The issue, I think, is that right now the president doesn't have a particularly good story to tell or a particularly good explanation for why almost nothing he's said would happen (budget, Iraq, etc.) has happened. That's a problem.

So when he goes on an hour-long interview he doesn't sound very good. And since he's not willing to confront the debacle of the weapons search, the fiscal mess, or what's happening on the ground in Iraq he comes off sounding evasive, incoherent and out of touch with what's happening on his watch.

-- Josh Marshall

The responses to the President's interview on Sunday are mixed, but even his strongest supporters were not totally happy with the effort, except for certain sorts (ah my local paper ... they do have some idiots working there) that provide what amounts to Bush supporter spin. Many think it was somewhat soft and lacked many useful follow-up questions. I also think he spent too much time on Iraq, allowing the President to underline his talking points and not much more, and thus having less time for a whole range of other issues.

The net effect is likely a bit negative (the focus should be the "fence sitting" brigade, not those predisposed to dislike him; on the other hand, it is revealing even Bush supporters had some concerns) and more cynicism for those whom expect more out of our journalists. See, for instance, just one example of the efforts of those in the blogsphere that trumps professional journalists.

Other Issues: Is our current patchwork, quasi-socialized medicine system really the way to go? Why not just go all the way? An interesting opinion regarding a university student who sued because she was told to say certain things in acting class that violated her religious beliefs. The ruling mostly noted the university had the right to set reasonable course requirements, but that in her case some selective mistreatment might be proven ... so, a summary judgment against her was wrong. Mr. Timberlake apologized for his actions during the Half Time festivities ... cries of "weenie" could be heard from the Grammy audience.