MEDIA

McCain’s ‘Free Ride’

A critic on the senator's cozy ties to the press corps.

By Matthew Philips | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Feb 22, 2008 | Updated: 4:06  p.m. ET Feb 22, 2008

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  • Posted By: jangle @ 08/06/2008 4:45:40 PM

    Comment: Nuff Said

  • Posted By: joeboy101 @ 03/10/2008 12:26:19 PM

    Comment: So the media has been far too easy on McCain, except for that whole his cozying up and implied adultery with lobbyists, stories on McCain's health and melanoma, and attributions to crazed radio talk show hosts, its just been on big free ride. Okay, gotcha. Just wanted to clear that up.

  • Posted By: jtcollier @ 03/04/2008 4:56:18 PM

    Comment: Paul Waldman, a senior fellow at Media Matters for America, a left-leaning........................................ENOUGH SAID!

  • Posted By: GregHere @ 03/03/2008 6:21:47 PM

    Comment: McCain....Lets put one of the big issues about John McCain on the table to discuss..........his age!! He will be 72 years plus 5 months if he winds up in the Oval Office in January of 2009. This is too old to assume the Presidency of the United States. McCain already does not appear to have a sharp mind and he is very likely to spend many days of his term on "The Sick List". Who will be helping to run the Country? Will it be the newly appointed Republican Vice President who will be elected to tag along with McCain if they elected or will it be a cabal of his inner staff members or will his wife Cindy be giving input to McCain as well as acting as a semi-nurse/caretaker for him. These are serious points to think about and someone should be thinking also of placing an age, perhaps 65 years old for a President taking office in a new term. Surely there are plenty of men or women available who are younger, more vigorous and ready to take office and work hard.

  • Posted By: anothertompaine @ 02/29/2008 4:47:45 PM

    Comment: This is one of weakest criticisms that could be leveled at McCain. The reason the press loves McCain is that he gives them total access and answers any question at anytime. He does this without advisors or consultants to help him consider the political ramifications of an answer.

    So it Mr. Waldman's critique boils down to this: We shouldn't trust McCain to be honest and open because he's so honest and open.

    I'm generally not a fan of the press, but I do have to acknowledge that they are our eyes and ears in this situation. McCain gives total access to the press, and by extension to us. Hillary and Obama restrict the press and won't answer questions off the cuff, yet we should assume that they're the ones that we can trust more? That must be Leap Day logic.

    • Posted By: mojoe @ 03/02/2008 5:00:35 AM

      Comment: anothertompayne writes that 'The reason the press loves McCain is that he gives them total access and answers any question at any time'.
      Not true.
      The reason the press LOVED McCain was because he is a Republican who was against a lot of
      President Bush's policies. The Democratic Party--controlled MSM hates George W. Bush and has done everything they can to defeat him and his party for 7 years and is now doing their best to elect Democrats in November. They LOVED Republican McCain ONLY because he was helping their political agenda at the time. Now however when McCain is running on his own against a politically correct Democrat they'll do what they always do to ANY Republican who dares to go up against their political party nominee--destroy him, assassinate his character and reputation and brainwash their readers into believing McCain is the devil--incarnate. mojoe

  • Posted By: stranglerlewis9 @ 02/28/2008 7:28:14 PM

    Comment: Just out of curiosity, is John McCain eligible to run for president, to begin with? The guy was born on the Panama Canal Zone in 1936. According to the Constitution, a candidate must have been born within the confines of the United States. He musn't have been born OUTSIDE the U.S.. I can point to a few candidates who ran for office but never made it to the top job: George Romney, Mitt's father ran for president in '68, even though he was born in Mexico; Barry Goldwater, who ran for president in '64, was born in Arizona when Arizona was still a territory. Seriously, don't you think the Constitution needs to be revised since it's so outdated and a lot has changed since 1787?

    • Posted By: IrritatedAmerican @ 03/02/2008 10:59:15 PM

      Comment: McCain was born to two American Parents...His father, a military man -- was stationed in Panama so technically McCain was born legally to become President. My daughter was born in Cananda...to two American parents so she is legally an American who can run for President in 30 years. Children born to U.S. Servicemen and women abroad aren't considered born on foreign soil. Obviously the fact that Goldwater was born before the state became a state is a silly argument as the territory was acquired by the U.S. and Goldwater was native to the state.

  • Posted By: mojoe @ 02/26/2008 3:30:36 PM

    Comment: Notice that the Democratic Party--controlled MSM, including the New York Times, hasn't made a peep nor has questioned Barack Obama to elaborate on his speech a week or two ago were he said (re. Al Qaeda camps in the tribal areas of Pakistan) "If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharref won't act, we will.... There must be no safe-haven for terrorists who threaten America. We cannot fail to act because action is hard"
    It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that what Obama was saying is that if he were to become president, he would bomb and invade Pakistan. Aren't these the same folks that are blaming President George W. Bush for the war going on in Afghanistan and Iraq BECAUSE HE INVADED AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ? So why is Barak Obama's Pakistan invasion plan of no interest to the MSM, unless they're protecting him against any political fallout? mojoe

    • Posted By: chriss1 @ 02/28/2008 12:44:43 PM

      Comment: "Aren't these the same folks that are blaming President George W. Bush for the war going on in Afghanistan and Iraq BECAUSE HE INVADED AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ? So why is Barak Obama's Pakistan invasion plan of no interest to the MSM, unless they're protecting him against any political fallout? mojoe"

      Obama is talking about actual and real intelligence - not the made up stuff to support going into Iraq. No one is saying Afganistan was a mistake - the Bushies didn't want to bother with Afganistan but were shamed into going there to go after Bin Laden.

  • Posted By: mojoe @ 02/26/2008 3:41:53 AM

    Comment: The only thing the New York Times proved with their phony Mc Cain story they tried to frame him with, is that the New York Times, like most of the rest of the Main Stream Media, is in the hip pocket of the Democratic Party. They're in fact the Democrats propaganda arm. mojoe

  • Posted By: cerebral_but_dull @ 02/25/2008 6:15:09 PM

    Comment: It's McCain and it's over, and I don't know how qualified Huckabee would have been anyway. But he is certainly the most pleasant contender we've had in decades so I was very happy to see him in the race.

  • Posted By: Russty @ 02/25/2008 12:54:26 PM

    Comment: No mention of Huckabee by this Left Leaners, sounds like to me they like McCain as the GOP nominee. 'Nuff said. if you are not a left-leaning loony - vote Huckebee

  • Posted By: AlteredEgo @ 02/25/2008 11:46:42 AM

    Comment: See this important story on McCain and Clinton campaigns in cahoots:

    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/24/14518/2213/544/463202

  • Posted By: AlteredEgo @ 02/25/2008 11:46:04 AM

    Comment: See this important story on McCain and Clinton campaigns in cahoots:

    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/24/14518/2213/544/463202

  • Posted By: AlteredEgo @ 02/25/2008 11:45:33 AM

    Comment: See this important story on McCain and Clinton campaigns in cahoots:
    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/24/14518/2213/544/463202

  • Posted By: rm2008 @ 02/25/2008 10:12:32 AM

    Comment: I think McCain have a free ride , and I think tshe NY Times is playing a part in this. Why did they hold their story so long. I think its because they didn't want to hurt him or give the others, a fair chance. The only reason they wroteit at all, because they had to, this way whenever the real story, nobody could say, they held the story. Look how they wrote the story, sex first and they the true facts, he using his position to help his girlfriend, McCain is 71, now(his age now and sex, don't move the public now, but Don't forget about the first Mrs. Mc Cain that he was married to why playing with the now (2nd) Mrs. McCain. Why do she think, he wan't have another woman, when she was once the other woman.

