Although different philosophies may motivate presidential-press relations, causing frequent friction or adversity, there is nevertheless a strong degree of cooperation and collaboration between the press and a president of the United States. This interdependence has been particularly evident in recent administrations, and it progresses chronologically through a three-stage cycle. In the "honeymoon" stage, a pleasant period beginning after a president's election and inauguration, the president's and the media's definitions of what is newsworthy happen to coincide. The honeymoon stage usually consists of human interest items and stories about the administration's goals and plans during official tenure. The second, or competitive, stage begins when the president's and the media's definitions of news begin to drift apart. This stage is characterized by news manipulation, with the administration attempting to ensure that its "news" is the only news the press receives. When a president makes a conscious decision to place reelection--therefore the preservation or rejuvenation of popularity--above the development of new programs, the third phase, detachment, has been initiated. A review of the Carter administration's relations with the press shows that it has progressed predictably through these stages. (RL)