so you know, some people have said oh, you've really been on the firing line and you know, maybe it's just me, but i've kind of enjoyed it. >> you may have enjoyed it, but the "new york times" today said about the president that he's a bystander occupying the most powerful office in the world. dana milbank of the "washington post" said the president was like a bloke on a barstool getting his information from the evening news. in the phone snooping case, obama didn't even stir from his stool, instead he had his press secretary, former "time" magazine journalist jay carney go before an incensed press corps and explain why the president will not be involving himself in his justice department's trampling of press freedoms. two very reputable papers, two pretty damning indictments, both suggesting the same thing which is the picture many are trying to lay at your feet now and that of your boss, that you're distancing yourself so much now from stuff your own administration is doing that you're almost finding out what's happening from watching the news. >> well, what's remarkable to