Is reporter Rob Harper of the Missoula Independent just new to the political scene or is he really not that good at his job?  That's what we were left wondering this morning after reading his bit about Eric Iverson's dual roles as MT GOP chairman and chief of staff for Congressman Denny Rehberg.  Harper's story centers on MT Democratic Party exec Art Noonan's criticism of Iverson for holding these dual positions; the one glaring thing Harper forgot to mention is that Noonan is doing the exact same thing.

Art Noonan, aka State Representative Art Noonan of House District 73 in Butte, holds dual roles as a paid official of the Montana Democratic Party and a duly-elected, sitting legislator.  You'd think that might be worth mentioning in the story.

This is one of the best parts: "'His volunteering as chair—that’s not unusual,' Noonan says. What concerns him, he says, is 'the intermingling of the political business of the party with government work done for the taxpayers.'"

Pot calling the kettle black?

Usually media bias takes a subtle tone, but in this example Rob Harper lets it all hang out by omitting critical facts.  Shame on him.