Reply #31: You *may* find this article interesting, as I think it is analogous to your point.

[krkaufman]

... the 'gist being, that newspapers should stake an idealogical/issues-based position, and judge/reprimand/critique all candidates based on that position; as opposed to what we have now, which is a personality-driven approach to newspaper endorsements and punditry preferences, with endorsements/praise seemingly contradictory.

http://www.attytood.com/2008/01/you_cant_support_obama_and_mcc.html

Matthews is *all over the place* when it comes to issues, but he displays some latent tendencies when it comes to politicians.

p.s. and not-so-latent, as well.