We admit we don't read every print issue, and we can't possible read every dispatch posted online, but we're having a tough time remembering the last time the conservative National Review, which practically gave birth, many decades ago, to the whole you-can't-trust-the-liberal-media mantra, profiled a member of the mainstream Beltway press corps, and that profile contained no substantial criticism of his/her work. Rather, the entire point of the piece was to heap adulation on the Beltway reporter. (NR cover line: "ABC's Jake Tapper isn't afraid to go against the grain of the liberal consensus in pursuit of a story.")

Seriously, I think this might be an historic occasion and one that needs to be documented and honored. Maybe up until now NR just couldn't find a subject as deserving as Tapper, who NR really, really admires. (Paging Jeff Gerth....) They're not alone of course; it was Tapper who was recently singled out by Rush Limbaugh for avoiding the “butt boy bubble” of the White House press room. (Phew, no anal poisoning for him.)

Did we mention, NR really hearts Tapper?

He's one of the last remaining journalists in America who take the responsibilities of their jobs seriously, and thus place a premium on their credibility.

And that's just the second paragraph. NR's Mark Hemingway can barely contain his admiration for the hard-driving Tapper:

No mainstream journalist was tougher on Obama during the campaign. Considering the fact that much of the media gave Obama the kid-glove treatment, Tapper's reporting was essential.

The Beltway reality check though, comes courtesy of blogger DougJ at Balloon Juice:

Of course, being the subject of a fluff piece from a right-wing publication increases Tapper's professional status. Similar treatment from a left-wing one would be a career killer.