Is Obama Getting Too Much Coverage?

(CBS)  Sen. Barack Obama, continued a multi-nation overseas trip that has been dominating media coverage the last few days.

The widely covered trip is the latest example of what some critics are saying is a continuing pattern that puts Obama's presidential opponent, Sen. John McCain, at a disadvantage, reports CBS News correspondent Randall Pinkston.

The trip is a high risk gamble, and as one journalism expert adds, highly unusual.

"International travel is not usually a way for candidates to win the White House," says Tom Rosenstiel, the director of the Project For Excellence In Journalism. "That says something about Obama's needs as a candidate and what the issues are this year."

What Obama is trying to strengthen is his foreign policy credibility. McCain, a war hero with decades in the Senate, claims he already has it.

What McCain doesn't have these days is media magic.

Since June 9th, when Obama effectively clinched the votes for the nomination, the Project For Excellence In Journalism took a weekly look at 300 political stories in newspapers, magazines and television. In 77 percent of the stories, Obama played an important role, and 51 percent featured McCain.

"That's an edge," said Rosenthiel. "That is a big enough difference that it is an uneven playing field probably for McCain."

And there is more to come. As Obama continues his foreign travels to the Middle East and Europe, he will be interviewed by all three network anchors - CBS' Katie Couric on Tuesday, ABC's Charles Gibson on Eednesday and NBC's Brian Williams on Thursday.

While Obama's likely to endure tough questions from the networks, the amount of media attention will probably remain lopsided.

"A lot of Republicans are very frustrated with what they see is the uncritical coverage of Barack Obama's candidacy," said David Mark, a senior writer at Politico.com.

At the end of the day, Obama may have his chief political opponent to thank for this shower of media attention.

"This could end up backfiring on Sen. McCain who sort of goaded Barack Obama into taking this trip. On his Web site, he repeatedly had a sign up about how long it had been since he went to Iraq," Mark said.

The tour could also trip up Obama. One slip or gaffe could hurt his candidacy and give him the kind of media coverage he doesn't want.

[bigbeatguy]

Oh, come on. I see Obama way more than McCain....unfortunately, it''s on Fox News. Incredibly distorted negativity by the usual right wing hacks....but, hey, you''re right.......he get''s far more cov than McBush.
BTW, CBS, of all the disheartening things daily in this country, your inexcusable editing job is one of the worst.

[mattcbsmatt]

MANY WILL SHAL BE DECIVED
And it is politics and the media that is easy
A gift from the
Glee is free

[smarterthan]

Hey Right2laugh: Read the transcript on this page & watch the video of McCain''s ''We will come home in victory.'' CBS has to EDIT OUT McCain answers for him because he got it SOOOOO wrong on the correct surge, Anbar awakening,facts and dates. Remember McCain is just learning how to e-mail, it''s a shame because if he knew how to use the internet he could just google the RIGHT answers, look at current maps so he knows what borders a country has(Pakistan/Iraq?)Findout that Czechoslovakia is no longer a country, & hasn''t been for 15 years (signs of DEMENTIA: loss of short term memory). Maybe he could lookup Sunni muslim, Shia muslim & learn the difference & how important those differences are in Iraq. McCain could even go to the carpetbagger report & see all his flip-flops (66 & counting) then maybe he could get back to the STRAIGHT TALK which now is really another way of saying "SENIOR MOMENT!"

[lolis2008]

If the media loves Obama, why did Katie Couric and CBS edit John McCain''s interview to erase his big mess-up?

CBS is not a paid Public Relations firm. Why are you protecting him at the expense of the American people? We need an explanation for this media bias.

[smarterthan]

Hey Right2laugh: Read the transcript on this page & watch the video of McCain''s ''We will come home in victory.'' CBS has to EDIT OUT McCain answers for him because he got it SOOOOO wrong on the correct surge, Anbar awakening,facts and dates. Remember McCain is just learning how to e-mail, it''s a shame because if he knew how to use the internet he could just google the RIGHT answers, look at current maps so he knows what borders a country has(Pakistan/Iraq?)Findout that Czechoslovakia is no longer a country, & hasn''t been for 15 years (signs of DEMENTIA: loss of short term memory). Maybe he could lookup Sunni muslim, Shia muslim & learn the difference & how important those differences are in Iraq. McCain could even go to the carpetbagger report & see all his flip-flops (66 & counting) then maybe he could get back to the STRAIGHT TALK which now is really another way of saying "SENIOR MOMENT!"

[swesler]

And you actully still call yourselves "Journalists"? Your bias is so obvious. No hard questions for Obama. And if he remotely gets a hard question and gives a lie or vague answer, you just let it pass. Couric acts like a love-struck teenager. Your arrogance knows no bounds and you treat the American people as if they are stupid. You no longer have any credibility and I no longer watch ANY of your news stories. Though I do admit that it is extremely funny to watch you defend your actions - best comedy on TV.

[leftyintexas]

Too much coverage? Maybe the 28% bushite followers think so but not the rest of us. Obama needs more coverage so that he can educate those who are not already on our side to come on over. OBAMA IN 08!

[whiskyrocker]

All is fair in love and war.

[kansas1946]

Apparently not, but then, again, he has spent most of his life living in Hawaii (even tho a U.S. state, they live differently there) and in Indonesia, a Muslim country, so you have to excuse his ignorance of American policy.


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Posted by love234ameri at 10:48 PM : Jul 21, 2008

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Yeah, those Hawaiians are real weirdo''s. LOL.

[kansas1946]

JFK did nothing worthwhile in office other than be shot by Oswald (probably a Mafai deal). He is remembered for his good looks, his great speaking voice, his speech writers, his nice looking wife and kids, but he did nothing for his country that is note...Posted by love234ameri at 10:54 PM
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I guess you forgot about the Cuban missle crisis.