This is just plain idiocy. Here is Bill Plante during the Clinton Administration:

"But Bill Plante of CBS News did not let (President Clinton Spokesman Mike) McCurry go that easily, asking why he felt he could ever "afford to remain ignorant" of something concerning the president and, even more, "Who does a press secretary work for?"

http://www.diversityjobmarket.c
om/library/politics/100298mccurry-depart
.html

Wow, so Bill Plante asked similarly pointed and (arugably) rude questions while covering the Clinton White House.

Anytime a member of the press dares ask a tough question to a republican, it's such a knee-jerk reaction to scream "Liberal Shill!"