Obama -- Avoiding the National Media

The article “Obama Stiffles, Stiffles National Press” that appeared on the politico.com describes a new practice adopted by Senator Obama – avoiding the National Press. National correspondents are not allowed to monitor interviews Obama gives to the local media outlets and traveling media has no access to the candidate during flights, the usual practice for Clinton and McCain. Contrary, breaking all traditions of Republican candidates being distant from the media, McCain goes out of his way to develop positive relationship with National Reporters, even if it means “sitting them on his campaign bus”. Doing this, he develops necessary media connections that will prove useful during the national campaign.
Obama’s choice of avoiding National Media has been a common strategy of the frontrunners in the previous elections. However, just looking at the candidates, one can understand that this election is not like any other one. Moreover, Barack Obama has been critiquing Clinton for the lack of transparency and media coverage when the senate voted on the first healthcare reform. Why when he is committing the same mistake and denying people from “non-crucial” states the right to follow his campaign closely.
Is the Senator afraid that the media will discover inconsistencies or he is just not comfortable speaking without his speechwriters?
Regardless of the reason, by avoiding the National Press, Barack Obama is loosing necessary connections to ensure proportioned and favorable media coverage in case he becomes a democratic nominee.