Warren Strobel and Jonathan Landay did the best pre-war reporting on Iraq of any journalists in the country. Walcott later joined them, but they carried the brunt of the reporting. I occasionally sent them e-mails to congratulate them on their reporting. More important, Bill Moyers had both of them on his Journal program, and recognized them for their contributions to investigative journalism. The both deserve "attaboys."

This interview presents the views of a McClatchy Washington bureau editor regarding the importance of a web site, the problems with polarization of the audience (seeking only news and views that they agree with), the interplay between a national bureau and individual papers and the value of "grass roots" reporting. Interesting and informative.

Is it possible the Iraq war could have been avoided, if the major newspapers (New York Times, Washington Post) put the Bush administration's case for war to the same degree of scrutiny accorded it by McClatchy (and predecessor)? The Washington bureau is indeed a standout for taking on issues other publications try to dodge. This article helps in its way to explain how the catastrophe inflicted on Iraq was allowed to gain traction and then to proceed.