How the Press Helped Cause The GOP Shutdown

[Commentary] What's been clear for years is that the press clings to its preferred storyline: When Republicans obstruct President Barack Obama's agenda, the President's to blame for not changing the GOP's unprecedented behavior. In other words, "both sides" are to blame for the GOP's radical actions and the epic gridlock it produces.

The media lesson for Republicans? There's very little political downside to pushing extremism if the press is going to give the party a pass. Unfortunately, old press habits die hard and the "both-sides-are-to-blame" angle continues to be invoked by journalists who should know better. It does seem hard for mainstream reporters to drop the "both-sides-are-to-blame" angle. Yet every one of them must understand that that tired old trope doesn't apply to this weird Republican crack up.