Media's Imbalance Has Been a Net Plus for McCain
Not surprisingly, a column in Sunday’s Washington Post by Deborah Howell, in which the paper’s ombudsman (ombudswoman?) wrote of the considerable disparity in the volume of her paper’s coverage of Barack Obama and John McCain, is causing a stir on the right.
Conservative media watchdog groups like the Media Research Center and NewsBusters have hyped Ms. Howell’s column, particularly her conclusion that the disparity in The Post’s coverage of both candidates “is so wide that it doesn’t look good,” as have numerous conservative cable and talk-radio shows. It’s all further proof, in their minds, that the liberal media is in the tank for Mr. Obama and intent on securing his election as president.
From the Republicans’ standpoint, this kind of talk is good for arousing the party base, which never seems to tire of media-bashing. But something more complicated –- and, on the whole, pretty good for the G.O.P. in general and for Mr. McCain in particular -- is actually playing out here.
It’s absolutely true that Mr. Obama is soaking up a disproportionate share of the media’s attention. Ms. Howell’s column noted that, since the Democratic race ended on June 3, Mr. Obama has been the subject of three times as many front-page stories in The Post. The ratios may not be exactly the same, but it’s the same story at other major newspapers and on broadcast and cable news: Mr. Obama is receiving much more attention than Mr. McCain. But this helps Mr. McCain.
The reason is simple: The media’s intense focus on Mr. Obama, whether through hard-hitting investigative reporting or cream-puff photo shoots for glossy magazine covers, has fundamentally changed the nature of the general-election campaign. It was supposed to be a referendum on George W. Bush and the Republican Party, but it has become –- at least for the time being -– a referendum on Mr. Obama.
Mr. McCain’s campaign has always wanted this –- his aides have not been shy about saying this to reporters off the record. Mr. McCain’s advantage is the very fact that he is not receiving the same saturation coverage. He is a widely known, fairly well-liked and utterly familiar public figure. No one is that curious about him. This makes him seem safe and reassuring to most voters, even if his smiling face isn’t splashed on the cover of Us Weekly.
By contrast, the microscopic coverage of Mr. Obama, by its very nature, makes him seem like a risky option to voters, with his every word and action probed for its possible meanings and implications. Plus, the volume of the coverage isn’t lost on consumers –- instead, it plays directly into the McCain campaign’s effort to paint Obama as a lightweight creation of the media.
To its strategic credit, the McCain campaign clearly recognizes and has aggressively sought to keep the focus on Mr. Obama with a series of negative attacks (even while decrying out of the other side of their mouths the imbalance in coverage). Now, finally, there are signs that the Obama campaign grasps and is ready to respond to the changed nature of the race. Back from Hawaii, Mr. Obama is stepping up his effort to link Mr. McCain and Mr. Bush, seeking to reestablish the president as a central player in the 2008 election. Ironically, for this to succeed, Mr. Obama needs the media to pay less attention to him, and more to Mr. McCain.
Mr. McCain can’t win a race that’s a referendum on his party and its president. But he can win one that’s a referendum on Mr. Obama. So far, the media has been more helpful to him in this regard than he and most of his supporters will ever admit.
With all due respect, I don't give a hoot what McCain did
40 years ago. And I am well familiar with McCain's history.
And with all due respect, I care far more about what Phillip Butler's history (see above post)& what he has done since leaving the Navy.
As a member of "Veterans for Peace", Butler has turned his philosophical & political differences with John McCain into some sort of Internet vendetta. Links, such as the one provided above, appear attached to articles referencing McCain.
Follow the link provided above. It will tell you far more about Mr. Butler than it ever will about John McCain. It is odd to me that individuals such as Mr. Butler do not seem to recognize this.
You may agree with Butler's assessment of Mc Cain's history. You may not. That is not the point.
The point is that Phillip Butler seems to think by posting
his very personal attacks on John McCain, he is changing opinion. He is not. He is only damaging the opinion others have of him.
