The Permanent Campaign Continues

The KSM trial announcement was too important for a Friday news dump.

Do Friday news dumps work? Yes, but marginally. The White House press corps is generally exhausted at the end of a long week. Congressional critics are either in route back home to their districts or already there. Friday night network television news and Saturday newspapers and cable coverage are traditionally less seen or read. By Sunday morning, a Friday announcement is often considered old news. Monday is the first opportunity White House correspondents get to ask the president’s press secretary on camera about whatever was released Friday. By then there is almost always other news occupying the headlines.

uch tactics, however, can look disingenuous if they undercut public debate on s

Such tactics, however, can look disingenuous if they undercut public debate on substantive policy changes—such as deciding to bring terrorists to New York for trial.Read more at online.wsj.com