Videos: Jonathan Karl on the case, parts 1 & 2

On the anniversary of the stimulus bill two weeks ago, I wrote about ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl providing the one report I saw on TV that night which gave me clear factual information about its impact.

Here is some more textbook good work by Karl.

On Monday, came this encounter between ABC's congressional correspondent and Senator Jim Bunning. The Republican legislator had been blocking a bill extending unemployment benefits since last week, and ABC News wanted to ask him about it. Take a look and tell me what you think.

Here's a link to an ABC News blog that extends the report further with the allegation that Bunning made an obscene gesture at an ABC news producer who tried to ask him about his actions.

All of that on Monday.

Now, here's Part 2 with a second encounter Tuesday at the elevator.

I think this is a textbook example of the press functioning as it should. I believe it shows a healthy adversarial relationship between the press and the legislative branch of government -- with Karl trying to serve as the viewer's proxy in questioning Bunning.

But what about you? What sense do you make of these encounters?

On Monday, Bunning later explained his actions on the floor of the Senate Monday saying he wanted the $10 billion in benefits paid out of stimulus funds. But why the refusal to speak to the press about it -- if only to say an explanation will be forthcoming on the floor of the Senate?

Bunning relented Tuesday opening the door for the benefits to be released.

Videos: Jonathan Karl on the case, parts 1 & 2

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