McCain’s ‘Free Ride’

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.

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?

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.

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!

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

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

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!

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.

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!!!

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!!!

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.

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.

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.

Finally some realistic press in the MSM> We paid--and our grandchildren will be paying--because the press rolled over & played dead for bush for the last 8 years. Just because he gave them hot meals & nicknames . . .

David Brock? I respect a guy who, once realizing he's been lied to,
says, "Fool me once, shame on me. Won't get fooled again."

David Brock? I respect a guy who, once realizing he's been lied to,
says, "Fool me once, shame on me. Won't get fooled again."

Why don't you leftists, quislings, seditionists, traitors, and general scum dwelling nematodes just give it up? We know is is difficult for you to dig an even deeper hole of mistrust and scorn for you unethical cretins, but, nevertheless, keep it up. We are enjoying your slide into hot magma. Pathetic fools.

David Brock? You guys are quoting that flake? First he attacks Anita Hill then hits Bill Clinton over trooper gate. Then he says he's had a road to Damascus conversion and becomes an avid anti Repubilcan. Then he completely renounces his book in time to become a paid hack writing books for the left. Come on... aren't there more reputable journo types you could go to??

Cyberhillbilly