  • Posted By: lb078 @ 02/25/2008 8:13:51 AM

    Comment: click on the links to the candidates here or at msnbc. mccain and clinton get slammed in almost every article. obama never gets touched. maybe it's not pc, or maybe noone wants to be the first to tarnish the new fad in the US.

  • Posted By: turkeyfish @ 02/25/2008 4:02:24 AM

    Comment: McCain learned that preening reporters was his ticket to getting away with his involvement helping to create the savings and loan swindle that bilked many out of their life savings and left the government on the hook for the bill. As chair of the telecommunications committee he only continues a well worn track record of doing the bidding of lobbyists, while proclaiming himself a champion against the special interests. Does it really come as any surprise that he now is willing to break the very law he wrote that tries to restrict the use of lobbyists money in campaigns to fund his own?

    Of course, sensationalists will print anything for a buck. Thats why the seedier sexual angle of the story received so much attention, particularly given recent high profile republican foibles in this aspect of public life. His bigger problem now is that the tabloid forensics teams have been scurring over that cororate jet he and his lobbyist friend were riding and the word is out that there is some very heavy bidding going on for the exclusvie on the results. Its too bad for him that Jurrasic Park stimulated such research interest in the collection and analysis of old DNA.

  • Posted By: turkeyfish @ 02/25/2008 3:55:54 AM

    Comment: He learned that preening reporters was essential to getting away with helping to create the savings and loan disaster in the 1970's. But lets get real, most "reporters" these days write what they are paid to write. Of course, the sensationalists will pay to print anything that sells. We should see some high bidding for the story surrounding the DNA stains on that corporate jet he and his lobbyist were flying around on now that the the tabloid forensics teams have done their work and are now soliciting bids.

  • Posted By: mojoe @ 02/24/2008 10:58:33 PM

    Comment: Mc Cain getting a free ride by the MSM??? Yeah, and pigs fly!
    Obama's getting the free ride.
    I'm still waiting for the MSM to report and have Obama elaborate on the speech he gave were he told his audience that if he became president, he would bomb and invade Pakistan. Mc Cain could never have gotten away with that.

  • Posted By: michpark @ 02/24/2008 8:51:55 PM

    Comment: You really must be kidding? McCain???s ???Free Ride???? WHAT ABOUT BARACK OBAMA'S Free Ride? He has not had a single negative article written, or been questioned about anything by the media. He is the Media's darling that can do no wrong.

  • Posted By: rtwol @ 02/24/2008 3:33:40 PM

    Comment: Newsweek lost all credibility as an unbiased news organization long ago. The only people who believe this level of reporting are the loony leftists who get most of their news from the Daily Kos. Since we now have an interview with Clinton political hack Paul Waldman on John McCain, I hope that Newsweek will continue its tradition of fair and balanced reporting by providing Ann Coulters opinion on Barack Obabma. Betcha that happens next week.

  • Posted By: nrb2 @ 02/24/2008 3:31:06 PM

    Comment: Yes. John McCain has gotten a free ride. Unfortunately, Americans will vote for him...what a shame...why isn't the media asking for a debate between McCain and Huckabee?

  • Posted By: gigamick @ 02/24/2008 2:32:21 PM

    Comment: In addition to the fact that Newsweek has already caught the McCain camp in a blatant lie with their recent article, I'd urge everyone to read a well-researched analysis of John McCain's (continued) involvement in the Jack Abramoff cover up on the blog DailyKos: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/23/03912/3990
    McCain is the epitome of political corruption, just as he has been since his involvement in the ???Keating Five??? scandal starting back in 1982! Instead of focusing on one misstep made by the NYT, take a moment to instead consider the larger issue of widespread corruption due to our current lobbyist situation in Washington. If only a formidable media outlet out there had the fortitude to pick this story up, it would really expose how corrupt McCain really is...

  • Posted By: atonyharding @ 02/24/2008 2:13:07 PM

    Comment: You could argue that the currents system is so corrupt that we need an independent in there two drag the Republicans and Democrates back to the will of America and American interest not world interest.

  • Posted By: atonyharding @ 02/24/2008 2:11:24 PM

    Comment: Nader for president. Turn your backs on the party system that isn't even what our country was founded on. In all honesty you could argue it unconstitutional. The constitution dictates that anybody can run for president and I even believe it states further that all names must appear on all ballots. Pretty simplistic given the mess we have today, with two parties waring against each other and dictating election rules.

  • Posted By: djd1992 @ 02/24/2008 12:42:32 PM

    Comment: Are we to believe that McCain is in bed with lobbyists and not Clinton and Obama? Why then did he raise so much less money than each of them did? There are serious reasons why someone might vote for Obama over McCain: universal medical care, the War in Iraq, tax policy. And these issues need to be debated. Why muddy the waters with unbalanced reporting and unsubstantiated charges?

  • Posted By: 15R8 @ 02/24/2008 12:33:34 PM

    Comment: Maybe an easy ride but not a free ride certinally not by the obamanation of scrutiny the press has given to the silver tounged Obama.
    Naters the hater of democratic victory will give McCain more of a free ride to the Whitehouse,as he spoiled before he seeks to spoil again, than the press . If it was not for the failure to uphold immergration law and the injustice given by republican judges I would vote for the Cainster

  • Posted By: mojoe @ 02/24/2008 12:24:08 PM

    Comment: Mc Cain doesn't have a "cozy relationship with the press" as you put it. Mc Cain was loved by the Democratic Party--controlled MSM as long as he was against President George W. Bush and things he wanted to accomplish. When however Mc Cain started to run on his own against a Democrat, he became a persona non grata to the MSM, who want to help get Democrats elected.

  • Posted By: politics12 @ 02/24/2008 11:19:45 AM

    Comment: Shallow and deceptive. Senator McCain has been a lair and fraud his entire political career. He has loudly decried bills in front of the Media and then voted for the very same bills. His close associate Congressman Rick Renzi is in Federal Court charged with a host of felonies resulting from land deals enabled by bills passed by the Congress that were co-sponsored by Senator McCain (and McCain's campaign pocketed over a million dollars from the grateful profiteers).

    The New York Times was on to a valuable story and investigation and then were sidetracked by the wily Bob Bennett (Clinton's criminal lawyer friend and advisor over the Lewinsky matter) with the romance innuendos. It wasn;t romance with lobbyist Ms Iseman that McCain's staffers were worried about, it was the Senator's selling of his office in return for free private planes, vacations, campaign donations and fund-raisers. Thank goodness that Mr. Paxson likes to keep video records of his conversations with Senator McCain and that his diary was not shredded so that he was able to point out that the day after Senator McCain wrote to the FEC ('most inappropriate' according to FEC chairman's stiff response) that he was a guest of honor at a lavish Palm Beach fundraiser for Senator McCain hosted by Ms. Iseman's boss.

