Newsweek Caves to Right Wing Pressure, Hires Karl Rove as Election Contributor

This post, written by Faiz Shakir, originally appeared on Think Progress

Earlier this week, Newsweek announced that it is hiring DailyKos founder Markos Moulitsas as a contributor for the 2008 presidential campaign, offering occasional opinion pieces. Markos said, "Newsweek is 'balancing' me out with someone that should make heads on our side explode."

Now we know who. Newsweek has announced it is hiring Karl Rove to become a Newsweek contributor. From a Newsweek press release:

"Newsweek has a long tradition of asking practitioners and opinion-makers to offer our readers the benefits of their experience in occasional opinion essays," said Newsweek Editor Jon Meacham. "Whether one agrees or disagrees with Karl, there is no arguing that he has been a critical player in the political world with insights and experiences that we think will give our readers something unique."

The right wing has been up in arms, claiming Markos' hire is an example of liberal bias in the media. Last night on Hannity & Colmes, NPR's Juan Williams claimed journalism is being hijacked by angry, offensive individuals making "extreme statements":

All you've got to do is shout, say something on the blog that offends and attacks the other side, and suddenly, you have the credentials, and you're said to be a journalist.

Watch the video to your right. Steve Benen writes, "Juan Williams said this while answering questions from Sean Hannity, during an interview on Fox News. The irony was apparently lost on the host, the guest, and the audience. What a shame." And along comes Karl Rove to save journalism. We anxiously await Fox News' condemnation of the Rove hiring.