Joe Klein Banned From McCain-Palin Planes Following Criticism Of Campaign

Politico:

Time columnist Joe Klein, who's been a forceful critic of the McCain campaign (and already said he's unwilling to accept a post-election apology), has found himself without a seat on the McCain or Palin the past four months.

In June, Klein was kept from boarding the McCain plane over what they said had been a security issue. More recently, when trying to fly on the Palin plane last week, Klein told Politico over e-mail that the campaign's response was he "couldn't be accommodated at this time."

"I've done nine presidential campaigns and this is the first time this has ever happened to me," Klein said. "I was even allowed--I won't say welcomed--on the Clinton plane in the summer of 1996 after I was revealed as the author of Primary Colors."

"I rode with McCain during the primaries, but not since I asked him--at a June press conference--whether he really believed Ahmadinejad was the 'leader' of Iran, since he has no control over foreign policy or the nuclear program," Klein continued. "That was when they suddenly told me that I hadn't called in time to get secret service clearance. (I had called more than a day in advance.)"

Read the whole story: Politico

Comments

[truthyguy]

Why doesn't McCain/Palin just cut to the chase and kick all reporters off the plane and allow only people from Fox (I would call them reporters but I do not want to distort their credentials)?

[Ozarks]

Joe got booted because they had to make room for all of Palin's Sach's Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus purchases! I would like to see the photo where she has to return all that c.rap after McCain/Palin election attempt goes in toilett

[XME]

So McCain calls Obama a socialist, then he treats the media like a communist.­..sanction­ing those who don't provide the public with his pro-McCain/Palin propaganda.

[Gary47]

The Obama/Biden plane is a lot more fun! Come on over, drown your sorrows, and start celebrating.

[Cybersquirt]

BWAHAHAHAH­AHAHAHAHAA­Aaaaaa.

Want to send John McCain a vote of "No Confidence"?

If so, go here and sign this petition:

http://www.McCainPetition.com

[LORISNJ]

I am with McCain on this one. If I was down 10 points in the polls, was running against the most inspirational, historical, and charming opponent since JFK; I would not want a negative nelly aboard my plane either.

I would want only those that will make me feel better about my campaign and those that will let me keep my positive delusions. I would think that McCain's plane to defeat is pretty empty by now, except for Palin's family and entourage.

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

Perhaps Maureen Dowd wants to share a rental car? Love you both - no need to endure a flight with wrinkley and winkey.

[ThomHartmannFan]

UPDATE: Campaign spokesperson Michael Goldfarb responded that "we don't allow Daily Kos diarists on board either."

lol!... and they wonder why they are losing. If you're going to make up rediculous statements about 'late security check-ups' and whatnot... stick with it!!

I guess the Straight-Talk express doesn't care for dissenting views...

[gotalife]

So, they tossed Joe the reporter off the plane.

Act of political cowardice.

[dana94591]

So much for the First Amendment!

[GingerB]

Check this out fellow HuffPosters:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/21/another-gop-rep-liberals_n_136583.html


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http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/16138

http://www.larrykissell.com/

OBAMA-BIDEN!

[AynRand123]

LOL, why would the McCain campaign foot the bill for transporting Mumbly Joe Klein in the first place? The entitlement of the liberal press reflects the entitlement thinking of the candidate for whom they are so clearly in the tank. F 'em.

[shockmagog]

Why am I not surprised by the "up is down," "black is white" tone of your post?

[thebluecrayon]

This country has a free press. If the McCain ticket wants to run in a country where there's no dissent from the media, they can go run in Russia or China.

[RButler]

When you say 'free press' does that also mean 'free plane rides' too?

[hellinahandbasket415]

Right, if they don't outright support the Republican ticket, they're liberal press. And liberal press is evil, right?

These campaigns NEED press.
McCain is tanking. Deal with it now so that, come November, you won't have to be appalled and angry. The sooner you accept it, the sooner you can heal.

[craigary]

Your handle says a lot.

Yeah, let's get rid of any reporter with critical thinking skills. That can't possibly affect the American populace as a whole in any negative way, right? If people need the facts about each candidate's campaign, f'-'em, eh?

[Cybersquirt]

Her handle is an insult based on what she just said.

[silarius]

The press doesn't ride in those planes for free. The point is to have access, not to cut costs.

[InfiniteShibumi]

Poor Joe. I wonder if he's taken this up with Maureen Dowd...

[AynRand123]

Like Maureen Dowd, these cantankerous press coots who represent the dying "old media" still haven't quite figured out yet that they have already been put out to pasture. The Times will continue to change their diapers for the few short years the Old Gray Lady has left. After that, they get to sit in wheelchairs in a darkened corner and yell at shadowy figures.

[doctordoubt]

Sounds like you're talking about McCain.

[bitemeredstate]

Are the slack-jawed mouth-breathing Fox reporters still allowed on the McCain plane?

[craigary]

Yes, it's down to them and Cletus the Slack Jawed Yokel from the Outhouse Times-Picayune.

[WolfLarsen]

Man.....if they only allow people who support McCain on board he will be flying the plane himself.

[TAC]

Now THAT'S a scary thought, at least for Cindy...

[WolfLarsen]

What makes you think Cindy would be on the plane....:­)