    Shades of the Keating 5! Is the Media's memory so short? McCain has been selling his office as long as he has been in it.

  • Posted By: mmerenz @ 02/24/2008 9:45:25 AM

    Comment: Paul Wldman,
    I find you to be the most shallow of any of the people that you mentioned in this article, including Hillary. Do you really think you will influence voters with this so called interview? McCain isn't the Jeckle & Hyde that your trying to portray him as. Just for arguments sake, could McCain possible be the real deal and like to have transparency on the issues? Could it be that's why he does the open and honest interviews? Could he be the only real conservative candidate that isn't affraid to take on the republican political machine and that's why he appears to be teflon coated? He has always voted his constituants way. It's been a while since I have had a civics or govt. lesson but I think we elect our Senators to do just that for us.

  • Posted By: cowen123456 @ 02/24/2008 9:38:50 AM

    Comment: Another non-story story....man, must be a really thin pile of things you have on Mccain for every networks to take a slice from a story that's been around for 8 years. Now all are trying to tie it to the idea that Mccain was so close in proximity with a lobbyist....sitting only a few feet away from her.....hmmmm, and? To put the promximity angle into perspective......was Obama not have regular basketball games and poker games with lobbyiest on a weekly basis when he was in the legislature? In terms of feet, wouldn't that put him in closer proximity then Mccain to this woman? If so, when will the media pull out the measuring stick and begin to total the # of feet each of these candidates have been with a lobbyist and divide it by the # of times and report the averages to us. Can you hear the ridiculousness of this? The sad thing is that most americans are too busy to put food on the table to analyze every aspect of these tabloid stories to get to the truth. The rely on their trust of the media to provide facts and only facts so they can form their judgement. What in the world are you guys in the media doing to the public when you slant and twist and imply such inuendo without much substance? you are doing the public a great disservice and this has been the greatest blunder i've seen in this election. The media as become a dangerious medium for lies and bias with the voters as the biggest victims.

  • Posted By: philr @ 02/24/2008 4:32:42 AM

    Comment: shame on you NYT!!!

  • Posted By: philr @ 02/24/2008 4:31:59 AM

    Comment: NYT is so full of bullshit!!!

  • Posted By: philr @ 02/24/2008 4:30:35 AM

    Comment: I used to consider NYT one of the best newspapers, but right now it is just so full of ***. To NYT reporters: just because you guys are so desperate to get a dem in the white house, doesn't mean you should go out and fight dirty and publishing ridiculous stories about the republicans. john mccain will become president and he will be a great president and all you pitiful S.O.B. 's have totally lost it if you think you can play politics by saying horrendous lies about decent and honourable politicians.

  • Posted By: ayoss58 @ 02/24/2008 4:17:38 AM

    Comment: Yes,MaCain is a great war hero and rendered great services to his country.like all the other war heroes of Vietnam,they did their service to their country and we are grateful.However, this doesnot mean MaCain or any veteran HAS MORE RIGHTS to the president of the United States of America over other folks.In the US-constitution, where is stipulated that a war-hero has more right than other citizens???. That is a lot of bull.....Baloney, as Bush said !!!. Fact, well Lincoln, FDR,JFK, Clinton,Bush, etc were not war-heroes but still got elected.Bush got elected above MaCain in 2000!!!.
    Cindy MaCain is the worst choice for a first lady.A tight-lipped,humourless beer heiress who,when she opens her mouth,is only trash others better gifted than her.Worst, she is as tainted as MaCain is in her role in the Keating Five Scandal which costed the treasury $3.4 billion in losses.America can afford her or MaCain!!!.
    A MaCain presidency will be as disasterous as the Bush presidency. It will be a reign of terror where lobbyists rape the US-treasury with impunity.Given that MaCain is the least substantative candidate in the race,where his poor grasps of even the most basic of economic policy;makes him the least qualified among all the candidates for the economic challenges ahead.What policy plans does he offer.....Nothing!!!!.All he has been parotting from Bush is Bush's tax-cut which he promises as a campaign pledge to make permanent.But was this not the same MaCain who voted twrice against the Bush taxes???.Talk of a FLIP-FLOPPER, MaCain is in a class of his own!!!.What is to make him keep his campaign pledge???.His record on voting for the Bush Taxes........Hahahaha!!!.Who is being duped by MaCain with his straight talk now.Of course, republicans.With his small brain and flip-flopping,democrats will make a honest "liberal" once again!!!.

  • Posted By: ayoss58 @ 02/24/2008 3:23:32 AM

    Comment: Let the truth be told for once in the media!!!.Despite, the brilliant & well-documented piece by New Tork Times; due to MaCain's friends in the media like Oreilly,the beltwayboys,Chris,hannity and rest of conservative talk-show gangs and uncritical readers Macain is not only getting a free-ride but, also cashing on the story in soliciting contributions from blind supporters who have been exploited in the first place by MaCain.However, knowing who MaCain really is,the Arizona press calls him warts!!!
    Yes, the voters are being duped by MaCain's friends in the media like did in 2000 when they presented Bush as the honorable & straight-talking guy over Al-Gore!!!.
    The facts as of now.MaCain is now proven to have lied and contradicted himself when his dispositions surfaced yesterday.His denials of the charges brought against him by New York Times were contradicted by his own words in the dispositions!!!.
    MaCain,is know known,have made millions from corporate lobbyists when chair of the commerce committee.In his role in the Keating Five Scandal, he along his friends and wife were responsible for $3.4 billions losses in the loan & savings scam.Despite the fact that Keating,the scumbug was closely connected to MaCain and his wife,the court gave him not a prison sentence but a reprimand.Well, the well-connected always get away even with murder is it surprising MaCain got away???.
    But, this an election year,the voters are the last judge.MaCain the honorable & straight -talking man is now just an empty myth of yesterday!!!.He is done and finished!!!.

    • Posted By: mitch09 @ 02/28/2008 3:14:18 PM

      Comment: Between spelling McCain's name wrong, the horrible spelling, grammar and punctuation, I have no idea what your point was.

      The point is none of these candidates is without faults. And yes, that goes for your precious Obama too. I know that he is almost godlike in your eyes, but he has faults too, and they're just beginning to come out.

  • Posted By: NonUSAObserver @ 02/24/2008 2:34:55 AM

    Comment: From a South African's perspective, if McCain is nominated as the Republican nominee it will raise big questions about Bush's tactics in Africa re AFRICOM, for why would the Republicans want to nominate someone who can only see that perpetuating ongoing WAR will be a solution for restoring global peace.

    Dr. Ron Paul is the only Republican candidate who will seed, restore and enthuse a worldwide return to TRUSTING America as a global player.

  • Posted By: graciousray @ 02/24/2008 2:01:07 AM

    Comment: get rid of Mcain,now! the young are listening and waiting to see if a man with such a past is chosen to be their leader. that can be expected of our youth?

    • Posted By: Eronohio @ 02/24/2008 6:32:29 PM

      Comment: One can say the same thing about Obama, here kids look at the man that lied his way to the White House and then did...wait what was it he was supposed to do...oh that's right change America through his non-committal answers and half truths. What a person to have the youth looking up to.

