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McCain Media Attacks Become Entrenched Part of Strategy

September 02, 2008 8:13 PM

This McCain vs. the Media meme has been percolating for a few months.

I can't say that I don't understand the frustrations of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and his campaign team.

Empirically, according to studies and ombudsmen, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., is on TV and on newspaper front pages more often.

And in my personal view -- speaking for myself only -- I can certainly see why McCainiacs would be frustrated with the media as a whole.

(To be fair, there are other studies, such as this one, saying that Obama gets more negative coverage. On the other hand, one of those studies cited as evidence of negativity me saying, quite factually, that, according to polls, "far more Americans say John McCain would be a good commander in chief than Obama." That's not negative, that's a fact, and it's Obama's biggest vulnerability. But I digress.)

That said, amidst the McCain campaign's feelings that the New York Times and MSNBC and others will never give them a fair shake, they could be seen as losing perspective.

Some of this is, of course, a pose. "Annoy the Media. Vote Bush," read the bumper sticker that President George H.W. Bush brandished during the 1992 GOP convention. (The Boston Globe recalls this today in a blog post: "Annoy the media, defend Palin.")

Hence, we will see former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., tonight, according to the Weekly Standard, say, "What a breath of fresh air Gov. Sarah Palin is. She is from a small town, with small town values, but that's not good enough for those folks who are attacking her and her family. Let's be clear, the selection of Gov. Palin has the other side and their friends in the media in a state of panic. She is a courageous, successful reformer, who is not afraid to take on the establishment."

That's all fine and well. Red meat for the base.

But McCain's campaign has spent much of the day complaining that CNN's Campbell Brown went "over the line" in her interview with McCain spox Tucker Bounds last night.

Check it out for yourself:




See anything unfair in there?

The McCain campaign says the questions were so beyond the pale, they canceled McCain's appearance on "Larry King Live" tonight.

McCain-Palin spox Maria Comella says, “As a presidential campaign, we reserve the right to adjust Sen. McCain’s media schedule in order to ensure the most effective use of his time.  After a relentless refusal by certain on-air reporters to come to terms with John McCain’s selection of Alaska’s sitting governor as our party’s nominee for vice president, we decided John McCain’s time would be better served elsewhere."

Then there's this "prickly" TIME interview with a reporter McCain was once fond of, Jay Carney. You can hear Carney's confusion.

TIME: There's a theme that recurs in your books and your speeches, both about putting country first, but also about honor. I wonder if you could define honor for us?

McCain: Read it in my books.

TIME: I've read your books.

McCain: No, I'm not going to define it.

TIME: But honor in politics?

McCain: I defined it in five books. Read my books.

TIME: [Your] campaign today is more disciplined, more traditional, more aggressive. From your point of view, why the change?

McCain: I will do as much as we possibly can do to provide as much access to the press as possible.

TIME: But beyond the press, sir, just in terms of ...

McCain: I think we're running a fine campaign, and this is where we are.

TIME: Do you miss the old way of doing it?

McCain: I don't know what you're talking about.

TIME: Really? Come on, Senator.

McCain: I'll provide as much access as possible ...

TIME: In 2000, after the primaries, you went back to South Carolina to talk about what you felt was a mistake you had made on the Confederate flag. Is there anything so far about this campaign that you wish you could take back or you might revisit when it's over?

McCain: [Does not answer.]

TIME: Do I know you? [Says with a laugh.]

McCain: [Long pause.] I'm very happy with the way our campaign has been conducted, and I am very pleased and humbled to have the nomination of the Republican Party.

Yikes.

At some point, the media is going to want to ask Gov. Palin questions.

And some of those questions are going to be tough -- as mayor of Wasilla, did she, in fact, seek to ban books at a local library, for instance, as one rival claims?

And I don't know how much the American people will think those questions unfair, or how well complaining about those questions will play.

- jpt

September 2, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (129)

User Comments

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Have you been reading the garbage that the media is throwing at Palin? These are the same guys that are NOT telling the Rezko investigation.


Look I was for Clinton....now I'm shifting parties. I have definitely been paying attention to the media bias.

68% of the public thinks the media is trying to get their candidate elected....their candidate is Obama. Maybe the public is wrong.

Maybe not the media hasn't even admitted bias in their demonization of Hillary Clinton as a campaign tactic for Obama.

Posted by: Jackie | Sep 7, 2008 11:49:24 PM

Palin's husband was a member of Alaska's secessionist party for many years.

Sarah Palin repeatedly spoke at the secessionist meetings. IN 2008 SARAH PALIN SPOKE AT THE SECESSIONIST'S CONVENTION.

Sarah Palin's sympathies for the secessionist movement are inferred from her willingness to ally herself with a right-wing fringe group that wants to secede from the United States and her husband's years long membership in the group.

Republicans are now defending Sarah Palin's associations with an anti-American secessionist movement.

Now the Republicans are attacking the media for reporting inconvenient facts. It's a VERY OLD REPUBLICAN STRATEGY TO ATTACK THE PRESS.

Posted by: Patriotic American | Sep 3, 2008 6:58:19 PM

"Palin was a member of an Alaska secessionist party."

