July 23, 2008 10:23 AM
- Text
Starting Gate: Big (Media) Love
John McCain is feeling neglected these days. While Barack Obama is off gallivanting around the globe and getting the kind of media attention usually reserved for an actual president, McCain finds himself struggling, not too successfully, to get into the storyline.
McCain's campaign tried to pre-empt Obama's trip last week by releasing an ad attacking Obama on Iraq and Afghanistan even as the Democrat was en route to the war zones. Yesterday, the campaign ratcheted up their growing complaints about the media's coverage of Obama by posting a Web video mocking the press and basically belittling those intrepid journalists traveling with McCain.
The frustration is understandable for someone who has been accused of being the media's darling for nearly a decade. Back in the halcyon days of the 2000 campaign, McCain was on the other side of the equation, basking in the media attention his bull sessions on the Straight Talk Express created. It was McCain, in those days, who the media seemed to be infatuated with. And the interest did not wane in the years after the election as McCain became one of the best-known fixtures on the media circuit.
But the reasons for the attention McCain has traditionally received from the press aren't hard to figure out. His personal story as a war hero and POW has always been a riveting storyline for the senator – one that his campaign uses often themselves. His bitter primary battle with George W. Bush in 2000 elevated his political position. Here was a politician frequently at odds with his own party on big issues, whether it was campaign finance reform or immigration reform. And he has been one of the most visible critics and supporters of the administration's conduct of the war in Iraq.
Surely McCain's campaign understands the interest in Obama now as the media – and the country – continue to try and get to know this new political phenomenon. Still, they seem to be hoping that, through all the complaints, they can guilt the media into providing him equal time. It's a strategy that might not be working out for them exactly.
There's new controversy arising from McCain's interview with Katie Couric for last night's CBS Evening News after McCain refuted Obama's insistence that violence in Iraq may have waned even without the surge, as was evidenced by growing cooperation of Sunni leaders in fighting al Qaeda even before the surge was announced. McCain disputed that, saying that the so-called "Anbar Awakening" was made possible by the surge, a contention that is being disputed by some. (You can read the entire transcript and watch the full video of Couric's interviews with both candidates at CBSNews.com).
The seeming flub joins a growing list of misstatements from McCain in recent weeks which are getting more and more attention. The Politico yesterday questioned whether his gaffes were a result of his age. The Washington Post follows up on that theme today and adds questions about whether McCain is getting preferential treatment. It just goes to show that not all coverage is good coverage.
Around The Track
Obama begins what could be the most difficult part of his trip today in Israel. His comments on the middle east peace process will be watched carefully.
Bobby Jindal made the rounds today on the morning news shows as speculation over the vice presidential sweepstakes swirls around him. McCain is slated to meet with Jindal this week but the Louisiana governor told the "Early Show" that he's happy with the job he has. ""I've got the job that I want... He's not going to offer it to me," Jindal said about the number two slot.
Did McCain drop a hint about Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty's future to a group of New Hampshire delegates or was he merely vouching for the man whose state hosts the convention?
"McCain is attacking too much and indiscriminately. The barrage undermines his brand, takes time away from telling voters what he might do for them, and looks awfully old-timey in a year when voters want a new brand. He should go on the offensive, yes, but in targeted forays." – Slate's John Dickerson, on McCain's new aggressiveness.
McCain's campaign tried to pre-empt Obama's trip last week by releasing an ad attacking Obama on Iraq and Afghanistan even as the Democrat was en route to the war zones. Yesterday, the campaign ratcheted up their growing complaints about the media's coverage of Obama by posting a Web video mocking the press and basically belittling those intrepid journalists traveling with McCain.
The frustration is understandable for someone who has been accused of being the media's darling for nearly a decade. Back in the halcyon days of the 2000 campaign, McCain was on the other side of the equation, basking in the media attention his bull sessions on the Straight Talk Express created. It was McCain, in those days, who the media seemed to be infatuated with. And the interest did not wane in the years after the election as McCain became one of the best-known fixtures on the media circuit.
But the reasons for the attention McCain has traditionally received from the press aren't hard to figure out. His personal story as a war hero and POW has always been a riveting storyline for the senator – one that his campaign uses often themselves. His bitter primary battle with George W. Bush in 2000 elevated his political position. Here was a politician frequently at odds with his own party on big issues, whether it was campaign finance reform or immigration reform. And he has been one of the most visible critics and supporters of the administration's conduct of the war in Iraq.
Surely McCain's campaign understands the interest in Obama now as the media – and the country – continue to try and get to know this new political phenomenon. Still, they seem to be hoping that, through all the complaints, they can guilt the media into providing him equal time. It's a strategy that might not be working out for them exactly.
There's new controversy arising from McCain's interview with Katie Couric for last night's CBS Evening News after McCain refuted Obama's insistence that violence in Iraq may have waned even without the surge, as was evidenced by growing cooperation of Sunni leaders in fighting al Qaeda even before the surge was announced. McCain disputed that, saying that the so-called "Anbar Awakening" was made possible by the surge, a contention that is being disputed by some. (You can read the entire transcript and watch the full video of Couric's interviews with both candidates at CBSNews.com).
The seeming flub joins a growing list of misstatements from McCain in recent weeks which are getting more and more attention. The Politico yesterday questioned whether his gaffes were a result of his age. The Washington Post follows up on that theme today and adds questions about whether McCain is getting preferential treatment. It just goes to show that not all coverage is good coverage.
Around The Track
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