Are Reporters Pressing Harder During Interviews?

Ben LaBolt, the spokesperson for President Obama’s re-election campaign, made an appearance on Starting Point with Soledad O’Brien this morning to address the issue of whether the fee for those who don’t get health insurance is a “penalty” or a “tax.” He says a couple of times that the administration considers it a penalty, but tries to turn the conversation towards inconsistencies in Mitt Romney’s argument on the issue.

The interesting part here is that O’Brien cuts him off to say flat out, “I’m not talking about Mitt Romney.”

Is it just us, or have interviewers gotten a little tougher with political interviewees specifically, and guests in general?

Politicians are notorious for answering whatever question is thrown at them with the talking point they want to give.