Both conservative and liberal bloggers are espousing theories today as to whether the traditional media have been biased against Sarah Palin. Howard Kurtz's column today on being grilled by an "absolutely furious" Steve Schmidt is the most discussed in the blogosphere. On the left side of the argument, Josh Marshall says reporters and readers are "getting played" by Schmidt, whom he says is confusing personal rumors in the blogosphere with legitimate inquiries into her political associations and experience:
Schmidt, by the way, is one of the most hard-boiled GOP operatives and Rove proteges around. I guess he and his McCain colleagues missed the whole Rev. Wright episode, Clinton impeachment episode and, what, maybe twenty other episodes over recent years.
Joe Klein thinks John McCain is sincerely agitated at the press, but says Schmidt is provoking a media war for "tactical reasons." I think both of Klein's points are probably right. But I disagree with what appears to be Klein's conclusion that a tactical decision disqualifies the merits of the complaint.
On the right, Jennifer Rubin predicts the attacks on Palin will backfire against both the media and Democrats. I think there's a good chance she's right about that, especially with Republicans and some independent voters.
National Review's excellent reporter Jim Geraghty makes a point being argued by several Republican lawmakers today:
In 72 hours, the media has subjected Bristol Palin to more scrutiny than they've given to Barack Obama in two years. Perhaps that's a mild exaggeration. But pretty darn mild.
And the often sound Stephen Bainbridge concludes:
I think this ends up helping McCain. In particular, it may redress some of the enthusiasm deficit. Lots of Republicans who had no fire in their belly for McCain are now seriously pissed off at the media. If McCain sticks by Palin, I may even open my wallet.
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Comments
What is everything going to cost Obama has promised us? America is BROKE! We are over $56 trillion, 752 billion, 300 million dollars in debt (August 30, 2009, 1200 hrs). Our useless politicians, like this one, want to buy our votes with out money. They have been doing this for years now and all of our credit cards are now maxed out. Our lenders like Communist Red China will be calling in our IOUs; we owe them over $450 billion dollars and they have $1.5 trillion of our cash in U.S. dollars in the bank. Go to the following websites to see more on our debt. Ross Perot Charts, Pete G. Peterson Foundation, I.O.U.S.A. and Truth in 2008. Why are there no discussion our debt, just more talk about what we are going to buy with money.
Posted by: TopAssistant
| September 3, 2008 7:00 PM
McCain's camp is playing their hand well. If McCain wins, he and Palin should send thank-yous to Hillary Clinton. They're both working from the script the Clinton camp devised. What a fascinating election cycle this has been already, and the home stretch is only just now getting underway. Tons of mud and mock outrage yet to come...
Posted by: billp
| September 3, 2008 10:56 PM
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