The American Public are far ahead of politicians-- especially Democrats-- and political activists(us) when recognizing one thing: The media can not change or become the news if the people who are the news don't let media effect their decisions or actions.
The Purpose of the media, as envisioned by America's founders, was not to be the driving force behind political will. But to assist a self motivated public in their oversight of the government.
President Clinton remained very popular throughout his term even though he was one of the most brutalized in modern media. Bush was the least popular even though he was given a free pass-- It is my supposition that the value of 'spin' and 'winning the PR war' is greatly over valued... Sort of like a few mortgages.
But the problem is. Politicians believe in the value of a PR victory. Regardless of it's actual value. Just as bankers and investors believed in the value of derivatives; I believe we have a spin bubble.
Politicians base their positions, actions and votes not on what the public actually wants-- even on specific clear cut issues, like a specific bill-- but rather on media consent.
The media have become more powerful than the voter and it must change. It is, I believe, a bigger issue right now than the economy.
The only idea off the top of my head is that if the media can not trusted to be without bias then either the political parties or the government itself need to start polling the public directly on specific issues they are debating or voting on and politicians should somehow be 'encouraged' to bias their behavior toward that...
I really don't know.
(Note these are just my random ramblings and odds are that by tomorrow I'll disagree with half of what I said...)