Can you believe them when the story is supposed to be factual. Most of the stories we generated were usually on multifaceted, multi-layered issues. Compounding this complexity was legislators and staffs reticence to speak to them. A politician usually only wants exposure when it can be controlled and is favorable. Strategically and tactically, it is believed that the less said the better it is for you.
Politicians seek out the press when they have a specific pointed agenda to sell.
After all, it's indeed so out of character for them. It will be the press that has to steer itself back to a more sensible, balanced middle ground between reporting the good of the world and its evil, too. And, both do need to be reported. The press has power. In the balance of things, I think this appropriate.