[TomGuy]

an opportunistic Democratic Presidential candidate or batty Bush-hating journalist

They would rather play "gotcha" than be right. After all, even if the "gotcha" later turns out to be wrong, the doubt was created and damage was done. Mission accomplished.

[CyberAnt]

"damage was done"

You are so right ... and the mainstream media never CORRECTS or factually restates any new revelations which might prove them incorrect or just plain wrong.