Barnes: "He's worked for a bunch for politicians. That puts him in a different category."

Apparently the same category as Russert, Stephanopolous, Buchanan, Gergen, etc.

By the way, how is this a flap? Sirota is denied credentials because he's a political operative, so he gets a pass from a member of Congress (just like all those staffers/political operatives have). It actually sounds like he followed the rules.

This is a controversy created on this blog and nothing more.

Barnes makes one good point. He states that he "believes the press galleries ought to give Sirota credentials to cover Congress. "I think their rules shouldn't be so cramped that they can't make accommodations for people like Sirota. Even if he is an activist. In this case, he's a journalist writing a book."

It's a shame Mary Ackers of the Washington Post is making a big deal out of this -- it seems like she's the only one that has a bee in her bonnet. Sure would be nice if she'd report on things that, you know, matter?

Still avoiding the issue and shilling for the Republican establishment, Mary Ann?

No comment on Human Events getting credentials? The Evans-Novak report?

No comment on your deafening silence at the time of the Gannon affair -- a (former?) male prostitute who got credentials to the White House as a reporting while working for a Republican propaganda fly-by-night outfit? (And made some 200 visits to the WH, including many on days when there was no presser...)

"The Weekly Standard writer and Fox News Channel contributor said he thinks he and Sirota are in a different league professionally."

He would say that, wouldn't he? And his list of newspaper jobs is beside the point, particularly when the only reason the Weekly Standard and New Republic might be considered "a part of mainstream journalism" is that their proprietors sucked up the losses in order to keep them in print. These days, the Press doesn't need a press.

Plus, y'know, Jeff Gannon. The topic might grate on you, but it's not easily forgotten.

Two words for you: Jeff Gannon.

The MSM not only accepted the male prostitute-cum-journo into their ranks, but also buried the story of his free access to the White House when he was outed. If they can accept and embrace a male hooker into their midst, Sirota, a qualified journalist, should be more than welcome.

In These Times is an award-winning magazine that Sirota has contributed to for many years. Barnes contributes to Fox, a right-wing propaganda operation that some people call news. After Judy Miller in bedded herself, not to mention Jeff Gannon's Washington adventures, its a wonder anyone takes the press seriously....except the press themselves. This flap shows just how ridiculous the press has become. But Barnes is right about one thing. He is not on Sirota's level. He is a pathetic corporate shill who does his corporate masters' bidding.

Mary Ann: I would respectfully repeat my request of you to stop deliberately distorting this silly story. Specifically, I told you that I asked for the credential in order to report an article for In These Times - not for my book. Paperwork to this effect was filed with the press gallery weeks ago. Additionally, I'm not sure why you keep trying to portray me as having pulled some "trick" when you yourself reported that the head of the press gallery actually told me to obtain an intern pass.

For someone who seems to be so interested in the business of journalism, it would seem you are not very interested in actually practicing journalism.

It is wearisome to constantly read the transcription from the White House by the majority of White House press.
A country that professes freedom needs to have a transparent government with access to all the information that belongs to the PUBLIC not just a handful of obedient transcriptionists.
Mary Ann, move your rear end out of the way of real jounalists like David Sirota!

David Sirota is one of the most intelligent political observers currently working. If he was denied credentials, then there is something terribly wrong with the system.

The sins of the media are never ending, and I'm personally sick to death of them. There's no question that Mr. Sirota should have gotten the credentials he is qualified for. Amen

I frequently rely on David Sirota for original reporting on Congress (www.davidsirota.com). I am a trade lobbyist, and will note that David has broken stories on closed-door sessions of Congress, which were later picked up by the Wall Street Journal, National Journal and Bloomberg News. He has a core level of support amongst industry/labor/trade activists as a conduit of information, and is definately worthy of full press credentials in my estimation. He is the only public source I know of that posted a letter from 39 Freshman House Democratic members on trade on his website, almost immediately. Moreover, his level of knowledge allows him to ask questions that other people would not be able to ask. I have had former senior government officials and industry officials ask me for blogs on trade policy they could read daily in order to tap into the "net-roots" -- and I gave them one recommendation -- David Sirota.

