There's Something Rotten In Newark

From the 3/14/04 Star-Ledger (Newark, New Jersey):

Kerry's long list of flip-flops
Now that John Kerry is the presumptive Democratic nominee, Republicans are focusing hard on his history of flip-flops...Kerry's supporters cite his reversals as evidence of the senator's capacity for nuance and complexity, growth and change. His critics say they represent a fundamental lack of principles...

Bush's morality play
Bush, by contrast, wants to be seen as a president with the moral fiber and strength of conviction that today's world demands...But when Bush talks about right and wrong, how consistent is he? Not at all, argues (Princeton University philosopher) Peter Singer...who tackles this question in a new book, titled "The President of Good and Evil: The Ethics of George W. Bush"...

I wouldn't describe either of these articles as flattering, but even in the opening paragraphs, the deference shown Bush is glaring. Kerry is an incurably unprincipled liar, but there's nothing wrong with Bush that a spoonful of moral fiber can't fix!

Equally disturbing is that both articles overlook the embarassingly obvious: Bush's campaign strategy is totally invalid. Not only can Bush best Kerry in the flip-flopping department, he has no grounds on which to call Kerry a filthy rich New England-born Ivy League-educated elitist quasi-everyman--Bush can best Kerry in THAT department as well. It's like Hugh Hefner calling someone a pimp!

:headbang:
rocknation

Was that the one critical of Bush, was an interview with an author, who they preface it by saying that he believes that mercy killings of the elderly and disabled infants can be done humanly.

So the only person they could get to interview about bush's negatives was a guy whose claim to fame is a ridiculously controversial ethical position.

I couldn't get over that. Especially from the Ledger which is by and large pretty fair in my opinion. They have their lapses and their crackpots, but overall I would hardly call it a right wing rag.

of the paper. The piece is on the front page of the Editorial section. It is a little odd as the Star Ledger will certainly endorse Kerry over Bush.

I've never read the Ledger and been dissapointed. Even some of their conservative columnists, like Paul Mulshine, are hardly the rabid, neo-con fundie variety.