Tunisia demonstrated the transformative power that can be brought forth by the convergence of social media, mobile connections, satellite TV and an earnest desire to fundamentally change socio-economic-political situation.

UNESCO: World Press Freedom Day 2012

Now the question, I think, for any candidate for public office - but especially the presidency - is can people get to know you well enough in the midst of just negative campaigning and, you know, the intense media scrutiny and so forth so that people have a well-rounded view of you and are able to go ahead and make those choices on that basis.

NPR: Before Midterms, a Chat with Sen. Barack Obama

And look at the U.S. George W. Bush was roasted by Democrats, most of the media and even a portion of the business community for putting forth during his campaign mild, across-the-board, phased-in-over-several-years reductions in income taxes.

FORBES: THEY'LL NEVER LEARN

Nor was he among the young stars there put forth as a candidate for our 30 Under 30 in Media list.

FORBES: Huffington Post Losing Key Editor and Top Tech Wizard

Traditional media companies were faced with the dilemma of transitioning to digital or holding forth.

FORBES: Facebook and Google are Better Positioned than Traditional Media...and How Traditional Media Can Fight Back

The flutter of messages that have shot back and forth in the Twitterverse since the news broke on Friday have come mostly from major news media figures.

FORBES: The Widely-Tweeted Downfall of Former CNN Anchor Rick Sanchez

Il Cavaliere has used his charm, and the power of his media companies, to lash out at Bersani and Monti, who he says are puppets pushing forth with German-imposed austerity, which in turn is choking the economy.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down