Renatam,
Do you actually think we give a damn about you and what you are saying about McCain 40 years ago? Give it up! We are so NOT interested of your personal feelings and what McCain did or did not do 40 years ago....go away. Your opinion is absolutely idiotic. Tell us something interesting - if you could.
Well, as you McCain supporters like to say: Experience counts. Experience includes everything that you did 40 years ago, so it does matter. Get used to it. This election is a referendum on Bush, the Republicans, and McCain's character.
the republican "complaints" are correct: the press has been spending too much time on obama and not enough on mccain. the voters need much more information about mccain.
and mccain, when examined closely, provides issue after issue the press should be addressing to fully inform the electorate, which really does not know john mccain.
i think mccain's behavior in college is relevant (certainly it was, in hindsight, for george bush), but we instead can focus on what mccain has done after turning 40: abetting s&l fraud in the keating five scandal, indulging in tailhhook-like sexist "humor", giving in repeatedly to unhinged, hot- tempered rebukes of others, "indiscretions" during his first marriage.
also, more recent flip-flopping on most important issues, including taxes and social security, to placate the republican base, helping to lead us into the catastrophic iraq war, repeated "confusion" regarding basic foreign policy facts, self-confessed fundamental ignorance on economic matters . . . we could keep going.
Oldbridge,
If you want to be informed and even handed apply the same standards to Obama. I cannot imagine American voters who would turn a blind eye to a prospective Presidental candidate with the background associations that Mr. Obama has been proven to have. I'm African American and it scares me to death. Black Liberation Theology is not just a religion, but more so a mind set. I would be absolutely buggy to see a Black president in my life time, but will I sacrafice the safety and freedom of my country for it? Hell no. I'm democrate and I've had many sleepless nights trying to decide or get the courage to pull the lever for McCain. This is probably the most important election in my life time and the implications are huge. Party affiliations are pale in comparisons to the consequences we face if we make the wrong choice.
Mr. McCain is not even winning 50% of the vote in his home state. That should be shocking. Captain McCain was once the "Noun Verb Surge" candidate. Now he's the "Noun Verb Obama" candidate. McCain will do whatever he can to avoid discussing himself. I think you're all wrong, this isn't a referendum on George Bush, or a referendum on Obama, this is a referendum on the American people. After 8 years of economic, political and social disasters will they put the jigsaw puzzle together or vote their fears? I'm sickened that the same people who said you can't trust August polls, are now writing story after story about Obama's sliding poll numbers. Are you kidding me? Did any of these journalists take statistics? Obama's dip is within the margin of error, as is McCain's gain. You think you can ask 3000 people how they will vote and they will be an adequate representative of 150M votes? Please! Spare me the hypocricy.
Seth Grahame-Smith over at Huffington Post has a great article also as to why the main stream media are so afraid to ask some follow up questions to McZombies trite and oh so pandering answers at the faith farce: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/seth-grahamesmith/five-questions-for-john-...
maybe some intreprid reporter someone knows will have the chutzpah to press Mr McBomb-bomb on it, eh?
I was born in Phoenix Arizona and have lived in Arizona all my life. For anyone to post such an outragous comment that Our beloved Senator McCain is not winning his home state is just plain garbage. Arizona is proud of Senator McCain and here in this State we don't expect taxpayers in other states to pay for PORK for us. If your on the internet and don't have enough sense to research Senator Obama you are to be pitied. If your a Member of the House or Senate and trying to pass Obama on to the nation as our next President SHAME on you. Obama has shown himself to be nothing more then a liar. Obama did not vote against the Irag War, he was NOT a member of the United States Senate he did not have the ability to vote for or against it. He did vote not to fund our troops.He didn't do most of the things he says he did. You people need to wake up and realize your voting for a President not a dog catcher. And to the one that was in the Navel Academy with McCain, Grow up and get over it.