Good to be here

Great Site

This Is In Reference To A Post I Saw Two Days Ago

What can you say about link exchange with relevant sites?
Just try to optimize myself. I guess i nedd links from high pr sites in order to rank well

It amazes me that rather than respecting a democratic tradition of transparent government (which the media purports to care about), the reporters who Congress allow to control the credentialing process clearly abused their power by excercising it to deny access to Sirota. If they can do this to Sirota, then they are very likely to do it to others. They did it in order to preserve their control on the flow of public information pertaining to the operation of our government.

Well, they ALL are partisan. In fact, I would argue if that were the only basis for denying a reporter access, then Sirota should have MORE access given that if you read his book and his articles regularly, you find he comes out swinging against both Democrats and Republicans...which isn't true of the other partisan reporters. As an independent most of my life, I don't see much difference between Republicans and Democrats but a huge difference between populists and corporatists...regardless of political affiliation.

I think the real issue is they don't want power of the people. This isn't really about political affiliation, it is about corporate power versus the people's right to free press. If Sirota was a hard core Democrat, but a corporate Democrat, I would bet they would have easily given him access.

I say give much more access to any reporter, blogger, journalist, partisan hack, etc....as long as they pass the security check. The diversity of views is a good thing. And if all they write is propaganda, at least we can have so many different viewpoints we will be forced to think for ourselves and not be spoon-fed one ideological bent.

Frankly, I really don't like this elite group playing God and taking the people's tax dollars and using it to limit our voice and access to our own Congress. They don't deserve to be the gatekeepers to our access.

David Sirota is an established political journalist who poses no known security risks - except maybe to Capitol Hill doubletalkers .

Denying him a press pass to the US Capitol, so he can report on newly elected congresspersons, sounds like a edict issued from the Soviet Ministry of Information.

Whoa! Lets not switch sides here so quickly. You who are the professional jounalists should be the one exploding this situation. It has more effect on you as do, say, my opinion. And those are the facts. Can not you look beyond being on the bandwagon so that your mortgage, assets tax on condo, leased cars, summer vacations and raises continued to flourish. It is a sad day when this new gong-ho so call Bush Administration did when they came to be. We are a sell out nation now all for the almighty dollar! May history explodes the ruins of the Roman Empire or hey is this the era of OMEN IV - FINAL DESTINATION. Well, I will not go that deep, but I will say if the american public continue to sleep and do not demand accountability from this government and medial included - This country will be third in Nation wealth and preplexed with a weaken govenment because some nut who seek in office in 2000 decided to dismantle the constitution and lop-sided Americas most important amendment Freemdom of Speech - regardless race, creed, color or political party for that matter!

So, I guess The Sleuth is trying to take over for Wonkette? The gossip column of the beltway? Note to the Sleuth, Wonkette is tanking since Anna Marie Cox left. The guys there just can't cut it anymore since there are much more interesting blogs to read.

I hear Helen Thomas may be losing her front row seat.

One of the most blatantly partisan sites I read is Little Green Footballs. And you know what? I think that guy should get credentials if he wants them too.

-Open access.
-Free press.
-Democracy.

"The Weekly Standard writer and Fox News Channel contributor said he thinks he and Sirota are in a different league professionally."

Well, he is correct there. The Weekly Standard sucks! When I cancelled my subscription, the continued to send it to me for 2 more years and it had gotten so bad, I kept giving the issues away without bothering to read them.

So, on that point I agree. David Sirota is in a much high league.

Having grown up on the Wash Post in the 60s and 70s, I now am saddened and amazed at how distorted and often grossly inaccurate its reporting is. Unfortunately, this is the case of most mainstream media, including the reporting of many apparently well-intentioned reporters that I know personally. I do not trust the Post.

On the other hand there is a VERY tiny group of JOURNALISTS who have proven themselves in regards to honesty, accuracy, discernment, integrity, and judgement. Near the top of that pack is David Sirota. By all means, he deserves full press credentials.

Gee Mary Ann, you are on some high horse here to suggest that Sirota isn't a journalist to begin with. Its disgusting how the MSM tries to judge their peers, and David is your peer, like it or not. He writes for numerous sites and publications. The fact that he writes books and formerly was a politico has nothing to do with this issue. Its the MSM that appears to be their own worst enemy here and on other issues. This shouldn't BE an issue. The Elitist Press s.o.b.'s need to get a clue and quit playing games. Allowing Sirota to enter as a journalist shouldn't be an issue..what the real issue is: why would anyone question his credentials and his motives? Its disgusting on every level.

