July 11, 2009
Tight squeeze
I have long suspected the media's relationship with Washington political insiders was cozier than it should be for the publc good, but this is ridiculous.
Earlier this week, New York Times columnist David Brooks wrote about how "the dignity code" has been "completely obliterated" in Washington, DC. Discussing the concept on MSNBC today, Brooks recalled how he "sat next to a Republican senator once at dinner and he had his hand on my inner thigh the whole time":BROOKS: You know, all three of us spend a lot of time covering politicians and I don't know about you guys, but in my view, they're all emotional freaks of one sort or another. They're guaranteed to invade your personal space, touch you. I sat next to a Republican senator once at dinner and he had his hand on my inner thigh the whole time. I was like, ehh, get me out of here.HARWOOD: What?BROOKS: I can only imagine what happens to you guys.O'DONNELL: Sorry, who was that?BROOKS: I'm not telling you, I'm not telling you.
I am actually less offended by the unnamed Senator's actions than I am by Brooks' passivity and genteel wussiness.