Beyond the Pale - A Spineless Media Lets McCain Call the Shots on Questions of Sarah Palin's Qualifications

Presidential candidate John McCain's refusal to give free and immediate media access to VP nominee Sarah Palin - his decision to present her only under tightly controlled situations and restrictions of his own choosing - reveals a sense of arrogance and contempt for the American democratic process that should be considered unacceptable in the man seeking the highest office in the land.

This is especially significant when that politician being "shielded from the press" could be a heartbeat away from the most powerful job in the world; when that politician could be in a position to make decisions that launch our nation into major international conflicts or put at risk the lives of millions of people.

Yet the media's apparently casual acceptance of McCain's "rules of conduct" with regards to how and when they may question Palin reveals something even more disturbing - a timid press that, over the year, has been whipped into submission by political leaders who, from arrogance or self-preservation, do not hesitate to flout the rules governing the public's right to know. The media nibbles around the fundamental issue of Palin's qualification through tepid "investigative pieces," such as questioning the accuracy of her statements on "the bridge to nowhere," but it does not simply confront McCain and demand that Palin present herself for questioning.

The media's reaction reveals the presence of a new generation of reporters who, growing up in the age of tabloid journalism, seem to confuse political office with show business. They see nothing wrong with McCain demanding the celebrity treatment for Sarah Palin; with Rick Davis, McCain's campaign manager, telling them that Palin will only sit for interviews "when she'll be treated with respect and deference."

Such behavior from McCain's camp is more in line with that of Hollywood publicity managers who sniff that the media should treat their B-movie clients like respectable actresses. It should be unacceptable in the political arena, for it undermines the democratic principles that built our country. It sets a dangerous precedence for politicians, who will come to believe they can arbitrarily withhold critical information that could help determine whether or not a public official has violated the law or is fit to hold office.

The instant Sarah Palin accepted the VP nomination, she relinquished her right to the same degree of privacy enjoyed by common citizens. Common citizens do not apply for jobs where their actions could determine the fate of the world. Common citizens do not have the government spending millions of taxpayers' dollars and thousands of man hours to protect them.

Paying for her protection, and considering her for such a powerful position, the American people have earned the right to demand she prove her qualification for the job - and not necessarily at her convenience. She must prove she is a leader; not someone who, with proper rehearsal and coaching, can play the part well.

A defiant attitude toward the press was the hallmark of the Bush administration; it now seems to be the fundamental principle by which McCain intends to govern in the White House.

If the media does not push back, it will have once again failed the American people.

Comments

[mesut]

Amen to your article. The truly sad part about this is the media/press will blame the American people if there's another four years of the eights years we've already experienced. What happened to impartial news where the public decides for themselves when presented the news? Now everyone wants to tell us what to think, what someone meant to say, or explain why someone won't talk. And we the American public continue to tune in hoping against hope the media will surprise us and not turn a news day into a joke by reporting a cliche about a pig wearing lipstick. Who holds the media accountable if they can't even hold the candidates accountable? I can't even say how annoyed I am about the Palin issue. From the beginning it was handled wrong and it's only gotten progressively worse and you are right....NO ONE is holding the McCain camp accountable. When is it enough for all other American people that don't see Palin has the 'shiney star"?

[changeishere08]

The media is gutless and I've switched to BBC/PBS/CSPAN as well as alternative sources online. When McCain said his base was the media, I knew he'd get a free ride. Excellent article. The media is gutless and they are selling the public on charleton's, a la BUSHCHENEY.

[bmaggiemay]

Mario...Ma­rio....He'­s been calling the shots since the beginning.....the media is spineless...has been since they help Bush promote the War in Iraq. There are only a handful of credible journalists left in the media now. Charlie Gibson does puff pieces...Peter Jennings would be rolling in his grave and Tim Russert with him. They have let themselves be used to push the administration agenda. I don't have to name them; they carry enough shame for the rest of their careers. CBS editing tapes for John McCain...what kind of journalism is that. It has become very clear, it's all about ratings and truth be damned. What ever happen to the Walter Cronkite's and Edward R. Murrow's. They had integrity...a quality long lost.

[vincefango]

It's the GOP mantra...."NEVER go on the record, unless the questions are pre-screened and pre-approved...and even then, NEVER go on the record". Wouldn't life be so much easier if we all lived like Republicans...first of all we'd be really rich (or really poor, but also uneducated and therefore in an ignorant state of bliss) and whenever we break the law we proclaim executive privilege, whenever we take a test we only answer the questions we want, and even when we fail...we win.

[kg2000]

Excellent article!!

McCain can pick who he wants for VP but for the media to let facts go unchecked and to not cry fowl when they aren't "allowed" to ask her questions on the record----that is what is wrong with this picture!

[AnnieinOR]

repeat performance, they carry water for the G OP. they sold us on booshchaynee's wars and now they want to sell us on these frauds.

[archibald p merriweather]

wait, isn't that the media's job? To fail the American people?

[riverhead]

Well said ... where is the outrage? It makes me ill to see the press bow to this pressure. And the American people are taking it, as the poll numbers seem to reflect. Refusing to answer questions about your experience and positions on domestic and foreign policy issues, while at the same time saying that you're not afraid to answer questions? Sarah, do you really think we're buying this? Seriously, that should be the number one reason to vote for the other team.