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David Sirota is a first-rate political journalist who deserves access to the US Capitol. His should be a constitutionally protected access, accorded to him as is accorded other legitmate journalists.

Karita Hummer
San Jose, CA

You get paid for that? Amazing. since when is gaining access an "end-run"?

You know, I took junior high journalism 50 years ago, and I still remember the journalistic code of ethics.

Since when did it become de rigeur for reporters and other self-described journalists to become so cozy with their sources, as I have seen repeated over the past few years, and as revealed in the Lewis Libby trial and the resignation of Judith Miller from the New York Times?

I read people like David Sirota and others precisely because they are not "insiders" and can therefore be objective and not have to worry about their "relationships" with sources by telling the truth.

But, since when did not being an "insider" prevent a journalist from access to a source, especially when he or she is reporting on the business of The People?

You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.

"We decided to ask Barnes what he thought."
Gee, what a surprise. Barnes thinks he is OK because he is MSM and Sirota is a blogger. That is just how you do the news. Lets ask Bush! Then you print whatever he and your corporate boss tell you too. I think you MSM types are high paid partisans hacks who have forfeited all right to any claim of professional journalists. As such, you have no business deciding who gets a pass. In fact, this is absolutely something that Sanders and the Dems need to change. It is our Congress, not yours.

There is no legitimate reason for an excellent journalist like David Sirota to be denied a press credential. This is Beltway insiderism taken to an absurd extreme.

The broad access of the press and journalists of all types is the vanguard of transparency, fairness and responsibility to the people whom the government is supposed to serve. There is nothing that can preserve our democracy any better than keeping the public informed about what goes on in the halls of our government buildings. Depriving any legitimate journalist, whether a blogger, newspaper reporter, or broadcast media journalist, does nothing to preserve this most important quality of our democracy. Michael Townes Watson, author of America's Tunnel Vision--How Insurance Companies' Propaganda Is Corrupting Medicine and Law. www.StopMedicalError.com

The process should be more open. It is ridiculous that the corporate supposedly mainstream media should have such influence over who is allowed to get this pass. If Tim Russert, Chris Matthews and the Jeff Gannon's of the world are allowed access then certainly David Sirota should be allowed the same access. Also, after reading David's post from yesterday I believe it should be even more open so that any citizen can sit in on the proceedings, the politicians work for us.

David Sirota is a respected Journalist. Fox "news" is offensive evangelism. If the US is to have informed intelligent voters, we need much greater availability of Sirota's journalism and much less of flashy misinfortainment.

Mary Ann - are you still in high school?

It's hard to believe that ordinary citizens of this country have got to lecture the Washington Pravda about Democracy. What are you people smoking? You're denying a writer access to the press galleries again for what reason? Because you're scared of him? Because you don't agree with what he writes? Who died and made you people gatekeeper to Democracy? Every single one of you in the press is an "activist" of some stripe or another. Newspaper, magazine writers, editors and owners have ALWAYS been partisans. Democracy is predicated on it. Spare us your petty partisan bickering masquarading as conceits about the purity of journalism. Journalism is not a profession like doctoring or lawyering or teaching. If you honestly believe that you're a "journalist" and David Sirota is not, you're stoned. Let Mr. Sirota in to do his job for chrissake.

the entire washington press corp. is a bunch of former democrat congressional staffer. Tim Russert, Georgie Stephanopolus, Chris Matthews. Do we all think that Helen Thomas isn't a partisan hack? What conservative media? The Washington Post reads like a Harry Reid press release.

Let us remember that the dems got a republican bloggers press credentials pulled because he was a partisan.

In today's world where the main stream media (MSM) has their remarks vetted by their corporate owners, it's refreshing to read someone like David Sirota who is only interested in the facts. That's why I don't trust or believe the MSM on many of today's most important issues: Health care, Iraq, the economy, etc. David Sirota provides a fresh, factual view that doesn't consist of parroting industry and/or administration talking points. I understand that this threatens the MSM hegemony. Unfortunately for you, articles like this and actions like refusing to issue David a press pass just confirm my view that the MSM are corporate shills.