I am no fan of John McCain, and until recently planned to vote third party. However, the more I learn about Obama the more I can see that he must not be elected.
Barry is an empty suit, question is, what will Soros, Pelosi, Reid, and Co. fill him with?
The boy-man must be defeated, and if that means voting for McCain, that's what I will do.
"Hard hitting investigative reporting", on Obama? Who are you kidding? What reporting are you referring to? Obama has been showered with such wonderous coverage it has become apparant even to the Washington Post.
Here in Minnesota Obama's support has collapsed in the last three polls conducted by three different polling groups. In the last 6 weeks he has lost over 10pts in support and his fall continues. The root cause of his decline is Obama has been exposed as inexperienced. Most American DID NOT know of Obama's thin resume and are shocked this non-tenured professor and community organizer is so close to the big chair. Fortunately, it doesn't look like its going to happen.
I think the same thing applies to Obama's one week buildup to the Vice President announcement...
The MSM is all over this day and night, hour by hour, with fawning over "The One" making his first major decision of his political life.
The "Obama BurnOut" shown in polls recently will only be compounded with the VP Creap this week, and then the convention next week.
I think that what McCain did 40 years ago IS VERY material to this election - because McCain is making it so. He uses his POW experience at every turn to class himself as a hero, a patriot, and an experienced military man who is ready to be Commander-in-Chief. If we are going to look back at McCain's Viet Nam record, we should see all of it, the good and the bad, the positive and the negative. And if what he did 40 years ago is, in his mind, important to voters, then what he did 35 years ago (drank a lot and cheated on his wife), 30 years ago (vacationed with Cindy in Hawaii while still married), 25 years ago (physically attacked a Congressman), 20 years ago (Keating 5 S&L deal), 15 years ago (called his wife a trollop and a c*nt in front of reporters), 10 years ago (called a fellow Senator a sh*thead on the Senate floor), and within the past five years (changed his position on every maverick stance he ever took) are also relevant.
McCain is the one who is promoting himself on his experience. Thus, his experience needs to be thoroughly examined. Just because you are older, that doesn't by definition make you wiser.
Hell will freeze over before I vote for Obama. The MSM's fawning over him only makes him less appealing because it paints him as the darling of the extreme Left that he really is. What kind of patriotic American would vote for any candidate that the MSM has turned into the Messiah? Give me a break. McCain will get my vote because he commands respect for his steadfast experience, his patriotism, his war heroism, courage, and quite frankly, his manliness! I will feel safer knowing that McCain is our Commander-in-Chief. Obama could not even stand up to Hilary at the Convention. How would he ever stand up to Vladimir Putin or Mahmoud Ahmadinejad? As voters come to see Barry for who he really is, they will elect McCain in November - thank God!
Pretty good article. It is true that the media subjects McC to far less scrutiny, criticism, & challenges than it does to Obama. Hence, most Americans have no idea who the real John McCain is.
The real John McCain is severely flawed, & totally unfit to be POTUS. The comments from the USNA classmate are relevant.
People's personalities are well-formed long before age 21.
McC's character flaws were obvious then & became only worse after 50 more years of antisocial acting-out behaviors- alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity, inappropriate angry outbursts, & a disregard for society's rules. McC is incapable of focusing his attention on anything for longer than a few minutes; he often does not seem to be listening when spoken to; he looks for all the world like a person with an untreated case of ADHD! He cannot & will never grasp the subtle nuances of any issue. He sees things in black & white only, just like his role model W43. This just won't do in today's world. It's no wonder that even such a true GOP loyalist as former Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran says that the thought of McC as POTUS is very scary. If he is elected, there may never be a successor.
In contrast, Obama has been picked apart more than the cadaver in Anatomy lab. Thus, it is clear that he is intelligent, thoughtful, willing to listen to others, & inclined to work together with all sides to find common ground & achieve a consensus.
