Barack Obama sat down with New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman and showed just how out of touch he is with the media and the GOP in Washington. “What you’ve seen with our politics,” Obama said, “partly because of gerrymandering, partly because of the Balkanization of media so people just watch what reinforces their deepest biases, partly because of big money in politics, is increasingly politicians are rewarded for taking the most extreme, maximalist positions.” He continued, “Because of this maximalist ideological position, we’ve been blocked.” Obama has limited experience working in a minority party, so he might not understand fully how a minority party operates. A good minority party serves as the cautionary voice – yes, even the counter balance – to willy-nilly progress. And the “Balkanization” of the media? He’s not talking about the golden age of news, is he? Forty years ago, two reporters working in an un-Balkanized newsroom, with unfettered access to the halls of power, took down a president. We don’t think Obama wants that. More…