One of the points made repeatedly in Tim Groseclose's "Left Turn" is not that the media lies, but that it conveys a distorted impression based upon facts that it chooses to include and facts that it chooses to leave out. Today's case in point is from The Washington Post.

400 billion Dollars said to be between President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) when it comes to tax increases. A deal appeared close for $800 billion in tax increases, but Boehner backed out of negotiations and accused Obama of “moving the goal posts” by boosting the number to $1.2 trillion.

Every word of the above item is true. Every one. But what have they left out? Via Reuters' James Pethokoukis last Friday:

Under the framework discussed, a CEILING was agreed upon that could generate $800 billion in new revenue over ten years. This would be done through comprehensive tax reform that would clear out deductions, credits, and loopholes in the system – and spur economic growth. After the gang of six plan came out, the White House moved the goal posts and insisted on $400 billion more in higher taxes – a 50% increase in revenue – and wanted that to be the FLOOR instead of the ceiling.

That paints Obama's actions in a decidedly more sinister light. Obama's moving of the goal posts was by an absolute minimum of $400 billion and likely much, much more than that.