  • Posted By: MK Chicago @ 02/24/2008 1:00:13 AM

    Comment: Yes the press gets things wrong. Currently it is Obama! But of course a correction will be made once the MSN has ensconced him in the Oval Office.

  • Posted By: gigamick @ 02/24/2008 12:06:39 AM

    Comment: In addition to the fact that Newsweek has already caught the McCain camp in a blatant lie with an article they just released: http://www.newsweek.com/id/114505

    I'd urge everyone to read a well-researched analysis of John McCain's (continued) involvement in the Jack Abramoff cover up on the blog DailyKos:http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/2/23/03912/3990


    It is long, but only because it covers the issue in depth and provides both quotes and links to sources for them. If only a formidable media outlet out there had the fortitude to pick this story up, it would really expose how corrupt McCain really is...

  • Posted By: feduo @ 02/23/2008 11:25:12 PM

    Comment: TALK ABOUT A FREE RIDE OBAMA BLEW HIS NOSE AND THE CROWD APPLAUDED THE NETWORKS CARRIED IT. IF HE HAD FARTED AND GOT A STANDING OVATION THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE TOP HEADER FOR THE WEEK. AT LEAST IT'S BETTER THAN HIS SENATE VOTES OR POLICIES.

  • Posted By: feduo @ 02/23/2008 11:12:52 PM

    Comment: OBAMA IS A FREE RIDE CANDIDATE. WITH McCAIN'S LONG HISTORY OF PATRIOTIC,BRAVE,HONEST, AND HONORABLE SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY HE AND HIS WIFE CINDY DESERVE TO BE IN THE WHITE HOUSE.. CAN YOU IMAGINE THE OBAMA CABINET? LOOK AT THE PEOPLE HE QUOTES AND COPIES. KENYAN POLITICS NEED TO STAY IN KENYA.

  • Posted By: REisman @ 02/23/2008 10:56:00 PM

    Comment: A free ride has definitely been given to Obama not McCain. That's the one candidate that's received no scrutiny. We are all going to be in a lot of trouble if he is actually elected. Experience with McCain versus no experience with Obama. I'd love to see McCain win!

  • Posted By: REisman @ 02/23/2008 10:49:07 PM

    Comment: Obama is definitely been the candidate with a free ride. He is completely lacking in the experience needed to be President of the US. It's hard to believe that a candidate just has to say "change...." and eveyone is in love. Give me a break. We are in for some real trouble if he is elected. REisman

    • Posted By: politics12 @ 02/24/2008 11:54:49 AM

      Comment: Michelle Robinson Obama is a vocal and valuable asset to her husband's campaign for the Democratic nomination. Or is she? Aside from her remarks on her lack of pride in being an American, Mrs. Obama has been less than truthful in her depiction of her early years. Michelle Robinson Obama claims to have grown up in 'a one bedroom tenement on Chicago's south side'. This does not square with the facts of her Father's US$42000 plus a year salary in the late 1960's-80's (More than US$150000 in today's dollars) as an engineer with Chicago Water or the gracious lst floor 4 bedroom apartment on Euclid Avenue, Chicago in which she was raised--an area of spacious homes in tree-lined garden streets! Nor with the fact that Mrs. Robinson did not work but spent her time ensuring that her son and daughter had the best that could be offered to comfortably middle class children--the magnet school for giftd children, home cooked nightly family dinners, music lessons, sports and vacations that w ere all taken for granted by the young Michelle.
      It is sad that for political gain, Michelle Obama now lies about her background and her father's achievements in providing so well for his family.
      Senator Obama likewise feels no necessity to tell the truth and even actively participates in telling lies viz the Ohio pamphlets. The Media lets him coast.

  • Posted By: cerebral_but_dull @ 02/23/2008 10:45:21 PM

    Comment: "Base your vote on research and knowledge that you can do independently!" - We don't grow our own food or build our own houses any more, and it's impractical for me to do background checks, vetting, and investigative reports on each candidate. I have no opportunity to interview Obama to ask tough followups to see if he can handle them. The media is proudly drinking the kool aid and I won't forgive them, in advance, for refusing to do their job.

  • Posted By: yael @ 02/23/2008 10:44:54 PM

    Comment: The only free ride given by the media this time around is spelled O-b-a-m-a.

    • Posted By: gannonbm @ 08/06/2008 4:33:41 PM

      Comment: P-r-e-s-i-d-e-n-t

  • Posted By: jwwhit @ 02/23/2008 9:26:40 PM

    Comment: Has McCain got a free ride? Maybe, but the longets free ride belongs to Obama!

  • Posted By: zabjudah1976 @ 02/23/2008 9:08:15 PM

    Comment: Newsweek is asking whether McCain has got a free ride and not their anointed messiah, Obama. What a joke. If anyone got a free ride, its Obama!!!

  • Posted By: zabjudah1976 @ 02/23/2008 9:07:44 PM

    Comment: Newsweek is asking whether McCain has got a free ride and not their anointed messiah, Obama. What a joke. If anyone got a free ride, its Obama!!!

  • Posted By: zabjudah1976 @ 02/23/2008 9:04:58 PM

    Comment: Baxter

    Newswek is asking if McCain has got a free ride from the media, and not if Obama has got a free ride. What a liberal media joke!!!!

  • Posted By: luckylarry @ 02/23/2008 8:35:01 PM

    Comment: Why is the liberal media attempting to steer the election? I am truly amazed about the unethical and careless journalism that stoops to any level to win (ie: The New York Times). It is not the canidates mud slinging but the damn news media. Just report truthful news and let people decide things on their own. No need for half truths and outright lies so their guy can win, lets get this country back on track with honesty and ethics. Why can't people be trusted by their word? Do what you say! Even if it hurts a little. In plain english just be an honorable man or woman.

  • Posted By: TheSage @ 02/23/2008 8:19:16 PM

    Comment: Please. This is about trying sell some second rate book that will end up being sold for $1 soon enough. How about investigatng the now almost unverisally ridiculed NY Enquirer, I mean TImes, fluff piece attempting to smear McCain? All the news that's fit to slant. Next thing they will be trying to convince us that Keith Olbermann is a serious journalist!

  • Posted By: TheSage @ 02/23/2008 8:14:15 PM

    Comment: Ridiulous - a "left leaning" group analyzing the media? Give me a break. That is like having Clemens analyze baseball drug use. Next thing you know we will be calling Keith Olbermann a serious journalist.

    How about analyzing the now fairly universally discredited NY Enquirer, er I mean, Times piece? If that is the best the press can do to smear McCain, it is pretty said. This is all about trying to sell a book that will wind up on the discount rack in a couple of months.

  • Posted By: Uncle Milty @ 02/23/2008 7:08:15 PM

    Comment: Mr Waldman sounds like a man who has been ignored and doesn't like it. He says nothing of substance that would encourage an individual to change their vote.
    uncamilty

  • Posted By: lillea @ 02/23/2008 5:23:31 PM

    Comment: Hey, did you see Obama's eyes darting around as he told his "white lie" during the debate last Tues.?? He made up this story about soldiers in Afghanistan. Well, he took bits and pieces of an military training incident that happened in 2003 and tried to make it sound like it was current and in active fighting. Whew. He is naive and careless.
    Don't vote for this guy....he doesn't realize the serious nature of terrorism and what careless words can do to set them off. He needs to open his eyes to reality. (And stay off the dope.)

