The government shutdown of early October represented perhaps the greatest display of contempt for the political media’s activist bias. Not only would new laws not be passed for their own sake, but existing government activity would be constrained. The political press’ sensibilities were so greatly offended that few bothered to disguise their disgust with the shutdown even if only to maintain the semblance of objectivity.

But all of the above could be construed simply as a bias in favor of Democratic policy priorities. This would be a mistaken impression, as a recently struck bipartisan budget deal proves that government activism, virtually regardless of the beneficiary, is the media’s preferred state of affairs.

The announcement that Senate and House budget committee chairs had reached an agreement to pass a budget – a first since 2009 – was greeted in the media as a feat on par with the moon landing. As details of the agreement emerged, however, those attacking the compromise as suboptimal were largely vindicated. Conservatives lamented the phantom spending cuts, which are likely to fail to materialize in the years to come, as well as the Senate’s new ability to pass tax increases. Liberals scoffed at the failure of the deal to extend unemployment benefits into the new year. In fact, the deal’s only real accomplishment is to prevent future government shutdowns – a political benefit that will be enjoyed exclusively by congressional Republicans.

But the deal remains the cause of celebrations in the media, not because it accomplishes much but because it keeps the government open, working, and paves the way for future government activism.