aquapub

A while back, I pointed out that my prediction had come true about the ferocity with which the media would throw even the kitchen sink at McCain the moment they got him nominated as the left's Republican candidate, and a number of liberals indignantly snapped back that all presidential candidates get more scrutiny once they become the nominee.

This I conceded, but the difference is, the flimsy partisan crap invented by the newsmedia against McCain (about affairs and corruption) was laughed out of town and had zero validity. The only tough criticism Obama got from the newsmedia came from former Clinton operatives, and was completely valid (most extreme partisan voting record in all the Senate, Wright, associations with a terrorist, etc.).

It's become liberal orthodoxy for the media to act like it's a dirty trick to point out what an extreme fanatic Obama is, and most the coverage of Obama is more like that of "Brian Williams, [who] handed Obama a Newsweek with 'Inside Obama's Dream Machine' as the cover story and wondered: 'How does this feel, of all the honors that have come your way, all the publicity? Who does it make you think of? Is there, is there a loved one?'

On Thursday, Williams didn't pose a single challenging question nor mention Jeremiah Wright in any of the ten questions aired, but pulled the same magazine stunt, this time holding up the new Time with a smiling Obama on the cover by the words, 'And the Winner Is...' Williams fondly recalled: 'Last time we were together, I handed you a copy of Newsweek, it was the first time you'd held it in your hands with you on the cover. Have you yet held this in your hands?'

Obama said he had not, prompting Williams to remind him: 'Last time you looked at it and you thought instantly of your mom.' Obama effused: 'She'd like that picture. She always encouraged me to smile more.' Proceeding to cue up Obama for a long recitation on how he's not an elitist, Williams empathized: 'You end up with people talking about your bowling score, gutter balls, wearing a tie, wearing a tie with farmers. And how have you dealt with that? Is there an operating theory that guides your life these days?'

...Setting up the segment at the top of his newscast, Williams touted how 'there's been a measurable change around' Obama, gushing about how 'you could see it and feel it in Washington today. The people rushing to him, crowding around him on Capitol Hill' and in 'the crowds that greeted him several stories high in the Newseum.'"

Williams Tosses Softballs to Obama, Empathizes Over Elitist Image --5/9/2008-- Media Research Center

Things get even more flagrant, comical even, when you click over to CNN...

"CNN's Wolf Blitzer, during a much hyped interview of Barack Obama on Thursday's The Situation Room, tried to dismiss facts about the Illinois Senator as mere opinions. [He] also made a prediction about the upcoming general election campaign: 'You know they're going to paint you -- the McCain camp, Republicans -- as a classic tax and spend liberal Democrat, that you are going to raise the taxes for the American people, and to spend money like there's no tomorrow when it comes to federal government programs. You ready to handle that kind of assault?'

In fact, the National Journal -- not a conservative magazine -- had identified Obama as the most liberal Senator during 2007, so if the Republicans do launch 'that kind of assault,' it has a basis in Obama's own record in the Senate.

Twelve minutes later, or about 26 minutes into the 4pm Eastern hour of the playback of the taped interview, after discussing the Iraq war with the Democrat, Blitzer brought up the issue of Israel and its battle with Hamas: 'This is going to be a huge difference -- the war in Iraq, the fallout between you and McCain. He also is going after you now today, the 60th anniversary of Israel's independence. He says you're not necessarily endorsing policies that would be good for Israel. He says this, for example. 'I think it's very clear who Hamas wants to be the next President of the United States. I think that people should understand that I will be Hamas's worst nightmare. If Senator Obama is favored by Hamas, I think people can make judgments accordingly.'

During the Israel portion of the interview, Blitzer failed to mention the fact that Ahmed Yousef, the chief political adviser to Ismail Haniyah, the senior political leader of Hamas, had communicated the terror group's endorsement of Obama during an interview on WABC radio on April 13: 'We like Mr. Obama and we hope he will win the election.'"

Williams Tosses Softballs to Obama, Empathizes Over Elitist Image --5/9/2008-- Media Research Center

Nothing like watching our persistent newsmedia "scrutinize" their fellow Democrats.

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They tell you they are not going to tax your family. No, they're just going to tax ‘businesses!’ So unless you buy something from a ‘business,’ like groceries or clothes or gasoline ... or unless you get a paycheck from a big or a small ‘business,’ don't worry ... it's not going to affect you. -Fred Thompson

independent_thinker2002

I haven't seen the media give McCain anything but softballs either.

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==]:{o

aquapub

Then you haven't been paying attention to the media. They've already tried to invent two different partisan scandals against him, one about an affair that never took place and another about ethics that was completely baseless...all while acting like it's a dirty trick to point out that Obama is demonstrably, provably, a fanatic.

the makeout hobo

Define Fanatic.

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The Makeout Hobo is real, and does indeed travel around the country in his van and make out with ladies... If you meet the Makeout Hobo, it is customary to greet him with a shot of whiskey and a high five (if you are a dude) or passionate makeouts (if you are a lady).Vague is a man of honor

aquapub

Someone on the fringe, like having the most extreme partisan voting record in all the Senate.

the makeout hobo

I really do take that "statistic" with a grain of salt... who really defines that? And Obama is certainly less "fanatic" than Kucinich or Edwards. Hell, his policies are more moderate than Clinton in some areas.

aquapub

Just because you can't tell the difference between what's more liberal and what's more conservative doesn't mean the rest of us can't acknowledge Obama's extremely partisan liberal voting record.

the makeout hobo

What positions does Obama have that are extremist? You talk a lot, but I never see much in the way of facts.

aquapub

"According to the non-partisan publication National Journal, Obama was the 'most liberal' senator last year." As a U.S. Senator, Obama "has consistently voted for higher taxes, bigger government and troop funding cuts." Prior to "that, he was in the Illinois state legislature, supporting extreme gun control measures and opposing common-sense abortion restrictions that the vast majority of Republicans and Democrats alike would agree with. ... Recent public opinion polls show barely 11% of Republicans supporting Obama against John McCain," while "nearly one in five Democrats...support McCain over Obama."

USA Today. 3/25. Obama Pledge To Unify Seen As Questionable In Light Of Voting Record.

the makeout hobo

Any specific policies that he has on his presidential platform you'd like to mention. I'm looking for specifics here, man. Not editorials.