East Coast media expresses disdain
On Wednesday, the Republicans turned it on with a vengeance, painting the media -- every single member of it as if our hearts all beat as one -- as the enemy, along with the elite and the East Coast establishment.
"And I've learned quickly, these past few days, that if you're not a member in good standing of the Washington elite, then some in the media consider a candidate unqualified for that reason alone," Alaska Gov. and presumptive Republican vice president nominee Sarah Palin said last night at the Xcel Energy Center.
"But here's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion. I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country. Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people."
Well thanks, at least, for labeling us "the right people."
This is the same Sarah Palin who, since last Friday, has been treated to unprecedented media coverage, and much of it more positive than the Republicans claim. Check out the glowing headlines today in both New York tabloids. Palin might want to think twice about bashing Washington insiders. If running mate Sen. John McCain is elected, she's going to have to work with members of the United States Senate, not against them.
The ultimate irony of the Republicans' bashing the media is that no politician -- not one -- has benefitted more from the gaze then John McCain. By allowing unfettered access in past campaigns, by playing nice, by offering free rides on the Straight Talk Express and constant on-the-record remarks, McCain enjoyed true love from the press.
When Al Gore and John Kerry proved aloof, or George Bush and Bill Clinton limited access -- his wife, too -- McCain enjoyed a serious Big Bad Love between himself and the media.
In addition to the press, McCain is the darling of the late-night talk shows because of his candor and constant availability. Consequently, he's rarely mocked, except on the subject of his age and then too much so. Something he makes light of, too, and also too often. Comedian Jon Stewart, who has sliced and diced most politicians, has been positively dainty in his treatment of his No. 1 political friend who has appeared so regularly on The Daily Show he might be considered a cast member.
The late, great Washington Post political columnist Mary McGrory, a liberal with a huge bleeding heart, had unabashed love for the Arizona senator. I remember riding on the Straight Talk Express with McGrory and watching her give him the type of gaze rarely offered by the a reporter to a politician, the sort of gaze Nancy Reagan reserved solely for her Ronny.
If McCain continues this theme tonight and onto the truncated two-month general campaign, biting the ink-stained hands that have so generously stroked him during the past dozen years, he may find that the wolf pack is quite capable of biting back.
alicia layne bikini pics???? anyone???? anyone???— Johnny Lawrence- The media totally deserves the reputation it has. The Swift Boating Palin got makes anything that Kerry got look trivial. Reat the comments by NYT's Maureen Dowd, Gail Collins or Fox, Susan Estrich. Within 12 hours of Palin's name being raised as VP they put out a vitrolic of Hate for her. It was horrid. Givne the beating Palin and her family have gotten the door is open for Swift Boating of Obama and Biden. The left needs to remember that the job of a journalist is preseting facts in "the public trust". New lows for the eastern elite and the dynamic will impact the election. Damage done.— vc bear
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- Philly.com this week speaks for itself about the media bias against repubs and for democrats. Part of the reason why print newspaper is almost obsolete and why FoxNews and talk radio are so popular. Most Americans are smart enough to see it.— krazylegs
- I think it's hilarious that the Republicans are so quick to caste their "pitbull in lipstick" as a victim. One big difference between the treatment she has gotten and the swift boating of John Kerry is that the criticisms of Palin are based on fact. I also think it's hilarious that she keeps talking about how she put a stop to the bridge to nowhere, but she kept the money!— Jon McGoran
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- Sarah Palin: Setting women's rights back 55 years.— wmn1dfl
- Karen, Go through the last 52 Sundays of Tony Auth cartoons and count how many are anti-Bush or Anti-GOP. I only get the Sunday Inq, and I am THIS close to cancelling because of the bias. I can get the same coupons and ads in the Pottstown Mercury.— Col. Nathan R. Jessep
- Karen, if philly.com is a legitimate news organization, then why did you post a PHOTOSHOPPED picture of Sarah Palin on your blog two days ago!— jeffreyg61
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