CNN reporter Suzanne Malveaux’s analysis of President Bush’s speech last night is a perfect illustration of how “objective” journalism works. Claims on which the two sides of the political spectrum disagree are always presented as contested, but as soon as one side gives in, the claim becomes indisputable truth. Thus, within minutes of the president’s speech, Malveaux was describing the administration’s Iraq strategy to this point as “a failed policy”:

MALVEAUX: Essentially you have seen in the past this kind of public relations campaigns and speeches that have been done before and there has been a failed policy that has followed. So the big question of course, whether or not this is going to be a viable strategy or if it’s just going to be another pep rally.

Of course, the strategy didn’t magically become a “failed policy” at 9:30 PM EST last night. But CNN reporters couldn’t describe it as such until then without being accused of bias. It’s no wonder people are disillusioned with the mainstream press…