Reporter's Note: President Obama was called a most unkind name on a news show this week. I’m sure he’s been called worse, but as I note in today’s letter, there are still limits to what ought to be said in public.

Dear Mr. President,

I was distressed to hear this report of a former colleague of mine from years back calling you…well, not a nice name on TV. He’s a smart fellow who has lived and breathed politics for a long time, and I know that he knows better. I suspect it was one of those things that happens too much in my profession these days, with people trying to be “edgy” and “provocative” because they think that is what the public wants.

Related: MSNBC panelist suspended after Obama insult

I get that. Look, I’ve always said that I want my reports to be as interesting and as intriguing as I can make them within the boundaries of 1) truth, 2) fairness, and 3) decency. Most of my colleagues, I suspect, have similar views, but sometimes they get carried away.

That said I’m not making excuses for them, because there really are no excuses for such behavior…especially when it comes to the presidency. Oh sure, people may hurl invectives at members of Congress, or Secretaries of Whatever, but the presidency is something special.
FULL POST