On January 23, NBC's Meet the Press continued its pattern of convening roundtables that feature conservative pundits opposite news reporters. Host Tim Russert led a discussion about President Bush's inaugural address; recent remarks by Vice President Dick Cheney; and the upcoming Iraqi elections. His guests were Stephen F. Hayes, staff writer for The Weekly Standard, and Robin Wright, Washington Post staff writer. Conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch owns The Weekly Standard, which according to The New York Times loses money each year.

Hayes has a history of false and dubious assertions, especially concerning alleged cooperation between former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda. Hayes presented his case for their cooperation in his book The Connection: How al Qaeda's Collaboration with Saddam Hussein Has Endangered America (HarperCollins, June 2004). But numerous experts, including officials at the Department of Defense, have disputed key elements of Hayes's argument.

By contrast, Wright is a journalist whose professional capacity presumably constrains her from offering opinions that would betray her political ideology.

Describing Bush's inauguration speech, Hayes opined on the January 23 broadcast: "[W]hat the president did the other day is significant and historic and could mark a significant turning point in the history of both this nation and in the world."

Hayes also appeared on Meet the Press on May 30, 2004.