Do you think Milbank could be the victim of overzealous editing?

[CatWoman]

just asking.

What writers/reporters write isn't "theirs". Most stories are edited to suit the editor.

I'm not taking up for him -- just throwing this out in anticipation of his response to all the criticism.

[Kagemusha]

1. The byline carries a heavy responsibility.

Besides, just the excerpts I've heard today are so widespread and damning they form the heart of the entire article. Milbank seems to honestly believe this DSM thing is a big, fat joke pushed by left-wing kooks. No amount of editing could invent such a heavy slant out of thin air.

[Straight Shooter]

2. Damn. You just let some air out of my "Milbank is a mouthpiece" balloon.

:P

[rodeodance]

3. Dana's peice was partularity nasty -as Conyers said. He is responsible

for his words--nasty, sarcastic, belittling, ect and uncalled for. Period!!

[wookie294]

4. Yeah, the editors were definitely involved

Remember that the Washington Post's editorial board supported the invasion of Iraq (liberal media, my ass). If we lose the war in Iraq, their horrendous failure to be critical prior to the war will always be remembered and it will hurt the Post's credibility. That's why they want to downplay the memos and pray for something to save Bush in Iraq, imho.

[MasonJar]

5. I just excoriated him to his editors and to the man himself. That

was a serious hearing and that numbskull had no business making light of the lies leading to war. This is especially true if it were the only coverage by the Post.

[bigwillq]

6. I wouldn't think any editor

would edit a story so much that most of the words weren't written by the writer on the by-line.

[chaumont58]

7. I think more than likely, he was left off an invite list to a......

beltway whore fest and he thinks he has to make amends to the Kool Kids. Nothing like a little Dem bashing to get back in Sally Quinn's good graces.

[SmokingJacket]

8. That "make-believe" remark wasn't editorializing --

that was him. It's not the kind of thing a writer can accept being ADDED to his work.

[wookie294]

10. He can accept it if his boss tells him to accept it

The editors have the final say in every reporter's article. I think the editors were definitely involved, but I doubt Milbank protested the final version of the story. I think they all agreed it was a "good" article.

[acmejack]

9. He is the editorial page editor.

Over zealous editorializing perhaps

[calimary]

11. Judging from his appearances on Keith Olbermann's show, I'd say no.

He's on there as a guest fairly frequently. He sits there with this complacent smirk on his face. He lets any and all opportunities to shed light on the bush lies go sailing off into Never-never-land. He never ever has anything to say that indicates he's the LEAST bit objective about bush. He takes EVERY opportunity to discount and dismiss ANYTHING critical or suspect or questionable about this White House. He was utterly useless when asked to enlighten about the whole Gannon/Guckert mess. Looked as though he knew somebody had his balls in a long-distance vise grip and he dared not misbehave or talk out of school. He always looks like he's trying to hold down the lid on the witches' brew before it boils over and blows the lid through the kitchen ceiling.

I have come to dispise him. He's an absolute, shameless, card-carrying lackey. In fact, every time I see him on the air, I wonder about the state of his mortgage and how many kids he's got in private school and the orthodontist's office and how much of a cushy livestyle he's trying to protect. Wouldn't surprise me ONE BIT. I'm sorry to say I have NO respect for the man, whatsoever. As far as I'm concerned, he's never out of uniform: his stained blue dress and presidential knee pads.

[Cocoa]

13. yeah it sounds like Milbank's voice

but I don't think he's a lackey, I think he's just a smarmy elite.

Regarding the editors, I can't believe the editors let this thing get printed. It's one of the worst things I've ever seen.

[KlatooBNikto]

12. Milbank is a victim of nothing but his arrogance and overblown self

importance. In fact, I would just call him a POS.

[tishaLA]

14. In a word--no

The tone, the self-satisfaction, the pleasure in demeaning others? It's all him.