Merriam-Webster Online dictionary:

"ref-er-ee:
"fucntion: noun"

    "2. A sports official usually having final authority in administering a game."


On "Meet the Press" Sunday after listening to commentary by his panel (Brownstein, Harwood, Ifill, Balz) concerning tactics and strategies of the Clinton and Obama campaigns, Russert stated : "Both camps are very open about working the referees...we being the referees....trying to get the advantage."

Am I being excessively nitpicking to note that Russert's assuming for the media the role of referee is at the same time very revealing and quite disturbing?

Is it just too naive to picture the people of this country, the voters, as the proper referees and the media as the observers, the gatherers of facts, the offerors of opinion (specifically identified as same)?

I do not believe that Russert's use of the "R" word was accidental or inadvertent. He, and the majority of MSM talking heads believe what he said. Sadly, they may, at the moment, be correct in that they ARE the de facto referees....spin being their whistles and yellow flags.

 The Clinton camp is quite happy with this arrangement as they see their need to sell the sizzle to the Super Delegates.

Obama shares, I believe, my view as to who should be the "referee". I hope we are not both too naive.