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Brock & Waldman: McCain's free ride with the national media

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McCain and the Media

New Chapter - How the media has covered McCain since Free Ride went to press

John McCain is now the presumptive presidential nominee of his party, a position that is accompanied by increased scrutiny and skepticism from the nation's political press. Or at least that's what ordinarily happens. But as we know by now, the rules are different for John McCain. Just a few months ago, McCain had cratered in the polls, and few thought he could bounce back. Yet there was one group of people who had not only the desire but the ability to give McCain the boost he needed, just when he needed it....

About the Authors:

David Brock is the author of four political books, including The Republican Noise Machine: Right-Wing Media and How It Corrupts Democracy. In his preceding book, Blinded by the Right: The Conscience of an Ex-Conservative, a 2002 New York Times bestselling political memoir, he chronicled his years as a conservative media insider. Brock currently lives in Washington, D.C.

Paul Waldman is the author or coauthor of three books on politics and media, including The Press Effect: Politicians, Journalists, and the Stories That Shape the Political World. His last book was Being Right Is Not Enough: What Progressives Must Learn From Conservative Success. Waldman is also a columnist for The American Prospect and lives in Washington, D.C.

By admin at 05/08/2008 - 10:31 | Books | Media | login or register to post comments

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When you consider---

that the press has gotten used to being fed, then it's not surprising that they distribute what they get. And Democrats aren't in the habit of distributing "information" about the other party. Though the Clinton's did a fairly good job spreading disinformation about Obama. In that, they employed a Republican tactic.

Republicans don't expect their candidates to be vetted by the voters. That's what they rely on party leaders to do--party leaders whom they trust.

So, yes, the rules are different. The assertion that there's no difference between the parties is false--not just as to policies, but as to tactics. Republican politicians render service to their constituents by warning them about the dangerous policies of the other side and promising to "protect" them--in exchange for which they expect their electoral support.

In a sense, the promise to "protect" represents a focus on the well-being of the voters, rather than their own aggrandisement. That this "protection" is not very different from the "concern" of an abusive parent who keeps children locked up for their own good. It's a pattern that's familiar to a large segment of the population that's comfortable with the routine.
By monica smith at Sun, 05/11/2008 - 7:42am | login or register to post comments