K-Lo, it is interesting that reporters might use “friendly audience” more for Bush than for Kerry, since the friendliness might seem odd or misguided to the reporter. It might seem like a way for a reporter to imply that the president is pandering to the uber-patriots or the scary religious people. But it’s pretty mild stuff as bias goes.

I’d caution that using a two-year time period does not give you the most accurate picture of a disparity. John Kerry was hardly a great national figure in August 2002, and wasn’t even the acknowledged Democratic nominee until March 2004. I’d be tempted to start your Nexis comparison there and see how it breaks down.