I watched with great interest the McLaughlin Group last night. If you recall, I questioned the show last week because Obama had mentioned Pat Buchanan by name in his interview with Brian Williams on the NBC special on the inside of the Obama White House. Granted, it wasn't a positive mention, but it wasn't that negative either. But the fact that Buchanan was the one name that Obama mentioned made it newsworthy in my opinion, and McLaughlin usually doesn't shy from something newsworthy.

Mysteriously, however, it wasn't even mentioned on last weeks show, although there is no doubt that they were aware of it. Interesting to say the least. But then, on this week's show, guess who was missing? Yep, Mr. Buchanan. And replaced by Newt Gingrich, George Will, or David Brooks, to maintain the "balance" on the panel? (I hardly consider Mort Zuckerman to be a "liberal" let me say).

Now get this! He was replaced by David Corn of the Nation magazine. I've had my problems with Corn and have written about them. But, in mainstream DC political spreadsheets, he is definitely left of a lot of Democrats. (supposedly). And what was interesting was that the "liberals" were still there - reliable Eleanor Clift, and (refer to the above parathetical) Mort Zuckerman. So (I bet not natural) blonde Monica Crowley was the bastion of conservatism.

Frankly, I didn't notice a lot of difference. If McLaughlin had any guts and wanted to get a different voice, he'd have me on. I'd give them a different perspective. And what happened to Clarence Page? Maybe the flights to DC are getting too expensive and since the Tribune is perpetually on the edge, like the Boston Globe and other newspapers (because they are too fluffy) he feels he should stick close to home. I don't know. One can only guess. I like Mr. Page, although I think he was wrong in his criticism of Green Party presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney, who I still think is one of the most right on politicians in the country.

I think the McLaughlin Group is the best news talk show of its kind on mainstream TV. Sure beats Gwen Ifell's show. But covering up the Buchanan mention by Obama makes me scratch my head.