As the newspaper continues its Murdoch-era slide into newsroom mediocrity.

Today's A1 feature about how Obama has reportedly form an “alliance” with Rev. Al (“famous for inflaming racial sensitivities”) Sharpton really is just dreadful. It's dreadful because the lengthy feature can't point to any convincing evidence that, y'know, Obama is forming an “alliance” with the Rev. Al Sharpton. But hey, other than that, the article's great.

So yes, the headline is just atrocious:

Obama's New Partner: Al Sharpton.

And the article itself is laced with all kinds of suggestions and insinuation that Obama and Sharpton have teamed up in recent months.

Like this:

Mr. Sharpton is an unlikely White House partner, given his racially polarizing history and efforts by Mr. Obama's 2008 campaign team to steer clear of the civil-rights leader.

And this:

President Barack Obama has turned to Mr. Sharpton in recent weeks to answer increasingly public criticism in the black community over his economic policy

And this:

For the president, the alliance with Mr. Sharpton carries risk.

And this:

Mr. Sharpton's transformation from protester to insider underscores how Mr. Obama's election has changed black politics.

I repeat: The article contains no information to back up the breathless claim about an Obama/Sharpton “alliance.” The closest the Journal comes is reporting Sharpton has been to the White House five times over the last 14 months.

That's it.

Oops, wait there was also this nugget:

At a White House Christmas party for liberal activists, Mr. Obama went out of his way in welcoming remarks to point out that “Reverend Al” was in attendance, say two participants.

Well that does confirm it. Obama, at a holiday party, mentioned Sharpton's name out loud. According to two participants.

UPDATED: And yes, the Journal article comes complete with a very large, 22 year-old photo of Sharpton in a jogging suit.