Shocking - a member of media not owned by Murdoch or Turner is denied access.

Think we'll remember free press like horse/buggy or the steam cotton gin?

David Sirota is an outstanding journalist, better than most at The Washtingon Post. He deserves full access to Capital Hill. The journalists and bureaucrats who denied him access should be ashamed of themselves.

It's about time somebody other than the entrenched media - who haven't seemed very honest about how "embedded" they are with our government functionaries - had a chance to give us their views.

Couldn't be any worse, could it?

It's about time somebody other than the entrenched media - who haven't seemed very honest about how "embedded" they are with our government functionaries - had a chance to give us their views.

Couldn't be any worse, could it?

It's about time somebody other than the entrenched media - who haven't seemed very honest about how "embedded" they are with our government functionaries - had a chance to give us their views.

Couldn't be any worse, could it?

It's about time somebody other than the entrenched media - who haven't seemed very honest about how "embedded" they are with our government functionaries - had a chance to give us their views.

Couldn't be any worse, could it?

It's about time somebody other than the entrenched media - who haven't seemed very honest about how "embedded" they are with our government functionaries - had a chance to give us their views.

Couldn't be any worse, could it?

It's about time somebody other than the entrenched media - who haven't seemed very honest about how "embedded" they are with our government functionaries - had a chance to give us their views.

Couldn't be any worse, could it?

It's about time somebody other than the entrenched media - who haven't seemed very honest about how "embedded" they are with our government functionaries - had a chance to give us their views.

Couldn't be any worse, could it?

It's about time somebody other than the entrenched media - who haven't seemed very honest about how "embedded" they are with our government functionaries - had a chance to give us their views.

Couldn't be any worse, could it?

It's about time somebody other than the entrenched media - who haven't seemed very honest about how "embedded" they are with our government functionaries - had a chance to give us their views.

Couldn't be any worse, could it?

Thank God for senators like Bernie Sanders. Without his support the only news we would get would be the corporate media response which purport to being open and unbiased but acutally are the mouthpieces for the corporations that own and operate them.

There is not 'there' there. Where's the beef? Sirota, in addition to being a political operative at times, is also a writer. And judging from your first report on this, Sirota did what he was counseled to do. End run....where?

Anyone who has a legitimate reason to be there should. The media who currently dominate this access haven't done too much good with that access. Open up the gates.

Where's the beef? Sirota, in addition to being a political operative at times, is also a writer. And judging from your first report on this, Sirota did what he was counseled to do. End run....where?

Anyone who has a credible reason to be on Capitol Hill should be able to be there. Most of media who currently dominate this privilaged access haven't done all that much with that treasured access to warrant keeping it all too themselves. Open up the gates. I'd feel much more at ease knowing more media outlets where snooping around the congressional halls.

Where's the beef? Sirota, in addition to being a political operative at times, is also a writer. And judging from your first report on this, Sirota did what he was counseled to do. End run....where?

Anyone who has a credible reason to be on Capitol Hill should be able to be there. Most of media who currently dominate this privilaged access haven't done all that much with that treasured access to warrant keeping it all too themselves. Open up the gates. I'd feel much more at ease knowing more media outlets where snooping around the congressional halls.

William Kristol, the hosts of Hardball and Scarborough Country and people such as Jeff Guckert/Gannon (he of the delightful male escort website) all have political backgrounds. Tony Snow left Fox News for the White House and will no doubt return to Fox when his run is done. The effort to use a fine sieve to screen out legitimate writers is a jealous, egocentric and dishonest effort to maintain a grip on power by narrrow group of self important and socially networked sycophants. The reputation of journalist nationwide has slipped into the territory occupied by used car salespeople and true ambulance chasers. How do like the company you're keeping Ms Akers?

I think anyone who is a legitimate journalist, via print, broadcast or internet, should be given press credentials. After all, didn't Jeff Gannon get White House access? David Sirota is a real journalist, and deserves recognition as such.

David Sirota is a qualified, credentialed, documented, assigned journalist. What are you afraid of? Our government is too secretive and unresponsive as it is. And, with all due respect, you don't even validate your own reporting. He got his pass through a process recommended by other accredited journalists. Why do you keep insinuating that he did something below board. Baaaaaad journalist!

