If George Clooney ran the world

The Times tries to explain — and distance itself from — gossip for its readers this morning, in the wake of the Jared Paul Soprano scandal. Except when you think about it, how much really separates celebrity gossip from Washington coverage? Rumors, blind items, schmoozing, tips, paybacks, grudges, parties, lunches, leaks, hidden agendas, corruption, sex. The only real difference is that politicians aren’t as well-dressed.