Any objective comparison of these 2 men shows that Obama has much more of what it takes to be a good POTUS than McC.
McC knows that. Hence, he realizes that his only hope for victory is to keep all the attention focused on Obama, & use all sorts of sleazy, dishonest, scurrilous attacks- innuendo, distortion, & slander by the bushel- to drive up Obama's negatives & frighten ignorant people into voting against Obama. Under normal circumstances, this should not succeed; however, the mainstream media have failed to do their job, so they continue to give McC a free ride & publicize every outrageous attack on Obama as if it's actually newsworthy. Let's stand up & demand that the MSM
stop coddling McC.
"Hard hitting investigative reporting", on Obama? Who are you kidding? What reporting are you referring to?
That would probably be the reporting done by Chrissy, the man crushing Richard Simmons of Pundantry fame.
People are acting like this is some kind of a game or sport. But, how this country has regressed in the past 8 years should be sufficient enough to want a change, and NOT more of the same.
I watch and pray that McCain does not win this election.
I see all of the machinations taking place to keep Obama from being elected: Media, Clinton's, Puma, and most disturbingly the lies and deception.
This country has surely degenerated rather than progressed, and that seems to be the way the Neo-conservatives prefer it, because as long as the masses are kept ignorant, then power and control remains in the hands of a few elite, and not given back to the people, the Democracy.
I hope people do wake up, do look past their biases and fears, and take a chance that there is an intelligent young man who is sincere in his love for America and it's citizen's to do all he can to move this country forward.
However, I must admit that I have my own fears....and that is if he loses, so do we all.
And, the people who have whined and complained about Bush and his illegal wars, can continue their favorite pastime of complaining, knowing they have no intentions of doing anything about it.
I love some of the points Chredon highlighted as McCain's flaws. Especially the drinking, fighting, swearing, and whoring. Sounds to me like he's actually just guilty of being a man. It will be nice to have someone with balls back in the White House. McCain is someone men can relate to: He's flawed and a bit arrogant. But at the end of the day, you need an S.O.B. in the White House instead of some snotty intellectual. Obama's fans love to compare him to JFK; don't forget Khrushchev tore him to bits because he was just a pretty boy, while crusty old bastards like Eisenhower and Reagan scared the crap out of the commies.
OK, if we want to bring up the opinions of some of McCain's classmates from 40 years ago, do we also want to bring up Obama's own admission of smoking dope and snorting coke...
Is that relevant also? Something about the old adage of "glass houses" comes to mind...
Why are more people not indignant that they are being blatantly lied to....has this seriously become the norm.....May the best liar win?
Obama is not perfect, and I suspect he has done his own share of stretching the truth.
But, I'm talking about knowingly, willingly and pathologically lying as we have seen during the Primary and leading up to the General Election.
Is this why our money says In God We Trust, because the man who does not trust God, must rely on lies to get elected.
That is "the scary one"...... "The Liar"
McCain just out and out sucks. Why won't anyone say it? I'm not an Obama fan but of the lesser of two evils, I'll take the guy who's not intent on world domination or drafting my kids into a war for corporate profits. If McCain gets elected, it's just more proof that the American people are sheep who don't actually pay attention and get EXACTLY what they deserve. The way things are now? Exactly what we deserve for supporting "pro-life" candidates who haven't done ANYTHING to actually overturn Roe v. Wade -- it's the wedge issue that just keeps on giving! If they did overturn Roe v. Wade, what the heck would encourage you to vote for any of them ever again!? This America is exactly what we deserve for supporting people you'd like to "have a beer with" who are actually rich-as-hell wolves-in-sheeps' clothing who don't give a CRAP about everyday people, just making sure Wal-Mart and Exxon make billions while small town main streets turn into ghost towns. I have a question for you "conservatives:" What the hell are you even trying to "conserve" anymore?! Everything that conservativism IS SUPPOSED TO BE about has been destroyed by the "conservatives" in government who just know how to press your buttons to get you to pull the lever for them. Hell, they know you're not actually paying attention so they can do whatever they want once they got your vote!