This is absurd. David Sirota not a journalist? In what universe would that be? An "end-run around the press galleries" by using another avenue of access? How is that even worth the column-space to blog about?

We need more media access for those who are not associated with major corporate media outlets, not less. We need more people who are not in bed with the Washington establishment reporting for Americans, not the same reporters who failed us so badly on the run-up to the war in Iraq. Trying to deny Sirota access has simply exposed more journalistic hypocrisy. And the mainstream media wonders why it's held in such low regard these days...

Where is the Washington Post going? Having someone from the POST advocating cutting off access to the Press or to citizens is outrageous. The POST needs to do an examination of conscience!
WHat if activists and other reporters got together to ban the POST, would that be okay?
The POST now wishes to be part of the problem, not part of the solution? It's appalling!

Where is the Washington Post going? Having someone from the POST advocating cutting off access to the Press or to citizens is outrageous. The POST needs to do an examination of conscience!
WHat if activists and other reporters got together to ban the POST, would that be okay?
The POST now wishes to be part of the problem, not part of the solution?

Does the Washington Post have an ombudsman who can respond to reader outrage such as this?

Why would the Post debase itself with a column like this, which seems to be no more than fluff? Highschool-esque clique holds press passes hostage, McCain likes fleecy jackets, Daryl Hannah? Gee, no Anna Nicole Smith coverage?

While Ms Akers devotes space to this crap, American soldiers are being killed overseas because they still haven't received the appropriate body armor. Why not investigate that, Sleuth??

Thanks for making me aware of Dave Sirota's web site. I now have it bookmarked so I can view his reporting on what you are not reporting.

David Sirota deserves all the access to the U.S. Capital that Fred Barnes and the other conservative hacks this govenment prefers receive. He is a first-rate journalist and should be given all the credentials he needs to gather information on how our governments works so that there is more than a neocon spin coming out of Washington. It is an outrage that the Washington Post is trying to curtail access to vital information that the public needs.

Dear "Blogger":
Why bother soliciting comments if you choose to ignore them? Isn't a blog supposed to be an interactive medium, as opposed to, say, a newspaper gossip column disguised as a blog? For example, Part 1 of the Sirota story yielded around 70 comments, including from Sirota himself. Yet, in Part 2, Sirota's comments aren't addressed. Instead the story (with original inaccuracies) is strung along further with comments from Fred Barnes. How about addressing Sirota's point -- that he wasn't seeking credentials for a book but for an In These Times article?

Sunshine should rule in government proceedings. There should be no reason why Sirota should be denied a pass. The worst he can do is report the truth -which all of us would like to know.

Some 'Sleuth'?

The guy was told to get a press pass. He filled out the paperwork.

And that is some 'trick'?

After Jeff Gannon and Judy Miller get press passes?

Get a new job... Sherlock Holmes you are NOT.

Lefty!!!

Hopefully this will be the last time I'll need to come to this pathetic blog - what a colossal waste of space Mary Ann Akers is. It's the height of irony for someone like her to accuse an outstanding journalist like David Sirota of not having proper credentials to gain access to our government in order to report to the people. Crap like this is why the Post, NYT and other MSM are losing readers - you have stopped working for the people and are just protecting your little fiefdoms from real journalists trying to report to real people about what their government is doing. Get a clue, Wa Post, fire this worthless woman and get someone with a brain.

Is the fox in charge of the chicken house? With six corporations, all Republican owned, owning all the national media, and all failing to report news the administration does not want us to hear, we need as many independent reporters and writers, and yes, partisan of the non-administration persuasion, to provide the people with news of what is going on in our country. We have been provided with only one side of every story, lack of investigative journalism or fact checking, and yes, lies, about administration and Congressional actions for six years. When a gay hooker can get a press pass to the White House, it is time that any writer for any news source has access to the goings on in Washington and elsewhere. The "partisan" label, that dog does not work; all the major press are partisan. Let's put a stop to the shenanigans in government town.

I believe I read on the last comment thread that In These Times is itself not a credentialed publication (by choice). And therefore, under the rules, Sirota can not be credentialed to write for In These Times, regardless of whether he's liberal or conservative or an activist or a journalist or whatever.

