The Toronto Sun's Christina Blizzard writes:" . . . as someone who spends a great deal of time watching political aides watching media watching politicians, I’m often baffled by the way politicians view journalists.
"Some see the media as the enemy and take every opportunity they can to engage in hostilities.
"It’s an inexplicable strategy that inevitably ends in tears — usually for the politicians.
"This comes to mind after a recent joint news conference featuring Premier Dalton McGuinty and Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
"Odd though it may seem for two such disparate politicians, Harper and McGuinty seem to be best buddies. They’re on first name terms.
"That’s where the similarity ends.
"What makes these intergovernmental bunfights most remarkable is the stark differences between McGuinty and Harper.
"It’s not just the two men. Their entourages project very different styles.
"I’m one of McGuinty’s toughest critics when it comes to policy.
"On a personal level, however, he’s is far more engaging than Harper.
"McGuinty, you sense, understands he shouldn’t take harsh political commentary personally.
"And in scrums, reporters may be rude, infuriating and embarrassing — but that’s just our job.
"I can write the most scathing column and McGuinty’s staff will still be unfailingly polite. The premier almost always takes my questions — while Harper requires reporters to get on a scrum list.
"Sure, McGuinty brought in his unpopular “five-foot” rule to keep reporters at arm’s length, but he hasn’t limited our access to him.
"This was all etched in vivid relief at the now infamous washroom incident at a news conference in Mississauga recently.
"A male Mountie barged into a washroom and threw me out — citing security. I won’t go over well-worn ground, but such an incident would never have occurred at a McGuinty-only event. . . "
To read the full column click on the title.
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