McCain just out and out sucks. Why won't anyone say it? I'm not an Obama fan but of the lesser of two evils, I'll take the guy who's not intent on world domination or drafting my kids into a war for corporate profits. If McCain gets elected, it's just more proof that the American people are sheep who don't actually pay attention and get EXACTLY what they deserve. The way things are now? Exactly what we deserve for supporting "pro-life" candidates who haven't done ANYTHING to actually overturn Roe v. Wade -- it's the wedge issue that just keeps on giving! If they did overturn Roe v. Wade, what the heck would encourage you to vote for any of them ever again!? This America is exactly what we deserve for supporting people you'd like to "have a beer with" who are actually rich-as-hell wolves-in-sheeps' clothing who don't give a CRAP about everyday people, just making sure Wal-Mart and Exxon make billions while small town main streets turn into ghost towns. I have a question for you "conservatives:" What the hell are you even trying to "conserve" anymore?! Everything that conservativism IS SUPPOSED TO BE about has been destroyed by the "conservatives" in government who just know how to press your buttons to get you to pull the lever for them. Hell, they know you're not actually paying attention so they can do whatever they want once they got your vote!
So, if I understand Mr. Butler correctly, the fact that he knew John McCain well 40 years ago means his opinion should carry extra weight? Extra influence? Fair enough...Then let's extend this logic and take a poll of all those who knew Senator McCain well at the Naval Academy. I'm happy to cast my vote in accordance with their majority opinion. And after that can we please try and find some of Obama's erstwhile coke snorting friends and learn their opinion of him during his nose candy days?
Wow, a 40 year old P*nis envy!!! A freshman with Senior-itis!!
Philip Butler, is still comparing his to McCain's and coming up short!
Hey little one, get over it and grow up!
Burt, I can't believe your CRAZY reasons for supporting McC. Alcohol abuse, fighting, promiscuity, swearing at your spouse & Senate colleagues- these are NOT "just being a man." They are pathological. Most healthy men are not guilty of any of these behaviors; plenty of my female patients have been. This trait might be succinctly summarized as a lack of impulse control, which is the hallmark of immaturity. Putting a dangerously impulse-ridden person in charge of a nuclear arsenal makes the world much less safe. McC is fatally flawed. He is one of the sickest personalities on the political scene, right up there with Cheney, DeLay, & Edwards.
Maybe when they finish detoxing you & you get out of jail, you & Mcc can go to a strip club together.
I think McCains past is important ..what Ive seen in the last few months is someone who "wants to get even" you can see it in his body language and you can hear it in his speech. Personal I admire his toughness but he's always looking for a fight. He always needs to prove himself.My experience with these types in life is by 50-60 they are seen as losers..McCains wifes money has saved him so far. Anyway forget all that AMERICA do you really want 4 more years of what has become a low point in our history as a country both politically and economically ?
Most of McCains associates on the hill think of him as a camera hogging arrogant SOB, who only thinks of himself and his ambition, according to a good friend who is a lobbyist up there. He says "what you see on the camera is NOT what you get. He blows up at anyone who does not give him what he wants when he wants it." I don't trust anyone who is like that. When you add in the 4 melonomas he has had in the last 9 years, the likelihood that he will even serve 4 years in good health is not great. Not a good candidate in my opinion.
Wow, I hope the psychiatrist isn't treating anyone I know.
