McCain's Childish Act Is Enough To Outsmart Media
Better late than never.
The American media have been slow to expose John McCain's devious campaign tactics, and some of his outright lies, but at least they've finally started to do that.
For some reason, though, they allow McCain to get away with his attempts to justify the nasty "tenor" of his campaign.
When pressed about some of the utter falsehoods he has thrown at Barack Obama, such as the lipstick and child sex-ed accusations, John McCain has tended to go on the offense.
He did that when the women on ABC's The View became the first to do what the rest of the corporate media had lacked the cojones to do, confront the candidate over his lies.
McCain responded with the following:
"This is a tough campaign. I have asked Senator Obama to join me in town hall meetings all across America. I have requested it time after time. And if we had done what I asked Senator Obama to do...I don't think you'd see the tenor of this campaign."
McCain said the same thing on MSNBC, during his whirlwind and slightly panicky tour of the morning shows on Tuesday.
"If you would urge him to come and do town hall meetings with me as I've asked him to do, time after time, the whole tenor of the campaign would change."
Consider, for a moment, what the candidate is saying.
He refuses to admit that he is lying about Obama, but then subtly suggests that he would stop lying, if only his troublesome opponent would agree to McCain's Town Hall Tour of America.
Like it's all Obama's fault.
It's a quite outrageous thing for a candidate to say. But on both The View and MSNBC, the interviewers just kind of...let that go. The way the corporate media do far too often, when a follow-up question is just sitting there, begging to be asked. Instead, they were bamboozled.
Now, this particular McCain tactic would be ugly, but not so surprising perhaps, if Obama was running and hiding from him, and refusing to debate.
But Barack Obama has agreed to debate John McCain three times. That's the same number of debates John Kerry had with George W. Bush, and Bush had with Al Gore. It's one more debate that Bill Clinton had with Bob Dole.
You can look it up. Or just go to Wikipedia, which is what I did.
Since the first Kennedy-Nixon debates in 1960, there have been an average of two debates per presidential election. Barack Obama has agreed to three. He's following convention.
On the other hand, John McCain's call for/insistence on a series of town hall meetings is not just unconventional. It's unprecedented.
And because Obama hasn't agreed to McCain's unprecedented proposal, McCain is telling us Obama deserves what he's getting.
John McCain's argument isn't just nonsensical. It's childish. It's petulant. It feels like bullying. And it tells you something about the way he thinks.
The good news is, the corporate media are finally starting to see through the McCain straight talk mythology. They're finally starting to ask him some tough questions.
Now, if we could just get them to ask the right follow-up question, when the situation demands it...
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If John McCain were a person of color who graduated near the bottom of his class, was one of the champions of deregulation until a week ago, fought against both veterans benefits and the release of information that could help find soldiers missing in action, dumped his wife for a rich heiress, lied about his military record in his own autobiography, and has been caught lying by every news anchor on television, has hidden his medical records, may be suffering from PTSD, may have cancer - would he have a chance in hell of even campaigning? I hate to say it, and this might not get posted, but his being allowed to get away with this nonsense is a testimony to racism in America. And that's all it is.
http://www
observer007: Thank you for telling it like it is!
Every time a conservative candidate throws a temper tantrum, the media responds by giving them what they want. The media is so afraid of conservative charges of bias, they give air time to whatever wild charges and innuendoes conservatives mutter.
Blackmail. I'll stop beating you up if you sit down for a nice dinner with me.
Yes, the media and all of those who represent Obama on the various talk shows should challenge this assertion. They should ask the following questions of McCain and his representatives:
1. So you believe that it is okay for you to lie to the American people about Barack Obama because he has turned down your suggestion for town hall meetings?
2. What should we infer from your governing strategy? It looks like the Democrats are going to retain their control of Congress. If elected, will you also lie to the American people as president when the Democratic Congress does not bend to your will?
3. What do you think this tells the American people about McCain's character?
4. How do you suggest that we explain this aspect of McCain's personality to our children? Should we perhaps tell them to always tell the truth except when others refuse to go along with their plans?
5. Finally, just who the hell does John McCain think he is and just how stupid does he believe that we are?
Well based on the polls, about half of us (Americans) actually ARE that stupid.
FYI...McCa
Did John McCain tell his mommy that Obama wouldn't have town hall meetings with him. Just what we need another spoiled brat as president.
U are exactly right....s
The media is worried about keeping their jobs. Most of these "news" shows fall under the entertainment division for their networks. That right there tells me all I need to know about how they view "news". Prior to the creation of Fox "News", news shows/channels were considered to be loss-leaders in the television industry. But after the OJ trial, they realized there can be profit in showing sleazy, sensationalism dressed up as news. Everyone's opinion became "news".
