Some bias is present, but the bulk of the piece is simple fact.

Biased components:

Use of the term "choreographed" to imply song & dance or entertainment without real content. "Prepared in advance" or "coordinated" would have been more value neutral.

Expansion of the McClellan response by the reporter to note that most Presidential interactions are coordinated/prepared in advance, so that this episode is not particularly unique from that perspective. Failure to note this suggests McClellan's response to be a cover-up, as opposed to a statement of reality. Noting this norm would provide balance, and the QUALITY of information raised by any such "prepared" interaction are dealt with in the following Reickhoff quote anyway.

Reporter also failed to note the basic stance of Mr. Reickhoff's group regarding US involvement in Iraq. Adding this would have made for more complete reportage.

Note: I am referring to the "reporter" in these comments, but I must acknowledge that the reporter may well have done all of these things, only to have an editor remove them.

Overall:

Most conservatives object to the tone of such pieces, not the simple facts related. Mr. Reickhoff's comments, for example, whatever his motivations for them, are on target. Only a few changes and this piece would have been a good recitation of facts and quite cautionary as to the value of scripted events for any leader.

Seamus