Meanwhile, back in the real world

What is the use of "political reporting" and "political analysis?" These things always seem to be based in some alternate reality.

Consider:

Other Democrats, lead by Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) have been far more strident than the Clintons -- so much so that both Republican and Democratic strategists said yesterday the opposition party is in danger of overplaying its hand. The harsh rhetoric, the strategists said, could create a backlash among the public and engender sympathy for a president who has been on the defensive much of the past week.

So. We in the public are going to say to ourselves: "Bush and his cronies really screwed the pooch with this hurricane. Lots of people died and suffered who didn't have to. But those critics sure are being mean about him. I sure do feel sorry for the guy."

I'm no psychologist, but who in their right mind is going to follow that line of thinking?

Only in the world of political reporting and analysis.