicted the D.C. media establishment for mindless complacency, as well. To mention Mr. Colbert's criticism of the president would also have meant examining his charge of media bungling. Mr. Colbert received a chilly reception in the hall. Hacks and politicians were scandalized by his honesty and "bad manners."

What did they expect Mr. Colbert to do? It was like hiring George Carlin for his street cred, but hoping he'd turn out to be more like Yakov Smirnoff. It makes no sense. In the end, Stephen Colbert did his shtick while media royalty and Mr. Bush did theirs.

"humor" on Clinton? Didn't think so . . . closest thing I heard of an "attack" was Howard Stern's take on Imus bombing . . .

<i> Washington insiders have accused Mr. Colbert of violating an unspoken rule that the press go easy on the president one night a year. </i> Well since the press has gone easy on Bush every day for the last 6 years, a reprieve of a different sort is certainly in order.

My mind dwells in hope that the tipping point has arrived. Since Colbert announced that the Emperors Clothes were bunk, others will follow after. The moment, kairos, is upon us!