  • Posted By: girlfriend2 @ 02/23/2008 5:15:09 PM

    Comment: Mc Cain distracted the media with the so called "sex" scandle.It diverted your attention away from the real issue, no money ( Fidelity Bank loan to his campaign and the FEC) and no love from the conservative talk show hosts. So while the fickle media focused on the lobbyist , money begin to flow and the love fest begin. Just what Mc Cain needed.And him and Guliani pulled off the "sting of the cetury with New Hamshire and Florida.LOL.Conservatives don't vote against same sex unions and place a conservative on the SUPREME court . That's way you better have a mind of your own ,because the media is as gullible as they can be...

  • Posted By: Rhino26.2 @ 02/23/2008 4:29:47 PM

    Comment: I asked Obama people about the issues and instead they gave me their personal testimony about how they "came to Obama."

    Isn't "personal testimony" religious talk? What's it doing in a political campaign?

  • Posted By: Rhino26.2 @ 02/23/2008 4:28:04 PM

    Comment: Yes! Of course! After all, what else do you get from 52 appearances on Meet the Press?

    And look how cozy he is with Limbaugh, Hannity, Ingraham, and the rest of right wing talk radio.

    For true objectivity, go to dailykos.com.

  • Posted By: djd1992 @ 02/23/2008 4:17:51 PM

    Comment: This , just like the NY Times article, appears to be motivated more by a disagreement with McCain's politics than by a real desire for truth. Otherwise such accusations would have come to light long before he became the presumptive Republican nominee. Sadly, such charges only distract us from the significant policy differences there are between him and the Democrats and they will only further polarize us politically.

  • Posted By: cerebral_but_dull @ 02/23/2008 3:44:13 PM

    Comment: The 'free ride' is for Obama, who is never challenged in the slightest by Chris Matthews, Tim Russert, or even 60 Minutes. Just let the man deliver a speech! To try to catch him in a contradiction, as they do relentlessly with every other candidate, would be racist -- wouldn't it? I liked Obama, I wanted to vote for him! But with the media gulping the kool aid, I just can't.

    • Posted By: Boulder Sue @ 02/23/2008 4:29:51 PM

      Comment: cerebral: so now tou are going to let the media decide for you in reverse, so to speak? Base your vote on research and knowledge that you can do independently!

  • Posted By: dlaurels @ 02/23/2008 3:35:36 PM

    Comment: I think we are going to find that Senator McCain not only has close ties with the press but with the lobbyists also. One does not hire or have so many lobbyist associated with one's campaign if that person has not been a bit too cosy with that particular group of people.

  • Posted By: woodwich@cox.net @ 02/23/2008 2:45:55 PM

    Comment: When is the media going to start questioning John McCain on his policies? We hear of Barack lacking in substance yet McCain has never state where he stands except his stance on the war in Iraq. We all KNOW what that is. But where is his polices on the economy, health, education? He says he is the most "Experienced"! Let's see some of that experience! No hype, McCain! Let's hear what your policies are!!!

  • Posted By: politically incorrect @ 02/23/2008 2:16:13 PM

    Comment: "McCain's Free Ride"?!?!?! How about Obama's Free Ride? We used to have qualification standards in this country when electing a president: That he/she be able to present to the public at least a miniscule list of accomplishments as a public leader before asking them for election to the highest office in the land. "The Audacity of Hope' should be re-titled 'The Audacity of Arrogant Presumption'.

    John McCain has been affecting for positive change in the House and Senate for 25 years, often bucking the G.O.P. party line to do what he feels is for the greater good. And he's sacrificed more for his country in his younger years than Obama could (or would) ever be willing to do during his entire lifespan.

    What's Obama's crowning achievement in his 3 years in the Senate? He helped enact legislation that allows lobbyists and congressmen to dine together only if they're standing up, not sitting down. WOW! And in terms of biographical background, do we really want a Commander-in-Chief who grew up in a Muslim country and who's family was never even proud of America until it started casting votes for him?

    If a white Republican were to run for president with Obama's biography and short list of accomplishments (or lack thereof), would anyone in the press even give him the time of day? Let's be honest: Barack Obama is the national media's affirmative action darling. Anyone who even questions his preparedness to be president is smeared as a racist by the press (e.g. Bill Clinton in South Carolina).

    Who exactly has been getting the free ride in the media?

  • Posted By: Eronohio @ 02/23/2008 12:02:54 PM

    Comment: I challenge all those in the media that believe that McCain is getting a "free ride" to actually step up and ask some questions that Newsweek believes is substantiative in nature, I believe you will all be surprised. McCain is a politician, but unlike Obama he has the answers to the questions that matter, why would he have to show how he differs from Obama on issues that Obama has yet to address and will never address. Save it for later when they are going at it in the presidential campaigns. Also I have to agree with many of the posts that are calling for an in-depth look at the treatment Obama is receiving from the media, every time he speaks the news networks break in on the other candidates speeches, and he has yet to be called out for his lack of ideas regarding how he will actually "change" America. Open your eyes, U.S. media, call it fairly for both sides.

  • Posted By: Defender @ 02/23/2008 10:09:09 AM

    Comment: Thank you Mr Philips, (Waldman et all) and SPECIALLY the NY TIMES for TRYING to bring the VOTERS to consider the REAL "CLEAR & PRESENT DANGER"... a McCain in the White House..... Like exCandidate Hart who challanged the press with his brazen selfpromotion of his impeccable "character" the "Mr Clean, Straight Talker" Mr McCain deserves a FAIR REVIEW OF HIS GROWING STRING OF LIES....
    Also: 30% of Japanese prisoners of war in Soviet hands returned as THEIR AGENTS, under control of Soviet spies... the % of returning German POWs WAS EVEN GREATER.
    MANY WERE PSYCHOLOGICALLY captive, blindly obedient to proper call... It was once an IRON RULE that returning POWs are a too great a security risk to be EVER given access to too sensitive knowledge... WHERE ARE OUR GOP "SECURITY EXPERTS"???? Unfair as it may be - a stint in communist hands was, AND SHOULD (unfortunately) CONTINNUE TO BE, a HIGHLY SUSPECT event in any one's life. Fortunatelly with Sen McCain just his $$$$$ affairs with the various lobbys SHOULD KEEP HIM OUT of the Presidency!

  • Posted By: DCBuffalo @ 02/23/2008 9:58:30 AM

    Comment: McCain has been riding his Viet Nam POW crutch for a long time now. At first he didn't want to use it to his benefit, now he lets others do the talking. Let's remember about Viet Name for those of you who werent teen agers then. It was a total disasterous war against the enemy of the US. Remember all the propaganda back then about the Reds coming to America to take over? Do you recall that if we lost the battle in Southeast Asia American and world freedom would be over? Well, we lost that war, the world freedom trail hasn't changed, in fact it has gotten better since, and most of all Viet Nam is now a favored nation in respect to trade with the US. Can you now draw any parrallels to the Middle East? I bet most still cant.

  • Posted By: Old vet @ 02/23/2008 9:58:18 AM

    Comment: Ok ,I know this will make some people angry but I'm wondering how many returning POW's from Viet Nam have not been diagnosed with Post Tramatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I'm a 60 year old Vet who has been working with disabled veterans for more than a year after a 25 year carreer in human services. Most of these Vets are Viet Nam era soldiers who did not spend time as POW's and virtually all of them are PTSD. I've just got to wonder how a person who was treated so inhumanly by his captors could avoided struggling with PTSD.

