While some reporters may be invited to attend the "Big Dance," I believe most are told my their superiors to cover that particular beat. With that said, I had the privilege during a May-mester course to speak with two journalists who are currently covering the G.W. Bush White House. They would be the first to tell you that covering press conferences and asking questions, at least in the past few years, has been like hitting a brick wall for a living. Though constantly hitting brick walls would theoretically hurt one's dancing shoes, these reporters still attend each performance and do their best to keep from dancing to the tune the press secretary tries to set. So to finally answer the question, yes: a White House press conference is a dance, and yes, there are barriers to truth. The press secretary tries to set the rhythm, beat, and style of music while quickly avoiding questions or rewording answers to put the executive branch in the most positive light. In contrast, the reporters covering their assigned beat attempt to keep from dancing to the press secretary's rhythms and instead, look for the truth separate from the 'spin.' Back and forth, back and forth they will go, but ultimately, the press secretary is the maestro. He or she can end the music and information flow instantly and the reporters can do nothing. So those covering White House press conferences must be 'quick on their feet' and avoid 'stepping on toes' to keep the music playing and the dance--the flow of information--constant. With all of the quick stepping done the press secretary and the reporters there are bound to be errors in information and interpretation of that information. Finally, in an age of soundbites, those political soundbites may relay a different message to the public than the sender of that message intended. With these barriers, it is easy to see why some may distrust the press and politicians. One can only hope that those participating in that dance are conveying information minus without bias, spin, or ulterior motives.