Bias! Liberal Media!

Conservatives have long used the “liberal media” meme. It’s become not just a talking point within GOP circles, but a rallying cry to anger frightened neophytes. I guess.

Not surprisingly, the Associated Press reports a new study reveals — surprise! — the media has favored Barack Obama in presidential campaign coverage.

Of the three main networks, the Center for Media and Public Affairs study points to ABC’s World News as the most balanced of the dinosaur channels.

The much-ballyhooed accusation from conservatives is probably not entirely without merit. Liberals, after all, tend to be much more open-minded. Even though a good reporter is deeply skeptical, they usually have enough of an open mind to not be so judgmental.

Reporters probably do prefer Obama over John McCain, but it’s not a reflection of who they are personally. Look, Obama is cool. He’s the suave, debonair, Varsity-jacket wearing adult that make all the girls swoon. McCain is the jejune disciplinarian; the scourge of many.

Neither deserve fully those labels, but that’s essentially how the two are viewed. So too journalists, who desperately want to fit in.