Regarding the report that right-wing commentator Armstrong Williams was paid by the White House to advocate the No Child Left Behind program: What, there's no discernible line between the right-wing media and Republican officeholders? This is news?

Moreover, Williams was already openly working for the White House, as a member of the President's Commission on White House Fellowships, even as he wrote commentary about the White House.

And beyond that, here are some of the services offered by the Graham Williams Group, his PR firm:

Governmental Affairs

GWG offers years of experience and understanding regarding the workings of Capitol Hill and the Executive Branches to clients. GWG also guides companies through the process of government procurement and introduces company officials to new procurement opportunities....

Media Services 

GWG has an array of capabilities for accessing print and broadcast media to build or enhance client images.

For print media, GWG creates press releases, guest columns, letters to the editors, professionally written stories, queries for staff coverage, background articles and advisories....

Speech writing

Nationally syndicated columnist Armstrong Williams personally crafts our client's speeches in order to maximize the potency of their message.  Mr. williams works one-on-one with top corporate executives, politicians, authors and popular cultural entertainers so that their story can be effectively communicated.  Mr. Williams brings to the table an impressive track record in brokering news to the public....

So this was really just another day at the office for him.