John Stewart and Stephen Colbert both took on a New York Times article about Mitt Romney‘s home in La Jolla, CA this week; but the late night comedians/media watchdogs came to notably different conclusions about this kind of reporting.

The article, titled “The Candidate Next Door,” appeared on the first page of Wednesday’s Home section in the Times. It profiles Romney’s efforts to expand his beachside California home, and the resistance he has encountered from neighbors, both over his construction and his politics.

Stewart essentially defended the piece from those who said it represented a blatant political attack from the Times, pointing out that they published an similar article on Democrat John Kerry in 2004, one that reported even more extravagant displays of wealth. That piece ran of the front page of the popular Sunday edition, above the fold.

But on the same night, Colbert portrayed the article as a fluff piece, sarcastically criticizing the inclusion of “by-no-means emotionally manipulative detail” and the sensationalist home improvement spin:

Colbert did, however, include at least one jibe at Romney. Addressing a neighbor who said her children’s favorite dog walking route “has been disrupted,” the pundit remarked that Romney would surely be happy to strap the pet to the roof of his car.

What do you think? Is the article balanced reporting or unnecessary gossip?

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