No, this is not true.

Posted by: drjohn | Sep 3, 2008 2:42:44 PM

I had watched the interview. CNN reported was fine. Republican person attempted to avoid the question and would not answer. CNN reported said all she wanted was an answer. Republican person declined. I actually saw Republican was not prepared to defend Palin when actually he could have. CNN reporter said she did not want to offend anyone one but she just wanted to ask for an example of how/what experience Governor Palin does have. Republicans were claiming she i experienced. Republican got very defnesive. But then I have seen John McCain get very defensive as well. John McCain got irrate. I think interview was fine and saw no problem. Sounds like McCain Campaign is mad at CNN. McCain refused to be on CNN last night.

Posted by: Sharonklim | Sep 3, 2008 1:38:03 PM

Palin was a member of an Alaska secessionist party.

While she is dazzling, and to be admired on certain levels, it is odd that a seccessionist candidate was chosen as a VP running mate.

Posted by: MI | Sep 3, 2008 11:07:11 AM

Tim: "what makes palin a bad choice for v.p for mccain??"


Answer because it destroys Obama. Obama's supporters are trying to do what Biden did to Bork.

Posted by: geevill | Sep 3, 2008 9:04:59 AM

Why did Brown continually insist on comparing the Presidential candidate to the VP candidate?

That's loopy to start with.

Palin has had more executive experience than Obama. Far more.

Obama claimed that his running his campaign was "executive" experience. Now that's funny.

Posted by: drjohn | Sep 3, 2008 8:57:31 AM

"This is a Pesidential campaing. Nothing is private."

Not for Republicans, for certain.

Watch this.

Obama has two young daughters. Michelle Obama has had a job for their entire lives. So has Obama.

Who raised them?

When did anyone ask Michelle how she could have a job and be a mother? Who asked how Obama could be a Senator AND a father? Who asked how both of them could be working and still be parents?

Posted by: drjohn | Sep 3, 2008 8:55:32 AM

Jake, here is what is unfair about that interview. I think a good definition of fair is treating both sides the same. Here's a simple test of whether Campbell Brown's interview of Sen. McCain's spokesman was fair. CNN should show its viewers video of a CNN reporter asking Sen. Obama or one his spokespeople a question as many times as Ms. Brown asked the McCain representative and with the same duration and ferocity. If CNN can show the video, then I say CNN is fair. If CNN can't (and I don't think CNN will be able to), then CNN should apologize and do a better job of delivering the fairness CNN has promised.

Posted by: Stevereno | Sep 3, 2008 8:29:42 AM

When did journalism become a bad thing?

Why can't journalists ask about the candidates experience w/foreign policy?

Posted by: MI | Sep 3, 2008 2:46:17 AM

The American public is not going to fall for Rovian tactics (i.e. real journalism hyped look like bad thing).

The sad part is that these tactics are tarnishing McCains reputation as a stand-up type of Republican/politician...

Posted by: FYI | Sep 3, 2008 2:20:15 AM

There were several Campbell Brown interviews where she was completely obnoxious, sneering and laughing at Sarah Palin, calling her a bad mother. I guess since she has a newborn, she is the expert now. I am glad McCain is hitting back at the totally biased media, so in the tank for Obama they can't see straight. Why should McCain give them his time?

Posted by: CS | Sep 3, 2008 1:42:23 AM

I think what democrats don't understand is that Republicans respect Joe because he like McCain works across party lines to do what he thinks is right. That is the very reason why many democrats kicked Lieberman to the streets. Kerry actually told Lieberman not to speak at the RNC. Obama like Lieberman said has never even tried to reach across party lines so that things may be accomplished. McCain and Lieberman put country first. Obama places party over country.

Posted by: Female | Sep 3, 2008 12:28:24 AM

tim:

Why does Sarah Palin hate America?

Posted by: quiot | Sep 3, 2008 12:20:18 AM

Republicans can't stand up on their own.

Now even McCain can't appear on anything but Fox Noise without crying.

Pathetic. McCain is just like Bush and Cheney.

Weak.

Posted by: James | Sep 2, 2008 11:33:03 PM

man, if mccain's now afraid to go on larry king, I can't imagine who will ever get to interview him again. Is it fox only from now on?

Posted by: jrc | Sep 2, 2008 11:19:59 PM

anybody else left here?! i cant be the only one?!

Posted by: tim | Sep 2, 2008 11:13:59 PM

AND TIM HAS NOT TOLD US ABOUT PALINS QUALIFICATIONS---MUST BE SOMETHING OTHER THAN MCCAINS SOUL MATE NOW THAT IS SILLY.

Posted by: rodney | Sep 2, 2008 11:12:01 PM

TIM

TRY LACK OF EDUCATION AS A STARTER.

Posted by: rodney | Sep 2, 2008 11:09:44 PM

well im happy, im not sure about all of us.. lol i just like to get the liberal idiots to talk about her "lack of experience" as a talking point, while you guys just nominated the most unqualified, inexperienced canidate for the PRESIDENT in the history of the nation. fact, not an attack... its just fun to listen to them try to rationalize that.. lol

Posted by: tim | Sep 2, 2008 11:07:49 PM

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