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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The Revolving Door of Media and Politics

In our chapter on mass media, we discuss the "revolving door" between journalism and professional politics. Some top journalists, including George Stephanopoulos, Pete Williams, and the late Tim Russert, started as staffers. Some major political figures, including Obama strategist David Axelrod, started in the pressroom. (At least 13 other Obama officials have backgrounds in journalism.)

The Politico describes the latest participant:

Fox News host Bill O’Reilly told his viewers that his guest Tuesday night will be “the most charismatic politician in the country right now, with the possible exception of President [Barack] Obama.”

What exactly is Sarah Palin — a future presidential candidate or a future pundit? Her new job as a Fox News contributor, which starts tonight, gives her the option, and also sets up the possibility of her attempting a unique path to the Republican presidential nomination.