Posted on 09/02/2008 7:26:47 AM PDT by The_Victor
The longtime love affair between John McCain and what he once called his ``base'' -- the national news media -- is on the rocks.
McCain's campaign manager, Steve Schmidt, yesterday lashed out at what he deemed ``offensive'' and ``demeaning'' coverage and questions from reporters after McCain's running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, confirmed her 17-year-old daughter is pregnant.
``It used to be that a lot of those smears and the crap on the Internet stayed out of the newsrooms of serious journalists,'' Schmidt said at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Schmidt's criticism is the latest example in the unraveling of what was once a fond relationship between the presumptive Republican presidential nominee and the media. Starting in the 2000 Republican primaries, the Arizona senator became a media sensation by chatting up the press in the back of his ``Straight Talk Express'' campaign bus. The national press corps freely mingled with McCain for hours on the bus, with no topic off limits.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Republicans should start slamming the media during interviews with the media. What is there to lose??
Everyone knew this was going to happen but John. The truth hurts but at least he knows what he’s up against now. I still think he should bow out of debates with any moderator as biased as Tom Brokaw.
It’s not like he wasn’t warned, but he had his fun. Sarah knows better.
Who could have ever seen this coming?
It is a waste of effort to slam the media. Just back Palin 100% and stay focused on the positive message.
The mainstream media only provided McCain with friendly treatment so long as he bashed fellow Republicans.
It’s now time for the MSM to chose the side they are on, and it’s 99:1 for B. Hussein Obama.
The only thing surprising about this is that McCain is just now coming to this realization.
Jack
The Republicans might be growing courage.
One can hope!
I would hope he realizes that now.
This is where I have little sympathy for McCain. While what they have been doing to Palin’s family is deplorable, the media was horrible to Bush and McCain was silent.
John needs to come out and say “You can kiss my ass” to the media and he will win even more votes, get more money, and more boots on the ground. I hate the media and everything it represents. Im so pissed right now.
As I have said before, I am one of the 30pct who still like and support Pres Bush. That being said he should of took these savages to the woodshed years ago. You cannot play nice with a profession that openly cheers and supports your opponent
McCain needs to unleash everyone. No atack on Obama can be off the table. The stage is set...it is McCain/America vs. Obama/MSM. It’s going to be dirty but it needs to be done.
What did he say?
I’m shocked. just shocked.
Look at this snide and condescending article from the most liberal news outlet ( Based on the Standford Media study and DNC political donations )outside MSDNC-NBC and CNN ! Matt Drudge is full blown OBama media whore for giving this hit job a headline! The Obama meida is spinning out of control. This crap reads like an Onion article.
Right. They used him to bash Bush. Just like they use all Republicans that bash their own party or Presidents.
Let this be a lesson for all Republicans that aspire for higher office.
I am currently waiting for a political reality show to his the airwaves soon. With young and old. We have become a nation of bloggers whose opinions now matter to such a degree that the networks are quoting their viewers’ emails “live”. As if they matter. God help us.
But that Bush new tone strategy which was a huge mistake .
McCain misread the Sunday shows he was on for the last 8 years.He was not a guest because they thought he was a maverick..he was on as a Republican bashing Bush.
That was the sole reason he was booked on Hardball,Meet the Press and the other shows.
The media abandoned him because they do not need him bashing Bush nowadays and his usefulness is up.
I agree with you but sometimes I wonder if efforts to slam them only emboldens them more and gives them more face time.
I think I need a tissue. Boo-hoo!
Honestly, its not like any other reasonable adult didn’t know the media would turn on him when they found it expedient to do so.
They are only his friends when he is being a maverick, going againts Bush or the Republicans.
“McCain misread the Sunday shows he was on for the last 8 years.He was not a guest because they thought he was a maverick..he was on as a Republican bashing Bush.
That was the sole reason”
Well, of course you’re right. You knew it, I knew it and basically every republican knew it. It makes me a little nervous that McCain didn’t - or did he??
“McCain misread the Sunday shows he was on for the last 8 years.He was not a guest because they thought he was a maverick..he was on as a Republican bashing Bush.
That was the sole reason”
Well, of course you’re right. You knew it, I knew it and basically every republican knew it. It makes me a little nervous that McCain didn’t - or did he??
EXACTLY.
And the MSM has decided its time to destroy the McCain/Palin ticket--by turning its "ATTACK MACHINE" in that direction by destroying Sarah Palin and her family's reputation.
“But that Bush new tone strategy which was a huge mistake.”
I respect President Bush and his ability to rise above the noise of the dems and the drive by media. That said, there have been many times in the last couple years that I wish he would just UNLOAD on the fools. In this campaign, McCain has got to hit hard.
Oh wow, I didn’t see that coming.
McCain doesn't need your personal sympathy. This is about keeping Obama out of the White House; secondarily about media bias and the unfairness of the attacks on Palin.
They are politicians and they know it's a blood sport.
They were only his “friends” because he was taking positions that were contrary to the Republican Party line. Now that he is running as the central figure for the Republican Party, they are no longer his “friends”.
I did not like him sitting on the shows Bush bashing.You cannot find a Democrat attacking one of their party on the shows.I think he thought the media would stay with him after Bush,but they were never with him in reality.Now he knows.
the MSM's relentless "ATTACK MACHINE" on Sarah will diminish any bounce from what is left of the convention.
Any Republican who is thought to be "moderate" (as in "non-conservative"; not one of "them") will likewise earn laudatory labels from the media - he's an "independent thinker", "thoughtful", a "maverick". But let that person make a right turn back to his (or her) party's base, and the dinner invitations will dry up, calls will not be returned and only a cold shoulder given where once a hug was offered.
Call it the "Strange New Contempt" phenomenon. John McCain: this is your life.
My biggest hope w/ regards to McCain was that there was a chance that he’d realize after he was elected (if he won) that the media would turn on him in a heartbeat, and that he would basically drop them and return to his more conservative roots once he was no longer beholden to them.
That fact that this may be happening even earlier than I hoped might very well be very good news...
Which is more dangerous?
An overt enemy or a pretend friend?
For a guy that seems sharp on a lot of things he sure hasn't caught on to that yet.
“McCain doesn’t need your personal sympathy.”
No he doesn’t. I only hope the guy will stop sticking his thumb in the eyes of Republican’s - we will be the one’s electing the guy.
“secondarily about media bias and the unfairness of the attacks on Palin.”
And by the way, you did read that this thread was about media bias, right?
(Borrowing from NRO): tell the MSM it’s too bad that the father of Bristol Palin’s child wasn’t John Edwards — then the media wouldn’t care.
Welcome back to the Republican party John McCain.
Funny,,,
but I don't remember the MSM mentioning McCain'a houses while he was going against Bush or the Republicans. I guess I just missed it then.
McCain’s self described friendly relationship with the media has always made me question his judgement. It has been obvious to anyone with common sense that the happy association was a result of McCain stupidly doing everything he could to make Republicans and conservatives look bad. What was he thinking???
Rule 1. Anyone the medis hates must be good.
I guess since McCain didn’t pick Patty Murray, he’s no longer their friend.
I agree
I do believe that's the sound of the conservative base waking up and getting off their tushes.
!
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