McCain vs. the press

I have to agree with Bob "the Daily Howler" Somerby's recent criticism of Josh Marshall's superficial approach to some of the election reporting. In this video on McCain's testy performance before the Des Moines Register editorial board, Josh makes commentary about how obviously nasty McCain is.



My take on it is different. Yes, McCain's a mean old man and that comes through here.

But he's posturing as the offended, vicitimized war hero facing down the hated "liberal press". Not only for Republicans but for some independents, this comes off as showing toughness.

Listen to the first question, where the questioner jams him a bit on his false claim that Obama supported comprehensive sex education for Obama. If the questioner had been prepared, she could have cited the bill which McCain's campaign claims supports his claim and explained that the claim is plainly false. True to the increasingly standard press dysfuntion, she didn't. McCain essentially rolled the questioner in that exchange, simply reporting over and over that the ad was true.

Tags: establishment press, josh marshall, mainstream media, mainstream press, mccain

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