In a sign that things are not changing, but rather have changed, Sam Stein of the Huffington Post was called on to ask a question at last night's press briefing. And then Barack Obama dodged it! Just like he would with a print reporter! This is good, though: Opening the media to new voices is important. And calling on outlets like the HuffingtonPost is part of what gives them the credibility to emerge as legitimate alternatives to less adaptive players. It's also worth noting that Stein's question was relatively confrontational. "Today," he said, "Sen. Patrick Leahy announced that he wants to set up a truth and reconciliation committee to investigate the misdeeds of the Bush administration. He said that, before you turn the page, you have to read the page first. Do you agree with such a proposal? And are you willing to rule out right here and now any prosecution of Bush administration officials?" It was confrontational from the left rather than from the center, but confrontational nevertheless.