I wonder why Sirota hasn't addressed this simple point, or asked his editors at In These Times why they chose to let their credentials lapse. People seem to be suggesting that In These Times can't get credentialed because it's liberal. From what I've read, that's just not true, and Sirota knows it. In These Times has been credentialed before and could be again, if they just filled out some paperwork.

I believe I read on the last comment thread that In These Times is itself not a credentialed publication (by choice). And therefore, under the rules, Sirota can not be credentialed to write for In These Times, regardless of whether he's liberal or conservative or an activist or a journalist or whatever.

I wonder why Sirota hasn't addressed this simple point, or asked his editors at In These Times why they chose to let their credentials lapse. People seem to be suggesting that In These Times can't get credentialed because it's liberal. From what I've read, that's just not true, and Sirota knows it. In These Times has been credentialed before and could be again, if they just filled out some paperwork.

Jeff Gannon can get a press pass. What was he? A political operative -- with NO journalistic credentials, unless you want to include his writing on his gay escort web site.

David Sirota can't get a press pass. What is he? A blogger and an author. Yes, he's writing a book, but he also posts stories on-line, no different than any political blogger.

Ms. Akers, the only story here is why wasn't it easy for David Sirota, as a journalist, to obtain a press pass. That should really really concern you as a member of the press corps. This could happen to YOU someday.

That you have taken time, space and ink to distort Mr. Sirota's role tells me what a sorry state MSM is in.

I stated long ago that MSM would shoot itself in the foot by being a completely non-curious, unquestioning press corps with no spine, interviewing only one perspective (Weekly Standard? FOX??? Since when has FOX provided NEWS?). This story and its focus is yet another example of why MSM will fall into the ranks of the dinosaurs.

it's anti-democratic for the credentialing to be controlled by fat cat corporations and their toadies.

The White House credentials the WH press corps, so it can let in Jeff Gannon or anyone it wants.

Congress is ultimately responsible for who gets Hill credentials. The gallery committees are the first line; their decisions can be appealed to the Rules committee.

Sirota, for the record, HAS NOT applied for credentials--he asked the gallery staff for temp credentials, which they had to decline based on the RULES. Maybe he should stop playing the poor sorry VICTIM. Get over yourself, you whiner.

The periodical gallery doesn't credential anyone from fox news, meet the press, or any of those other common-taters. Different galleries, different rules.

In sum: All this drama is being fomented by a bunch of agenda-driven screaming idiots who have a lot of sooo IMPORTANT opinions, but zero understanding of the facts, apparently, and that includes the blogging chick with the granny glasses.

Ya know, there've been a couple hundred (and counting) rather polite, informed, and dead-on comments on these two Akers articles. Rick Pearlstein and a few other pros have left their two cents. And yet, the only response I've seen from Akers is today's somewhat defense and rather misleading post about Barnes's reaction.

I don't understand. It's like this whole blog thing doesn't exit. Why not make corrections, answer questions, and do a little phone work?

If nothing else, figure out the In These Times credentials issue. Presumably, it's a non-starter since Sirota has other significat sources of journalism-related income that should qualify him even if his obvious sponsor doesn't have proper credentials. But, I don't know that. I'm just basing it on a bit of googling. It shouldn't be too hard to figure out. And, of course, who is irked? It's a legitimate question. You don't have to out your sources of irk but you do need to explain roughly where the irk is coming from otherwise it's just a non-issue.

Here's a bit of fluff from your blog announcement:

I'll give you better than a front-row seat to the show. My blog will take you backstage, shining a light on the zanier, more offbeat side of the capital's political theatre. We'll have some fun exposing the wide cast of characters -- starting with those 535 distinguished men and women who serve in the House and Senate -- that make up this powerful yet bizarre troupe.

The blog won't be the place to read about House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel's plan to fiddle with the tax code, or Sen. Joe Biden's latest solution to the war in Iraq. This will be the place to learn what politicians would rather you not know about them.

How do David Sirota and his hill press credentials fit into that?

Ya know, there've been a couple hundred (and counting) rather polite, informed, and dead-on comments on these two Akers articles. Rick Pearlstein and a few other pros have left their two cents. And yet, the only response I've seen from Akers is today's somewhat defense and rather misleading post about Barnes's reaction.

