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7-10-08
Double Standards
Jon London
Perhaps it is because of his smile, or his age, or the free food and booze, or perhaps because of his past as a prisoner; but is seems to me that the press really likes this guy and are playing favors. If you have not guessed, I am speaking of John McCain.
I could not help but notice that John McCain has been on television almost as much as Mickey Mouse. For the past few years Senator McCain has appeared on Sunday Morning television shows over a hundred times. Most of these appearances have been solo interviews. He has received far better treatment than any elected official. Why is that? He is not the head of the Republicans in the Senate. He chairs a committee, but no more important than any other chairman. The only thing I can come up with is the press likes him.
The press likes him because of a number of reasons. For one thing he is smart and treats the press like they want to be treated. Free food and booze goes a long way as does total access and plenty of news releases. His associates dine with the reporters and, of course, they become friends. It's hard to be objective when you are dining with the candidate or his staff.
The press likes headlines and "Maverick" is a great one. Almost anytime you hear McCain you also hear the word Maverick. In publication after publication McCain and Maverick go hand in hand.
When you think of McCain, what words do you think about? More than likely one of the words is Maverick and another would be Prisoner. McCain has spent millions of dollars promoting the fact that he has been a prisoner of war. Of course everyone respects his service in the military, just as we respect all our men and women in uniform and our veterans. It does seem strange that ad after ad shows McCain as a prisoner of war. Perhaps this is done to make one feel sorry for him. I guess we should feel sorry for him and all prisoners but that is hardly a reason for the press to treat him better than any other candidate. And being a prisoner of war is not necessarily a qualification for being President of the United States.
McCain, the maverick, has voted with the President 95 percent of the time. So much for being the maverick.
It will be interesting as to what the press does in this election. So far they have gone easy on McCain. There has been a lot said about Senator Obama and his family and his education, and religion, etc. Very little said about McCain and his wealth and his private schooling, etc. It would seem the press would and should know all of this. But for some reason a pass is issued.
Let us hope that a free and independent press steps up to the plate and treats all candidates, regardless of the office they are running for, in a fair and balanced manner. Many states have important Governor races, Senate and House races. The public should be told the truth and favors should not be played even if the Bar-B-Q is good and the liquor is free.
Time to think. What do you think?
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