Russertism

I find it difficult to express the degree to which the Yglesias Russert takedown is a masterpiece of media criticism. One of the smartest, funniest, and most daring examples of the genre you'll ever read. But if I had to identify a flaw, it would be this:

Since I've complained that Russert unfairly cut off Richardson while giving McCain a backhanded sort of pass, you might suspect I'm accusing Russert of partiality. Not at all. Although Meet the Press may have a weakness for right-leaning guest panels (see Paul Waldman, "John Fund Again?" March 2006 Washington Monthly), the unbearable inanity of Russert transcends partisanship. It's an equal-opportunity bias against anyone with anything substantive to say.

As a description of the structural flaws of Russertism, this is exactly right. But in effect, this gotcha approach will always redound to the benefit of politicians and parties resting on platforms of nonsense. Progressives tend to have more "substantive" things to say, and as such the Meet the Press format is particularly deadly for them.