  • Posted By: Mara R. @ 02/23/2008 9:46:33 AM

    Comment: A free ride? Isn't this the guy that the media left for dead in August? If you want to do some in-depth examination, why not Barack Obama? Never mind, then the media would actually have to examine themselves. Never happen.

  • Posted By: Citizen Phil @ 02/23/2008 8:23:18 AM

    Comment: It???s not just the press that gives McCain a free ride, it???s the mental lethargy of voters (granted, the two are connected). A recent CNN poll shows 55% of Texans think Bush is doing a lousy job, 61% are opposed to the Iraq war, and 62% think the economy is in recession. Yet the same poll shows 52% of Texans are ready to elect a candidate who promises nothing more inspiring than four more years of Bushism! Who???s kidding whom? Is Texas really that doggedly ???red???? What part of "failed" do Texans not understand? Do their mothers routinely drop them on their heads?

  • Posted By: douglassoileau @ 02/23/2008 5:45:01 AM

    Comment: Hillary doubts the "Ride", was free. Hillary now accuses Mccain of "Plagiarism", She attributes the following lines used by Mccain to the "Former Rodent Bill Clinton", (I did not have sexual relations with that woman), (I poked it but I did not inhale), (No, those were not Cuban Cigars,). and concerning his closing statement, (And that's all I Got to say about That(, Hilary stated was from her favorite movie, "F. Gump". Hillary stated it is obivious Mccain can't get past the politics of the 90's and the influence that Bill and "Viagra", had on them. Ms. Clinton stated, "It's time to get past these things and get on with the people's business", Water gate, FBI gate, Firing Gate, Vince Foster Gate, Ron Brown Gate and most of all Hillary's "universal health care and making sure the Government gives more of our money to Africa and the poor who doesn't want to work.....

  • Posted By: ronpaulatics @ 02/23/2008 5:04:48 AM

    Comment: Everywhere i go all I find, be it TV media, Newspaper/ print, and here at the online media sources, is constant talk of the candidates, Clinton and Obama, and McCain and Huckabee...How is it that there is another candidate still in the running for the GOP whom has no mention?....(his campaign coverage has been rejected by the media **WHY?** and therefore he is proceived to be non existant) But he does exsist and he sould have coverage (if not, at least , be mentioned and reconized of his candidacy) He is a true conservative.A real Republican, He is CONGRESSMAN DR. RON PAUL and he's got the right medicine to help America be well again! Shame on all media for not reporting on his existance in this race! I urge all Americans to go to WWW.RONPAUL2008.COM to at least find out what he plans to bring to the table and if he may be the candidate that would best represent you. He deserves to be considered!

  • Posted By: The Observer @ 02/23/2008 4:38:18 AM

    Comment: You have to laugh - the only person getting a free ride from the media is Barack Obama.

  • Posted By: Lionidze @ 02/23/2008 4:16:01 AM

    Comment: It's difficult not to like a guy who is a true American hero. And the media may find it a bit daunting to go negative on someone who spent five years in a cage in Hanoi. McCain is certainly a conservative but even the liberal press admires his war record. And this is especially true as many in the media have never been in the military. It is right? Not particularly. But it is understandable. I've been a yelloe dog Democrat all my life and will vote for Obama in the general election. Yet I have more negative thoughts about the Clintons than I do McCain. He deserves respect.

  • Posted By: True Grit @ 02/23/2008 2:01:49 AM

    Comment: Let's all send a political conservative shockwave to Washington D.C. and vote for Huckabee!

  • Posted By: True Grit @ 02/23/2008 2:00:46 AM

    Comment: Let's all send a political conservative shockwave to Washington D.C. and vote for Huckabee!

  • Posted By: seven-pesos @ 02/22/2008 11:21:12 PM

    Comment: mc cain is no hero...
    mc cain never faced an enemy combatant face to face in his whole career.
    mc cain dropped bombs on women and children in north vietnam
    while flying 30,000 ft. in the air.
    what kind of hero is that?

    • Posted By: cooldude1961 @ 02/23/2008 2:24:51 AM

      Comment: he was shot down and lived in a POW prison for 5 years. he was at the brink of death for some of it, and was tortured on many occasion. i think he saw plenty of the enemy in the prison. people flying planes put just as much on the line as the guys on the ground: their life, and that's what makes them all heroes.

  • Posted By: lillea @ 02/22/2008 11:20:08 PM

    Comment: Oh, please, Sen. McCain has gone through hell with the Republicans and then again with the New York Times. A free ride??? Hardly.
    The word free ride can be applied to Sen Obama. His theme song should be "Can't Touch This"

  • Posted By: J Druid @ 02/22/2008 10:31:29 PM

    Comment:
    The leaders of both the Republican and Democratic Parties are moving us closer and closer to Socialism, away from our Constitution (the true Test of American Patriotism). Both major parties pushed through the Patriot Act (a direct violation of our civil liberties) allowing the Federal government (and the lawmakers) greater access in to our personal lives. We have welfare, medicare, and medicaid, all basically federal government subsidies for Americans as a socialist distribution of wealth and commodities. Then, we have the continuation of undeclared War (a direct violation of our Constitution), allowing the President (or socialist leader) the ability to unilaterally decide whether our country (our Americans) go fight in another country using military resources and costing volunteer military lives.
    The very core values of America that the founding fathers of our country laid out for us are being destroyed, and our nation is moving in a perilous direction. The American people need to Wake up from their Slumber, and start helping educate their fellow Americans that we are not Socialists, but in fact we are a Nation of Patriots (people who live by and die for civil liberty as well as individual rights).
    Our country sorely needs a third party that will rejuvinate and unify the 40% of Americans that usually don't vote, to overcome the two party system of the Socialist Democrats and Socialist Republicans. Individuals always care for other individuals through charity and good deeds, the Federal government steals from individuals to line the pockets of the Corporations and maintain power for itself, leaving whatever remains recycled back to the American people.
    Stop sleep walking into Socialism --- Wake up and fight for our Founding Fathers core values of freedom and equality for all! Freedom from the Federal government intervention! Freedom from excessive taxation!

