The punditocracy reaction has been extremely muted, despite the right wing of the puniditocracy negative reactions to the shrub speechifying interview. One of their own said they were at least relieved to know that no one watches Sunday morning tv...

So, considering that Russert is supposed to be the pit bull of political journalists covering Washington, how come none of the punditocracy has commented upon his demure pussy cat with kid gloves act in the interview of shrub II? Answer: this administration has journalists very scared. Even Russert, obviously, who decided keeping his job was much more important to him than doing the right, honorable thing for a journalist to do, which was ask the questions that truly needed asking.

Like "What is your administration trying to hide by refusing to allow the 9/11 Commission access to the Daily Briefings?"

Or maybe some follow-ups like he does with every other interviewee--I'd like to see the tape of his interview with President Clinton, alongside the tape of this one...

Russert, whom I used to admire tremendously for his interviewing chutzpah prior to this interview, is persona non gratis in my book now.