I guess having pundits on the payroll isn’t enough

The poor Republican National Committee reportedly needs an infusion of cash because that “liberal media” — which accepted the White House’s Iraq pitch without question, has ignored a series of administration scandals, repeated ridiculous smears against John Kerry without hesitation, accepts federal funding, etc. — is an impenetrable fortress that Bush needs to circumvent.

The Republican Party is following up record fund raising for President Bush’s re-election effort by asking donors to finance its efforts to get Bush’s message “past the liberal media filter” to the public.

Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman sent a fund-raising e-mail Wednesday telling supporters donations are needed to help Bush advance his second-term agenda.

“The president has great goals for our country: a growing economy, strong homeland and national defense, tort and Social Security reform and affordable health care. But we need your help to get the president’s message past the liberal media filter and directly to the American people,” wrote Mehlman, Bush’s 2004 campaign manager.

Yes, right, of course. Now that the White House believes it should stop giving our money to an undetermined number of conservative pundits — whose voices manage to be heard despite the oppressive “liberal media filter” — the Republicans will have to think of a whole new way to get their message out. I’m sure it’ll be quite a challenge.