From the "Since you asked" file.

Regarding the White House Correspondents Dinner, Balloon Juice reports that Newsbusters wonders...

Isn’t it nice to know that folks who will be covering the upcoming presidential race have no qualms about publicly expressing their displeasure for one of the possible candidates?

Since you asked, yes, it is.

There are, in fact, a few more I wish they'd weigh in on.

I know that the First Amendment...

…doesn't specifically mention Governors, but this still sounds outrageous, not to mention illegal...

Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) is a public official accountable to taxpayers. But he is demanding a news blackout tomorrow when he releases the state’s budget plan. Kasich has forbidden reporters to broadcast any videos, photos or audio recordings during or after his afternoon budget briefing for the press.

The Ohio press corps should show up with every recording device they can find and force him to try to enforce that demand.

"Why...

...wondered the Brilliant and Beautiful Bride of Upper Left, "didn't you like Tim Russert?"

Actually, I didn't know him. Seems that most who did liked him very much. I only knew his work, and on that score, count me with The Editors.

Shield me!

Send lawyers, guns and money.

The House has just passed the Free Flow of Information Act, also known as the federal shield law. The bill passed by a vote of 398-21, a margin that would easily override the veto which the White House has promised (pdf). The bill provides journalists with a qualified privilege as to sources and information, while at the same time, recognizing the need for effective law enforcement and robust national security. A blogger who regularly engages in journalistic activities – such as gathering and publishing news and information for dissemination to the public – and does so for a substantial portion of the person’s livelihood or for substantial financial gain would be covered by the shield as a journalist.

Big whoop, a shield for what? A dozen or so pure political bloggers (as opposed to professional journos with a blog) raking in a living?

Kos is right. The Senate needs to fix this to make it meaningful.

In the meantime, shield me here.

Who'da thunk…

…Rudy Giuliani would run into a bunch of actual journalists at a press conference. The DNC blog reports...

Rudy made a quick stop in Iowa yesterday to talk about his "commitments," but was drowned out by reporters asking about the real story: Rudy's no-show at the Iraq Study Group.