  • Posted By: J Druid @ 02/22/2008 10:31:10 PM

    Comment: "There's only "a dime's worth of difference" between the Republican and Democratic parties, and they're fighting over that dime! "
    Obama, Clinton, McCain, Huckabee --
    1. All voted to continue funding the Iraq War.
    2. All support "comprehensive immigration reform" -- Washington speak for Amnesty for illegal aliens. They want their big corporation buddies to be happy now don't they with their cheap labor. Meanwhile we pay higher taxes to offset the burden that would put on Social security, Medicare, Medicaid, Welfare. If you subsidize something you get more of it, the more we subsidize illegal immigration the more we will get of it, and the more illegal alien families will be affected and hurt.
    3. All wish to enact some socialist program or another for the "greater good" -- Translation, we want you to pay higher taxes so we (the federal government) can spend it in the way that benefits our special interest group. Obama (Health care insurance companies), Clinton ( Pharmaceuticals), McCain (Military industrial complex including all military corporations), Huckabee (Military industrial complex).
    4. All are for reforming Washington and ridding it of government and lobbyist control (well so they say).
    5. All support the Patriot Act (a direct violation of our civil liberties)

  • Posted By: bigbrewhaha @ 02/22/2008 9:49:30 PM

    Comment: This election season has nothing to do with platforms and politics it's merely a case study in generational ideologies. It seems to me a lot people can't seem to wrap their head around the fact that younger generations do not put up with ignorant obsolete sanctimonious old people because we don't have to. You guys (i.e. ignorant, prejudiced, scared of everyone that isn't white and speaks english fogeys)...(republicans) do nothing but get in the way of progress, oh and by the way in case you didn't realize it yet it isn't your country anymore, it's ours now. You guys (you know who you are, see above if you are confused) have, since day one made decisions based on fears and prejudices that your parents believed in or maybe a preacher taught you or perhaps were generally accepted in the time period when you grew up, I'm sorry but we just don't do that anymore you guys are done and if you don't think so you will have your pompous high and mighty name run through the mud until you understand that you are nothing more than a regular flawed person just like the rest of us. Most people in their 20's and 30's and 40's are not going to vote for McCain for one simple reason, fear tactics don't work on us, sorry Mac. You guys will never get it and you need to, you see pious right wing evangelical fear mongering is over with now. It was like communism, sure it had its heyday, and it worked when people were poor and ignorant, but had no staying power because its success was dependent on keeping people stupid and afraid. Consider swallowing that big bitter pill of reality and recognize (as soon as possible) that hating, killing, prejudice, and bigotry was a defining characteristics of YOUR generation not ours. Your time has passed.

  • Posted By: Don Kuhns @ 02/22/2008 9:44:10 PM

    Comment: Thanks for finally noticing the elephant in the room. Everyone gripes about the fact that Barack Obama has never been "vetted" by the press, but what about McCain, who has basked in the media spotlight for 8 years now?. When has he ever been vetted? It's true that Obama has been handled with kid gloves up until now, but this hardly compares to the sheer adulation of the Washington press corps for Senator McCain.

  • Posted By: jwpc1974 @ 02/22/2008 9:34:26 PM

    Comment: I think a more story that desperately needs to be reported is "Obama's Free Ride". Before the Democratic nominee's name is etched in stone the media "wanna-be 'kingmakers'" are starting to redirect their arrows from Hillary to McCain in hopes of fatally wounding him in an obscenely overt attempt to (justify their own existence and) ensure Obama's effortless election in November. GIVE ME A BREAK! It is stories like the professionally irresponsible New York Times article/attack and the obnoxious and cultish media love-fest with Obama, both of which are wholly devoid of journalistic merit, that more than you can imagine has turned off legions of truly and passionately concerned Americans who hoped for more out of this election that a popularity contest for president. As a life-long Democrat who has worked for "the cause" and finds it extremely difficult and unnatural to defend a Republican under almost any circumstances I find the shocking lack of shame with which "journalists" so easily level virtually unsubstantiated allegations against a candidate for president insulting and unhelpful. SHAME ON YOU! It is a sad commentary on the American electoral system that so many partisan, scrappy, say-and-write-anything-to-get-noticed journalistic fleas are allowed to wield so much unjustified and reckles influence over the nominating processes. SAD, SAD, SAD. The American people have been robbed of their voices and votes. Will we ever get them back?

  • Posted By: alaska diva @ 02/22/2008 8:54:15 PM

    Comment: So, the press is interviewing the press about how they keep giving these candidates a pass? And you're all not totally embarrassed by this? And McCain has no substantive ideas? Hey, you leave the people who lay out their ideas and platforms on the fringe, won't let them play on the debate team, and generally give the voters whatever titillates the viewer/reader. May Bill Moyers haunt your dreams forever!


  • Posted By: Dr. Sam @ 02/22/2008 8:45:52 PM

    Comment: SOME CORRECTIONS, PLEASE! SORRY FOR ANY INCOVENIENCE.

    Comment: THIS IS A SPLENDID INTERVIEW, ESPECIALLY ON THE MCCAIN STORY WITH THE PRESS. Though some people make light of it, there is also the issue of inappropriate relationships--with a woman lobbist and with lobbists generally while he sat a Chairman of the Commerce Committee. Let us at least admit that nobody is perfect, that in fact McCain has made some missteps that many in the press make light of. Why were McCain staffers worried enough to try to keep the woman in question from him? Any favors to the lobbyist? Do people in public office readily admit to anything unless caught red-handed. It took a Kenneth Star to out Bill Clinton. We must not get into this habit of being disarmed once Sen. McCain says "honor, country and integrity." I find it very interesting that just two days ago, Sen. McCain was engaging in what, according to his own words, amounts to "gutter politics" when he assailed Obama's statement and speeches as "empty". THOSE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NOT THROW THE FIRST STONE, they say! REMEMBER THIS STATEMENT? Describing Sen. Obama's statement and speeches as "empty" even when he has advanced many concrete policy positions (McCain hasn't, but the press is not asking), many would say, is "gutter politics" and opportunistic. It would have been more honorable to point out where he disagreed with Sen. Obama on issues, instead of trying to belittle and marginalize him or call him names (something you hear from immature kids in the school yard), which sounds a bit racist. I remember how Sen. McCain felt when the Bush people "fleet-boated" him. He should not be doing it against others, or he will completely lose credibility. He should not be sounding like Bill and Hillary, the new poster couples on gutter-sniping! It is ironic that he now complains against the New York Times and Newsweek will follow. I can't help wondering whether Mike Huckabee or Romney had anything to do with moving the story along. Who benefits from any fallout? Finally, let's not get into believing that Sen. McCain is an untouchable because he served his country. His service is great, and must always be acknowledged; but it is no more important than those of thousands of servicemen and women who suffered, even died, in our current and past wars. There should be no sacred cow??? in a true democracy where there are competing ideas and sometimes solitudes. Service alone should not imply that one is the best leader for the country even when he has ideas that so many Americans disagree with!



    • Posted By: ISawYourMommy @ 02/22/2008 9:31:07 PM

      Comment: Choo! Choo!

      All Aboard!

      The Idiot Train is leaving the station!

  • Posted By: Boulder Sue @ 02/22/2008 8:31:24 PM

    Comment: I never really considered it before, but I think maybe he has gotten a pretty free ride, when you put it all together, probably in large part because of his Viet Nam experience,plus the way he has learned to manage the press, who are human, after all, and will fall for the "right" treatment from a nice guy gambit.

