The task of replacing Tim Russert as host of Meet the Press is a big, important, and unexpected one.

However, someone blew away competition yesterday when he stepped up as probably the first journalist to challenge Barack Obama in the slightest.

Jake Tapper is the early NRO favorite.

As Newsbusters points out:

On Monday’s “Nightline,” ABC reporter Jake Tapper challenged Barack Obama over the fact that “there has not been a terrorist attack within the U.S. since 9/11.” He pointedly asked Obama to provide an example of when he has actually reached across the aisle to break from Democratic orthodoxy and generally proved that it is possible for the Obama-friendly program to ask tough questions of the Democratic candidate.

After bringing up the Supreme Court’s ruling last week that gave legal benefits to enemy combatants, Tapper reminded Obama that there has been no terrorist attack since 9/11. He then quizzed, “…And [the Bush White House says] the reason that is, is because of the domestic programs, many of which you oppose. How do you know that they’re wrong?” Tapper also mentioned examples of Senator McCain bucking his own party and challenged, “Have you ever worked across the aisle in such a way that entailed a political risk for yourself?” In contrast, frequent “Nightline” contributor David Wright has previously rhapsodized that Obama rallies are like “Springsteen concerts.”

Read the rest.

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