Obama's Latest Miniseries

The screaming Drudge headline makes it sound like a major network had become a wholly owned subsidiary of the White House:

"ABC TURNS PROGRAMMING OVER TO OBAMA."

The reality: Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer will be interviewing the president about health care next week.

You know of any journalists who would turn down that opportunity?

Now it's true that ABC is blowing out several programs to take advantage of its exclusive. But how does this differ from Brian Williams showing up with 25 producers for two hours of prime time on life at 1600 Pennsylvania?

The Obama team continues to milk the mainstream media for coverage that will boost its agenda, whether it be "60 Minutes," Leno or taped bits for Conan and Colbert. But strategists are also confident that they have a president who can field complicated questions for an hour on such subjects as employer mandates and taking health benefits.

On the June 24 edition of "Primetime," Gibson and Sawyer will moderate an East Room discussion with Obama and an audience selected by ABC. More will air on "Nightline," while the next day, Sawyer will interview Obama on health and other issues on "Good Morning America" and air Robin Roberts's chat with Michelle Obama.

The Drudge item was based on a letter of complaint from the Republican National Committee, which said the programming could become a "glorified infomercial. . . . I find it outrageous that ABC would prohibit our party's opposing thoughts and ideas from this national debate, which affects millions of ABC viewers," chief of staff Ken McKay wrote.

Senior Vice President Kerry Smith responded that the missive was based on "false premises" and that ABC is "devoted to exploring and probing the president's position and giving voice to questions and criticisms of that position."

The Washington Times reports that "media watchdogs doubted the show would be balanced." The only "media watchdog" quoted? Brent Baker of the conservative Media Research Center, which exists to assail the liberal media.

Keep in mind that not one minute has aired yet. Were Democratic spokesmen asked to join when the networks interviewed President Bush? Still, if the ABC reports turn out to be soft or one-sided, I'll be the first to criticize them.

Meanwhile, CNBC's John Harwood asked Obama yesterday about criticism that he has gotten "such favorable press" because of "bias or because you're good box office." And the president, who often denigrates cable news, went after one of his favorite targets: Fox.