I don't understand. It's like this whole blog thing doesn't exit. Why not make corrections, answer questions, and do a little phone work?

If nothing else, figure out the In These Times credentials issue. Presumably, it's a non-starter since Sirota has other significat sources of journalism-related income that should qualify him even if his obvious sponsor doesn't have proper credentials. But, I don't know that. I'm just basing it on a bit of googling. It shouldn't be too hard to figure out. And, of course, who is irked? It's a legitimate question. You don't have to out your sources of irk but you do need to explain roughly where the irk is coming from otherwise it's just a non-issue.

Here's a bit of fluff from your blog announcement:

I'll give you better than a front-row seat to the show. My blog will take you backstage, shining a light on the zanier, more offbeat side of the capital's political theatre. We'll have some fun exposing the wide cast of characters -- starting with those 535 distinguished men and women who serve in the House and Senate -- that make up this powerful yet bizarre troupe.

The blog won't be the place to read about House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charlie Rangel's plan to fiddle with the tax code, or Sen. Joe Biden's latest solution to the war in Iraq. This will be the place to learn what politicians would rather you not know about them.

How do David Sirota and his hill press credentials fit into that?

Mary Ann, you really need to re-examine what a journalist is supposed to be doing, especially in DC. Start by reading as much as you can on the subject by I F Stone. Of course, by your lights, I suppose Stone wouldn't have qualified for access either, publishing that silly little newsletter of his for nearly 20 years. But not writing for "real" journals like yours.

damn with crap like this someone might mistake the post for the times,ain't david sorota one and the same that was on mr al's show on Air America??

I think it's pretty disgusting that the dying dead tree media are using their power to help deny access to their more respected competition.

And yet this arrogance continues, even after the kinds of garbage MSM publications like the WaPo have spewed in the runup to the Iraq war, are still spewing in the runup to the Iran war, and the stunningly shameful way everyone fanned the flames of the so-called "hoax" terrorist threat in Boston and the absolute non-story of whether the Speaker of the House should have the same non-stop flight home that her predecessor had.

Enough is enough. If you can't stand the competition, don't bar the kitchen door-- get OUT of the kitchen and sell shoes or something instead.

I believe in a free press and a open democracy. I believe this is precisely what the founding fathers had in mind. Furthermore, I don't care if Mr. Sirota does not pay dues to the "right" people, and stepped on their toes. Sounds like Mr. Sirota is doing the work of a journalist.

The American people deserve to hear all voices.

This is a tempest in a Teapot. The individual becomes the news instead of the principle. Sirota is not the issue, open access is.

The performance of the press in the last 6 years has been dismal at best. The corporate controlled media has transformed news into an entertainment 24x7x365 propaganda machine. Little news comes out of the beltway that is original or informative. Most of the mainstreamers are writing for each other and to please their corporate bosses so they can stay in the club.

David Sirota is writing for everyone else. We need a thousand more just like him to make a dent.

Where the press is free and every man able to read, all is safe. - Thomas Jefferson

When is the MSM going to go back to reporting the NEWS instead of this trash? And they wonder why their subscriber numbers are down? They have made themselves irrelevant, but it seems they are the only who don't know it yet...

The Federal government needs a 'sunshine law,' and so does America's news media. In its current state, I can't understand how anyone could be denied 'media' credentials.

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In a democracy, it is vital that citizens have an unrestricted access to all the information out there. This can only be accomplished through a free press which is itself unrestricted. Why on earth would one journalist want to limit another's ability to report the news? Is this the kind of fascist country we wish to live in? Where only a few can interpret for us what is going on? Please make the time to watch the movie "Orwell Rolls In His Grave" by Robert Pappas to see an excellent discussion of the media's power to limit the news we see.

They all must be afraid..really afraid since Mr Sirota tells the truth with no distortions. A man with values, integrity and morality. No wonder they fear him.
The main stream news afraid to print the truth and the bureaucrats with so much to hide.

For my money, David Sirota is a very well informed and thoughtful JOURNALIST. I have been reading his blogs and articles for several years now on Working for Change.com and his own e-mails. He also writes for In These Times, a well respected paper. In today's world, all news sources are valid and valuable. That Mr. Sirota has a point of view which he makes very clear and also helps politicians he likes just makes his pieces all the more interesting. He has seen politics from the inside and as an observer. He deserves a press pass so he can do the research he needs to do for his article.

