Let's have some fun. Imagine how this might be covered in one of WDS's papers, if it weren't about him.

Maybe like this?:

MediaNews Group CEO William Dean Singleton, whose holdings include at least three newspapers operating outside the reach of federal antitrust laws under Justice Department-approved joint operating agreements, has contributed thousands of dollars to President Bush's re-election campaign, records show.

There is no direct evidence that Singleton's contribution -- the maximum allowed under federal election law -- was linked to or designed to influence decisions regarding MediaNews JOAs.

But records show that MediaNews has received favorable rulings from the Justice Department on JOAs in at least three cities -- in Denver, Salt Lake City, and York, Pa.

Under the Newspaper Preservation Act of 1970, competing newspapers may combine their business operations and share profits without violating federal antitrust laws if they receive prior written approval of the U.S. Attorney General.

To grant approval of a JOA between two newspapers, the Attorney General must conclude that at least one of the newspapers is a "failing newspaper," and that approval of the JOA would successfully adhere to the policy and purpose of the NPA.

Such findings were granted in all three of the MediaNews applications.

Financial disclosure statements filed with the Federal Election Commission show that Singleton gave a maximum $2,000 contribution in 2003 to the campaign of Mr. Bush and his running mate, Dick Cheney.

The $2000 limit on individual contributions was introduced under campaign finance laws passed last year. The aim of the legislation is to prevent so-called special interest groups from donating huge sums of money to political parties and corrupting the political process.