Tight relationships between the establishment press and entrenched politicians are a real problem (how do we know what to believe? I think these issues discourage voters and are reflected in the ongoing decline of newspaper readers & tv viewers, while fueling the explosive growth of the internet).
Jon Lauck takes a fascinating look at how an insider relationship can influence reporting, in this case, between long time Argus Leader (South Dakota) political reporter Dave Kranz and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (they met in college).
Lauck has links to memos and additional background information.
Fortunately, weblogs are casting some light on these relationships.