So whatever GOP operatives are whispering becomes news inside the Politico newsroom. And boy, are the results sometimes gruesome.

Behold Mike Allen:

A couple of surprising words were missing from President Barack Obama's 55-minute news conference on Wednesday: “Iraq” — and “Afghanistan.”

Also MIA: “Korea,” “Pakistan,” “soldiers,” “surge” and “war” — as well as the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.

Forget that Obama (duh) talked about what reporters asked him to talk about (note to Allen: that's how pressers work.) Allen clearly contrasted Obama's presser with previous ones from Bush, when, according to Allen, the wartime president always mentioned those words. He always talked about war and conflict and the military, whereas Obama does not.

Really? Bush regularly mentioned “Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines” and his press conferences? Whatever you say, Mike. But a quick check of Bush's final WH presser shows no mention of the “Army,” “Navy,” or “Marines.” Bush did mention “Air Force,” but it had nothing to do with the war on terror; it was in the context of mulling over what he could have done differently during the Katrina fiasco. (i.e. “Could I have done something differently, like land Air Force One either in New Orleans or Baton Rouge.”)

But no matter. The GOP wants to push the idea that Obama's not comfortable talking about the military, so Politico obliges.