Evolution and Flip Flopping: The Media's Double Standard in Covering McCain and Obama

Evolution and Flip Flopping: The Media's Double Standard in Covering McCain and Obama
Submitted by findingavoice on Mon, 07/21/2008 - 4:56am. Ann Davidow

FINDING A VOICE by Ann Davidow



McCain evolves, Obama flip flops. And so the double standard continues in this most curious of campaign seasons. Senator McCain can change positions and muddle through confusing reconstructions. He can reach out to weird religious figures like the Reverends Parsley and Hagee and employ the services of "economic guru" Phil Gramm. Or he can disavow the zany prelates and Gramm when they become too cumbersome. Whatever or whomever he chooses to embrace, or not, is all just part of an ever-evolving McCain campaign. But if Obama re-evaluates a position or reconsiders previous attachments he is attacked for being disloyal, weak and lacking judgment.

McCain amuses audiences by telling them that, as a POW, he used either the Green Bay Packer or the Pittsburgh Steeler defensive lines to fool his captors into believing they were his Air Force crew - - that habit he has of saying whatever seems to suit a particular group at a particular location. His recent claim that he "knows how to win wars" slips into the public information mill with hardly a murmur or proof of any kind, although campaign surrogates are working to re-define ‘what he actually meant.'

He has backtracked on opinions regarding immigration and the president's tax cuts and dissembled about his lack of support for the recent bill to provide educational benefits for veterans who opted out of the service after completing their tours instead of resigning. When congressional support proved too great and the president signed the legislation, he praised McCain for his support of the bill. As has become painfully obvious, truth isn't all that important to the president and his party. Anything that sounds good will do.

McCain stands firm, however, against abortion, and for the appointment of "strict-constructionist" judges, believes competition is the cornerstone of a strong economy, and that "market forces" will carry the day. He tends to repeat things that, however insubstantial, strike a responsive chord among attendees at those embarrassing town hall meetings of which he is so fond. He says he'd like to engage Obama at a series of such events, but he should be grateful that his opponent has been largely unavailable since the contrast between the two men on such occasions would not favor McCain.

Yet he exudes for many the persona of an honorable man who is strong on national security and knows stuff. Why this is true, given his repeated gaffes regarding foreign entities and peoples, is a mystery. Still, Republicans get away with accusing Obama of being naïve, indecisive and weak on defense. Having offered to accompany him to Iraq and take him around, McCain now criticizes Obama for going on such a trip, and his campaign is furious that network anchors will accompany him on his travels. Deprived of the opportunity to play older, experienced mentor to the young naïf, McCain is all huffy about the media blitz that seems likely to engulf Obama, and some of his supporters have begun ranting about how the media better give McCain adequate attention. Harrumph!

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http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/davidow/18

Oh wait, he claimed not to have made that joke. So he's flipping out on that too.

So, so true.
Funny or sad how changing a definition here and there can so effect the persona of the story. This is what turns M$M into propaganda

It's one thing to mislead and insinuate, but the MSM is already on shaky ground. Outright, lying to benefit the (R) candy-date would destroy what little credibility the have among the blissfully ignorant.

"Be careful what you wish for" has never rung truer.

Let them start paying attention in September - if the McCain campaign hasn't already imploded/exploded.

Personally, I believe he's just a placeholder and would be highly unsuprised if they nominated someone - anyone - else at the convention. The benefit of keeping their chosen candidate free of scrutiny until three months before an election is the only trick they haven't (yet) pulled out of their asses.

used the names of "Houston Texans" to fool his captors?