  • Posted By: Dr. Sam @ 02/22/2008 8:13:00 PM

    Comment: THIS IS A SPENDID INTERVIEW, ESPECIALLY ON THE MCCAIN STORY WITH THE PRESS. Though some people make light of it, there is also the issue of inappropriate relationships--with a woman lobbist and with lobbists generally while he sat a Chairman of the Commerce Committe. Llet us at least admit that nobody is perfect, that in fact McCain has made some missteps that many in the press make light of. Why were McCain staffers worried enough to try to keep the woman in question from him? Any favors to the lobbyist? Do people in public office readily admit to anything unless caught red-handed. It took a Kenneth Star to out Bill Clinton. We must not get into this habit of being disarmed once Sen. McCain says "honor, country and integrity." I find it very interesting that just two days ago, Sen. McCain was engaging in what, according to his own words, amounts to "gutter politics" when he assailed Obama's statement and speeches as "empty". THOSE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES SHOULD NOT THROW THE FIRST STONE, they say! REMEMBER THIS STATEMENT? Describing Sen. Obama's statement and speeches as "empty" even when he has advanced many concrete policy positions (McCain hasn't, but the press is not asking), many would say, is "gutter politics" and opportunistic. It would have been more honorable to point out where he disagreed with Sen. Obama on issues, instead of trying to belittle and marginalize him or call him names (something you hear from immature kids in the school yard), which sounds a bit racist. I remember how Sen. McCain felt when the Bush people "fleet-boated" him. He should not be doing it against others, or he will completely lose credibility. He should not be sounding like Bill and Hillary, the new poster couples on gutter-sniping! It is ironic that he now complains against the New York Times and Newsweek will follow. I can???t help wondering whether Mike Huckabee or Romney had anything to do with moving the story along. Who benefits from any fallout? Finally, let???s not get into believing that Sen. McCain is an untouchable because he served his country. His service is great, and must always be acknowledged; but it is no more important than those of thousands of servicemen and women who suffered, even died, in our current and past wars. There should be no ???sacred cow??? in a true democracy where there are competing ideas and sometimes solitudes. Service alone should not imply that one is the best leader for the country even when he has ideas that so many Americans disagree with!

  • Posted By: FloridaFrank @ 02/22/2008 7:49:52 PM

    Comment: A Free Ride - If McCain is getting a free ride how would you describe your coverage of Obama - You have yet to ask anything serious of Obama - You have just drank the koolaid and let him slide

  • Posted By: FloridaFrank @ 02/22/2008 7:48:22 PM

    Comment: Free Ride - Give me a break - Shouldn't you be asking this question of Obama

  • Posted By: PPatrick29 @ 02/22/2008 7:44:50 PM

    Comment: I was actually dissapointed Romney dropped out. More surprised than dissapointed though. I really thought he would be the nominee, he just came of as the most "Republican" to me. His presence at the debates, his good looks and deep voice, and deep pockets. Mc Cain should seriously consider him as his runing mate. Of course, since I am a huge Hillary supporter this is borderline blasphemy for me but hey, I am not an American to be pigeon-holed!!!! I am one of those young,independent, small donor voters-for Hillary, yes we do exist!

  • Posted By: mexed @ 02/22/2008 7:41:42 PM

    Comment: I just didn't like Romney. No logic there. I'm not a McCain fan either, nor do I support the Republican party. I think they are out of touch with the population as a whole, with the world, and with the present state of our financial status. The Republican party spells status and favors for the rich with the idea that they are going to do well for the poor. That notion has not worked since the begining of the industrial revolution when all the money bags then preached that line. That being said: Yes, you (press) have given John McCain the sweetheart underdog treatment. The press in the USA, first with radion, then TV and now the printed word investegators have all joined the soft news, opinion making game. I support the NYT, because it goes after everyone. The do hard reporting for and against Democrats and Republicans. If someone wants to call them liberal, no problem. Liberals eat their own as well as others. Thanks to the NYT we have some real investigation going on.

  • Posted By: PPatrick29 @ 02/22/2008 7:38:23 PM

    Comment: I guess from reading some comments some things don't change. Hey all you potential first ladies out there-get ready to get insulted based on looks by a buch of guys who are probably so dog-ugly you wouldn't even care to talk to them. America will never be "ready" for anything other than my white grandpa as president so let's just make the country ready and vote for something real, different, new, and with substance. Clinton/Obama 2008!!!

  • Posted By: PPatrick29 @ 02/22/2008 7:38:01 PM

    Comment: I guess from reading some comments some things don't change. Hey all you potential first ladies out there-get ready to get insulted based on looks by a buch of guys who are probably so dog-ugly you wouldn't even care to talk to them. America will never be "ready" for anything other than my white grandpa as president so let's just make the country ready and vote for something real, different, new, and with substance. Clinton/Obama 2008!!!

  • Posted By: faminchin @ 02/22/2008 7:15:04 PM

    Comment: I think it's so funny, McCain, accused of something without any evidence or support of the claim, and this is called a "Free Ride".....lol

    While Obama, is given rock star status, goes unquestioned, and will probably be elected without anybody even knowing anything about him.

    Personally, I have never been less interested in an up coming election. I believe our country needs change! I hear all three, McCain, Obama, and Clinton using the word change at every chance, yet all three represent the problem, not the solution. Obama says he will bring the two parties together and get something accomplished, yet his voting record as a Senator shows he is one of the most partisn Senator's in Washington. I don't think anybody wants Clinton, and I don't think anybody wants McCain.

    So we are forced once again to chose between the lessor of the evils, and probably the most evil of them all is really the one getting the free ride. We really know so little about Obama! We know too much about McCain and Clinton! It's a shame when the unknown is the most attractive of the choices.

  • Posted By: pdxkevin @ 02/22/2008 6:48:43 PM

    Comment: Okay, sorta off topic, but what is wup with Cindy McCain? Have any of you Googled her image? Can you say IVANA? She looked sooooo much before the "lift". And, for those of you backing McCain for his "moral integrity" did you know that John McCain admits to having an affair with her, Cindy, while still married to his first wife, Carol." Hail to the Chief!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Posted By: retired bill @ 02/23/2008 8:25:26 AM

      Comment: Read the "U.S.Veteran Dispatch" article and you will get a factual assesment of Mr. McCain's background and military service. Dated Feb. 22, 2008. It isn't a very glowing account.
      There seem to be similarities between McCain and G.W. bush. Bush's daddy was President. G.W. wanted to be President. McCain's daddy was an admiral, McCain wanted to be an admiral. Both were party-hardy types in college (Nanal Academy for Mc.). Both got preferential treatment in the military. Both were less than stellar pilots. McCain had numerous affairs, some reportedly with subordinates (with G.W. that's only speculation, but I wouldn't bet my farm against it), both rode their father's and father-in-law's coattails into political office. Think about these facts, and they are facts.
      Also, Cindy McCain, if she had been a regular drug-addicted type who used false prescriptions (the physician surrendered his license), stole drugs form her company, and tried to do a cover-up, would have been in jail.
      McCain spent years in a POW cell; for that I can respect him. Other than that, he demands or deserves none of my respect or support. Especially his treatment of his ex-wife.

  • Posted By: whala @ 02/22/2008 6:39:27 PM

    Comment: You really have to wonder about a system that allows the media to steer the mass of lemmings we call Americans into voting for whoever they want. The reality that a race can be decided before the majority of Americans even have a chance to vote is rediculous.

  • Posted By: tomdurk @ 02/22/2008 5:52:57 PM

    Comment: Finally the MSM mwdia wakes up. We paid--and our greandchildren will be paying--for the current disaster. All because the press rolled over & played dead for bush. All he had to so was feed them hot meals and give them cute nicknames. And we ended up with the Worst President Ever.

  • Posted By: tomdurk @ 02/22/2008 5:49:08 PM

    Comment: Finally some realistic press in the MSM> We paid--and our grandchildren will be paying--bec