O wins P, No P for T: Congratulations to the Oregonian.

Not the best day at Fairview Fanny.

First the Times seemingly throws in the towel on their attempt to drive the PI out of business, then they just miss on the P's once again to their rival the Oregonian.

The Times did garner two runner ups - no dishonor in that. They were good stories, particularly on the Courts.

It's just that much of the Times "investigative" reporting comes off as somewhat self conscious, as if it's screaming "Hey Pulitzer Committee, look at me! I can do big stories too!" in it's subject matter and style.

The paper, under the Blethen family, seems to have a culture driven by a need for power, recognition and an identity as something more than a "regional" entity. Perhaps some of this culture is what was driving the conflict with the PI over the JOA.

One wonders if they plan their stories with consideration of their "Pulitzer potential" along with the news and reporting worthiness of their content.

I often wish the Times would devote some of those high powered investigative resources to local news stories rather than always investing in feature, magazine style presentations and subjects.

There is much muck to rake around here in Seattle and King County "gummit", with plenty of opportunities to troll for Pulitzers. They should give it a shot.

They certainly have the quality reporters to do it.