"We do not often cheer on Fox News's coverage of politics. But we did the other day when the anchor Shepard Smith reported on an especially absurd turn in the 'Joe the Plumber' saga."

Thus began a New York Times' editorial yesterday, praising Smith' handling of the Joe the Plummer interview on Tuesday.

"Looking incredulous, Mr. Smith gave up," read the editorial, before closing, "'The rest of it,' he said, 'man, it just gets frightening sometimes.' Yes it does."

• Also in the Times: A night out with Chris Matthews