What planet is he from. On one side we have newbie senator who's only claim to fame is that he's handsome, articulate and feeds our middle class values as to how nice it would be to elect a black as President of the US; on the last point, color me guilty. I'd love to see us ( this country) elect a black as Pres. Problem is, it's the wrong Black man. This guy is an empty suit. He travels around telling evryone how non political he is...he makes Bill Clinton look like Harry Truman (statesman).He's flopped on virtualy every topic he's spoken on. Which ever way the wind blows....thats the way he goes...I'm surprised MoveOn hasn't grilled him for turning so far to the center...but, since words are his forte, he needs to be held accountable to his spoken word.Nothing was more telling than his wife , Michelle, telling a large audience that it was the first time she was proud of her country.....hey you don't think they're simpatico on their views of the world.... He has ZIPP knowledge of foreign policy. He has less understanding of how to grow an economy; his only answer is to promote class warfare.
Did I mention he ZIPP knowledge of foriegn policy???......This is a dangerous world. We need a serious, experienced leader who our friends and adversarie's, most importantly our adversaries, can count on.
I don't agree with everything Sen McCain espouses. BUT.....he doesn't just talk...he lives and breathes his conviction as a man who will do what he thinks is right; no matter the political consequences. He's proven it, time and time again....to his own detrement( right wing )....and once you understand a man who not only turned down coming home from a torturous captivity ( early, out of turn compared to other POW's who had been in captivity longer))....and you understand further that by doing so and not helping the North Vietnamese propoganda machine...he would infact endure additional torture....the only conclusion is that this man stands for something......alot more than can be said for the empty suit....any "thinking" person, who actually sees past the rheteric and GW histeria will do what is right.....the psychiatrist turned off the other 1/2 of his brain.
This article is insulting and racist! Every single person in this country learned about three months ago that any criticism of the Messiah is racist and unjustified! The writer simply must bow down and worship the ONE!
Kudos to you! I couldn't have said it any better! Watching the media these days, literally turns my stomach, often at times wanting to vomit!!! I just can't believe what our media has turned into. I absolutely hate watching FOX News!!! I have never heard so many lies on a news station in my life!!!! If John McMcain wins this election.. our country will be left in a dismal state.. bankrupt and divided between the haves and have-nots... totally eliminating the middle class people, forcing them into poverty status. But most American people are too lazy to do the research on both candidates, to really see what they are all about. Rather they take tidbits of news and base their decisions on that... McMCain will do whatever it takes to win, even if he has to sell his soul! I was watching the Civil Forum with Pastor Rick Warren and in my opinion, McCain clearly did not represent being a Christian by his answers. Yet the republicians were cheering him on...Clearly Obamas response on all issues were carefully thought out and answered as a true Christian should. Example... when asked about evil in the world. McCain said defeat even if he had to meet Osama Bin Ladin at the gates of hell... ????? A true Christian would NEVER say that! Afterall, He is speaking about his eternal afterlife???? In addition, McCain obviously skirts over any personal/religious questions directed towards him by telling a story???? Blah!!!! He still shows signs of immatuity to me!!! The little boy who wants to own the world while disregarding any rules and at any cost! Not to mention, he dumped his first wife after he got back from 5 years of captivity. While she was awaiting his return from captivity, McCains wife got in an accident and became disabled. He has had several affairs,then met Cindy and filed for divorce, while planning his 2nd marriage.. A man of integrity????? Yet this is what some Americans want as our President of the United States!!!! But yet, no news on that... Let me tell you with out a shadow of a doubt, if Obama did this to Michelle, he's personhood and integrity would have been attacked from all angles.. you could even say, "to hell and back"
You bore me McCain!!!!
Anyway back to the forum, Obama answered properly by saying we could never win against evil, that is Gods task, but we can confront.. Our country desperatly needs a commander in chief who is thoughtful of serious issues such as going to war!!! Not a president who is ready to pull the trigger so fast, like Bush! We're just getting out of 8 years of a so called president... more like a baffoon if you ask me!
I'm sorry, but we seriously need these two candidates to debate... and I can't wait. I will be front row and center!
The "psychiatrist" is an elitist just like Obama. The only flawed candidate in this election is the Senator from Illinois. The Democrats have blown it again, just as they have so many times before, by nominating someone from the far left fringes of the party. They could have actually won the presidency with Hillary.