The "media" doesn't care about truth. It cares about getting our attention - no matter how it's done. Barbara Walters, made famous for her insightful interviews of political leaders, threw relatively softball questions at McCain on the View, but they were the hardest questions he's seen thus far. That's just plain ridiculous. And even Barbara Wa-Wa refused to ask the obvious follow-up questions. I'm sick of these timid interviewers who are nervous about getting access to the candidates. Who cares if you get more than one interview? Make the interview you do get COUNT for something other than spreading propaganda. Barbara Walters actually said to McCain, "Tell Sarah how easy it was to be interviewed here. Nothing but easy questions", practically begging McCain to grant her access to Palin. For what? To ask her what is her favorite meal to cook her children? Give me a break.
I happened to catch the View that morning and was at first pleased at the line of questioning and then dumbfounded by the lack of follow-up on this aspect in particular. I then was amazed to see that this is generally the case in interviews. No follow up. Maybe it happens in interviews of Obama but , for some reason, I am disinclined to watch those. The View interview was not the only one to let this slide. Tom Brokaw on Meet the Press was virtually told by McCain that if only Obama would play by my rules I wouldn't be such a liar. Brokaw moved on to his next inconsequential question. Congratulations Mr Gizbert for for your deductions and bringing them to the public. Unfortunately most of the readers on this site are already members of the choir.
There was a follow-up question about the matter of lipstick on a pig. After McCain said it was wrong for Obama to say that a pig with lipstick is still a pig, a questionaire pointed out that McCain has said the same thing.
The Wippie really did not allow an answer to hang. She asked would she have to go back to Slavery if McCain hot his way with the supreme court. That was a powerful comment.
The electronic media have been limiting their questions for years. They limited them around the questions of 9-11. They stiffled dissent on Iraq. Is it any surprise they don't challenge now?
Read Truthout.c
I think the media may be worried about looking like they are beating up an old man clearly in the early stages of dementia. After all the racism and sexism, who wants to be called out for ageism and picking on the helpless?
How could Obama have refused a ROYAL COMMAND?
King-ette John is miffed!
Obama speaks to hundreds of thousands of cheering and adoring europeans. While back home McCain speaks to americans. And the election is in a dead heat.
Yes, Obama has spent all of his time in Europe speaking to crowds of thousands.
Europeans care because who we pick as president because as a superpower (maybe not for long) we have an effect on the world stage.
What I find surprising that even with 25% of people in Virginia saying they would not vote for O in the primaries because he was black McCain doesn't have 75% in the polls
It is ashame that Senator McCain is trying to bully someone.
Senator McCain you are 72 years old, aren't you a little old to be bullying someone.
This type of thinking goes on in the school yard, and we ask ourselves where do our children get it from?
It appears that he is going to get his way or else there is going to be he!! to pay.
I am glad Senator Obama is not letting him bully him around.
We need to ask not only our athletes to be role models but politicians too.
Fat chance of that happening.
Bet MCCain is trying very hard not to let his famous explosive temper show...Can he do it and will the media help him ..I think back to dean. scream that went all over the media for days..Sure
"John McCain's argument isn't just nonsensical. It's childish. It's petulant. It feels like bullying. And it tells you something about the way he thinks. "
From my point of view, his conduct and that of his soul mate, has told me EVERYTHING I need to know about his view of the Presidency and his methodology should he (G0d forbid) be elected.
Look, John McCain has done some good things in this campaign which re-inforces his creds as a reformer:
He accepted Public Financing, (his signature accomplishment while a Senator) for his campaign, Obama did not. Raising 61 million in one month seems quite obscene to me and that is why he gets nada from me, a fundraiser for Dems.
McCain wanted to go one on one with Obama in several, not just two, town hall meeting, breaking the grip on those awful scripted events we call Presidential Debates, where candidates can't even address each other. It would have been to Obama's advantage to accept. Although McCain on the trail can be brilliantly folksy, more often he looks confused and doddering. Those meetings would have taken the spotlight off of Hockey Mom. What is Obama afraid of---Democracy at work?
So, as a Dem, I can only vote for someone with Democratic principles and I will Select "Obama" on November 5. I just wish I could believe in "the change you can believe in" while doing so.
McCain did not attempt to negotiate with Obama after Obama suggested 2 town halls. He wanted his 10 or he wasn't going to play!!! 10 town halls would have tied down the scheduling of campaigning, and not been worthwhile to Obama.
Oh he will change alright.
If Obama wins you will see change.
Because it must be different since he has zero experience in the status quo of government or business. Being a blank slate will guarantee change. You can believe it.
You think townhalls aren't scripted? LOL! You don't think plants are given pre-approved questions to ask? LOL! Give me your social security number and bank routing number and I'll mail you a check of $100,000.
And since when is getting financial support from AMERICANS "obscene"? Sounds like jealousy to me...
And I don't believe you're a Dem fundraiser for one second. If you were, you'd be studying Obama's methods rather than hating on them.
November 4.
Town Hall meetings are staged....
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