Why is the burden of infallibility always on US?

The good news is that most Americans, even the ones in the media, automatically assume the Republican candidate is more corrupt than the Democrat--because, let's face it, they usually are.

But the bad news is that there's an unfair double standard going on--if it comes out that the Democrat slips up in a minor way, he automatically receives more scrutiny than the Republican, even when the skeletons in the Republican's closet are far more numerous.

Let's go over some of John McCain's personal, moral, and political failings right now: he dumped his first wife for a younger, richer, better looking woman. He was one of the Keating Five, and the only one not to leave the Senate after the scandal hit. He's known as a hothead, a pottymouth, a man who's all attitude but little convictions or brains. As recently as 2000, he received favors (some possibly sexual) from a lobbyist. And he has very publicly flip-flopped on just about every issue relating to the President, the economy, the environment, and the International scene.

Now notice that these aren't faults by association--McCain HIMSELF did all of these things. And freely admits to most of them. So why is Obama getting the lion's share of attention from the media? Tenuous connections to William Ayres, a respected Chicago citizen he barely even knows? Give me a break! The flag pin malarky? Who cares?! Michelle Obama scrutinized for something no one can prove she even said? WTF?!!

Perhaps it's because McCain, like many Republicans, freely flaunts his corruptibility; Obama, while not perfect, seems infinitely more trust-worthy even on his worst days. But for that reason, when people find a speck of dirt on Obama's shoes, they're quite willing to equate it to the cesspool McCain has been wading in for the last 20 years.

Hence, Nixon, Reagan, and Bush won two terms, while the Democrats took the high road and usually lost. Some, it seems, would rather side with Republicans they know to be 95% crooked than with Democrats they feel are only 95% honest. With the GOP, at least, you always know what you're getting....

A number of credible people have testified that they witnessed Obama standing in the same room as McCain. Once Obama crossed that line and associated with a disreputable character like McCain, the media had no choice but to get tough with Obama.

That's how it happened.

the media loves. He has courted the media for years, and it's paid off.

Obama is that scary black guy. Funny thing there is, there's no dirt. So now the 'black' will come out. Hopefully so will the intelligence and common sense, and all the other traits that I revere over the 'war hero' who's a zero.

That's why he gets such good press coverage.

and that's what this country gets ... little, if anything at all. So much more is expected and hoped for from our side and if 95% is delivered it's not enough. I think it's all in the "EXPECTATIONS". An interesting question that I have thought and thought about myself.

Edited: typo

You see it with Dumbya and McSame. Both are given the benefit of the doubt. They both are elitists though the media and many Americans view them as "regular folk." Dems make the fatal mistake of expecting their candidates to be all things to all people. It's the very reason why we continue to lose elections. I hope that we will change out attitude this time around.

And nothing easy won is highly valued.

(How's that?)