Obama does another end-run around the antsy-pantsy press

On Thursday, the White House is continuing its press blitz with a unique form of press conference. Integrating aspects of traditional press events, "Town Hall" meetings and the internet strategies that served him so well in the campaign, President Obama will directly interact with the American people, effectively circumventing the news media.

In some ways, the media's coverage of the Obama stimulus plan has been painfully reminiscent of an 8-hour trip in a car full of 10 year olds. While much of the country seems to be preparing for a long, soul-searching journey to economic responsibility, many commentators are endlessly rehashing some version of the dread refrain, "are we there yet?"