People, please remember this whole, disgustingly Junior High affair when the MSM ramps up its breathless reporting of how IRAN is an immediate threat to the US, with stockpiles of nukes ready to fly at a moment's notice, and how we need to go to war with them NOW. Then take a deep breath, count to 10, and remember how this all worked out in Iraq. Face it, Mary Ann (and your corporate bosses too!), there is a reason you are losing eyes to the alternative media and bloggers: NOBODY TRUSTS YOU ANYMORE! This whole stinking pile of dung is just one more reason why...

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So the Post gets to be a gatekeeper to the People's deliberative body, and gives discredited hacks like Douglas Feith a soapbox to continue deliberate distortions. Schizophrenic does not even begin to describe the Post.

I myself am having a very hard time trusting many journalists after the many lies that have been repeated to our country. Personally I beleive that we need reporters from ALL sides to be permitted access so that we can have the opportunity to see all sides.

I get all my news online from a variety of sources and David Sirota is one writer I make sure to check on daily. Give him a press pass.

I cannot even believe there is a question about whether David Sirota should be "allowed" to have press credentials. I depend on Sirota for a realistic view of social issues. He is a published author and has contributed to several respected magazines for years. He stands up for working people and virtually no other journalist does. I do not believe any journalist should have to pass the White House's or the Post's loyalty test to observe our government at work. Had Sirota been granted access in the past maybe Congress and the White House wuld have been a little less eager to screw the working class. And shame on you for suggesting he made an end-run around the rules when he did exactly what he was instructed to do.

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A person who is paid by some corporation to decide who gets in and who gets out more closely resembles a parking lot attendant. A person who tries to go inside the corridors of power and REPORT what they find to the people is a JOURNALIST. I say we should deny the wage slaves of corporations from having any more regular access than freelancers. As far as I am concerned, some grandmother from Peoria who publishes a little newsletter for her knitting circle has JUST AS MUCH right - if not more - to be there than the cocktail-sucking, mutually massaging apparatchiks from Pottersville.

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In These Times is a well-respected and well-circulated periodical in the Progressive community. As Benjamin Franklin said, "Printers are educated in the belief that when men differ in opinion, both sides ought equally to have the advantage of being heard by the public; and that when Truth and Error have fair play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter." Unfortunately, these days it seems we hear much more from the "far-right" and "center right" than we ever hear from any part of the left. We are bombarded by Washington insiders who repeat the same messages over and over again. They provide single-sided coverage of the stories they think will promote their agenda best. This country's foundation relies on a free press where all journalists have access to the same information and can disseminate it to the public in many different ways, from many different vantage points. The problem with the Main Stream Corporate Profit Driven Media is that only a limited message is being reported to We The People. News has become a way to make money and only stories that don't create controversy are reported for fear of losing advertising dollars - certainly not what was originally intended by the Founding Fathers when considering a "free press". The obligation of media to inform the Public has been slowly chipped away at by corporate lobbyists over the years. We The People want more. We want to be informed of the truth, not what makes the most money for shareholders. There is no question media credentials should be granted to In These Times and David Sirota.

In These Times is a well-respected and well-circulated periodical in the Progressive community. As Benjamin Franklin said, "Printers are educated in the belief that when men differ in opinion, both sides ought equally to have the advantage of being heard by the public; and that when Truth and Error have fair play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter." Unfortunately, these days it seems we hear much more from the "far-right" and "center right" than we ever hear from any part of the left. We are bombarded by Washington insiders who repeat the same messages over and over again. They provide single-sided coverage of the stories they think will promote their agenda best. This country's foundation relies on a free press where all journalists have access to the same information and can disseminate it to the public in many different ways, from many different vantage points. The problem with the Main Stream Corporate Profit Driven Media is that only a limited message is being reported to We The People. News has become a way to make money and only stories that don't create controversy are reported for fear of losing advertising dollars - certainly not what was originally intended by the Founding Fathers when considering a "free press". The obligation of media to inform the Public has been slowly chipped away at by corporate lobbyists over the years. We The People want more. We want to be informed of the truth, not what makes the most money for shareholders. There is no question media credentials should be granted to In These Times and David Sirota.

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