Hearing John McCain complain about the media treatment he's been getting or not getting lately reminds me of the 1964 presidential campaign of another Republican senator from Arizona.
I was the CBS News producer responsible for supervising coverage of Barry Goldwater's campaign when he and his aides maintained a steady barrage of complaints about the unfair coverage his candidate was receiving from "the Eastern Press Establishment." The phrase was engraved on gold-encrusted or brass lapel pins manufactured by Goldwater's most ardent supporter, an Arizona jeweler.
They were distributed to each of us that supposedly would identify those traveling with the senator's campaign swing around the country and get his supporters all riled up. We all went along with what was generally considered a gag by the reporters and we wore the pins with a smile every time we emerged from the senator's campaign plane.
So McCain's complaints have a rather hollow ring to them 44 years later. In 2000, he made his own attempts to woo the ink-stained wretches and broadcast journalists in that last failed attempt to win the GOP nomination. Back then, he had his share of contacts with reporters on the so-called "Straight Talk Express" that had the journalists falling all over each other portraying a "different" kind of candidate.
I missed the chance to comment on your blog about Wes Clark for VP. I am in agreement with what you wrote, and in addition would add that Gen. Clark has long advocated for a sensible policy in Afghanistan. Talking Points Memo has recent interview where Gen. Clark gives some of his views.
One other note that is often over looked about Clark, he holds a masters in economics from Oxford, something that served him well when he worked at OMB. If the economy is an issue, which it will be, what better compliment to supporting the Democratic ticket. Besides, Gen. Clark is also a director for a wind energy company.
All the bases are covered.
Thanks and sorry to go off topic.
mmk
Goldwater’s problem was he was too honest. At one rally he was presented with a drink concocted by a supporter called “Goldwater”. The Senator took a swig, spat it out, and declared, “This tastes like horse piss. I wouldn’t drink it with gin.” Although there was no evidence he would use the, Goldwater refused to rule out the use of nuclear weapons in the Vietnam War, providing the basis for the “Daisy’ ad. His infamous “Extremism in the defense of liberty” convention speech sealed his reputation as a dangerous right wing nut job. His motto, “In your heart you know he’s right” morphed into “In your guts you know he’s nuts”. Goldwater never had a chance.
The resemblance between Goldwater and McCain is that they were/are both their own worst enemies. The difference between them is that Goldwater was a real, honest to goodness maverick, who had integrity and honor. McCain is a facetious flip-flopper. He was unwilling to stand up to Bush when Bush did a swift boat job on him, a fellow Republican. In fact, he fawned all over Bush, forever showing that he was happy to be mistreated. McCain has shown by his actions that he is unqualified to be Commander-in-Chief. We don't need a president who is going to cave in and grovel before someone who mistreats him, the way McCain does to Bush.
We'll get even coverage when there is competition in the industry again: No cross ownership, no chains, just home town ownership.
In fact, I cannot think of any positives from McCain's relentless and silly attacks.
How about covering his complete naval career, starting with his "legacy" admission to Annapolis; bottom of his class graduation and family-influenced admission to flight school (one of the Navy's most selective and elite positions)?
How about releasing his complete Navy personnel record, including the negative comments from his commanders?
How about covering how he left his wife for a younger rich women?
How about covering the sudden disappearance of his lobbyist girlfriend? (Has anyone seen or heard from her since the allegations of hanky-panky surfaced?)
How about covering his big donations from the oil industry?
How about covering his lack of understanding of economics, international affairs, geography, and technology?
All we hear from the MSM is "McCain the Maverick."
How about asking the media to do their job in reporting and uncovering facts instead of ignoring McCain's obvious lack of qualifications to lead this country in the 21st century?
Yesterday, David Gregory (delightedly) devoted his program to "Obama's Weaknesses".
I'm not holding my breath that today will be equal time for "McCain's Weaknesses". They may call it that, but then show us, "What's WRONG with Obama? Part II"
The problem isn't the amount of coverage (as McCain definitely knows). It's the quality of it (or lack thereof).
Yesterday, David Gregory (delightedly) devoted his program to "Obama's Weaknesses".
I'm not holding my breath that today will be equal time for "McCain's Weaknesses". They may call it that, but then show us, "What's WRONG with Obama? Part II"
The problem isn't the amount of coverage (as McCain definitely knows). It's the quality of it (or lack thereof).
Instead they should focus on McCain who makes a Gaffe every day or forgets what he said from one day to the other ....
Yes they do focus on Obama but not to be favorable so please cover McCain more but also report what he says and run it for days like you do Obama ..Fair is Fair
"Get off my lawn!"
Ooops!
"Come back! I didn't mean it...POINT THAT MICROPHONE HERE - AT ME!!"
Grumpy Old Men couldn't put Humpty Dumpty back together again.....
"Wait! Look! I can jump thru that burning hoop TOO!"
Aside from his reckless hawkishness vis-a-vis the Soviets, at least Goldwater was a true conservative.
It's still an open question regarding the evolution of his views later in life. I suspect its that very evolution that many so-called conservatives would take exception to today.
Regarding McCain, his naked political ambition has derailed the "straight talk express" time and again since 2000. His charges of unfair treatment are beyond hollow: they're desperate and pathetic and only serve to expose the changes technology and conslolidation have wrought in the media over the past 44 years.
I spent a couple of days with Sen Goldwater back in the seventies. Not expecting to like him, he turned out to be a charming, fairly witty gentleman, and a heck of a Scrabble player. You had to keep focused when you played him. Of course he always beat me, a mere teen. When my friend's mother, whose large cabin we were at for a weekend, and who was an old friend of the Senator's, joined in, well, then the real game was afoot. Those two were a hoot together.