Harry Shearer: What IS a Journalist?

I hate polls. As a matter of fact, a few years ago, the eponymous Ms. Huff and I collaborated on a largely virtual cause, the Partnership for a Poll-Free America. The premise was that, whatever the truth or falsity of individual polls, the reliance on them was corrupting American politics, draining it of balls and leadership. This was before George W. Bush defied public opinion, and, with a few public-opinion-defying overseas pals, started the Iraq thing.
Normally, polls are quoted to show (a) how dumb the American people are, or (b) how the (choose political enemy) ignores the wisdom of the American people. But now comes a report courtesy of the AP, showing whom the American people regard as a journalist. Forty percent say Bill O’Reilly is one, versus 30 percent who so identify Bob Woodward.