Think Progress

McCain Attacks The Press, Who Then Offer Him His ‘Favorite Treats’ Of Coffee And Donuts»

Today, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) spoke to the annual meeting of the Associated Press. During his opening remarks, McCain repeatedly criticized the press, going so far as to say he sympathized with the White House’s swift-boating of The New York Times for publishing a 2006 story about the Bush administration’s spying program. Some highlights from McCain:

On reporters’ questions: “I confess also that on occasion, perhaps many occasions, I have felt reporters’ questions, their redundancy and sometimes adversarial quality, were intended more at producing candidate fatigue and, consequently, mistakes than the enlightenment of your readers.”

On overzealous scoops: “To be very candid, but with no wish to offend you, I must confess there have been times when I worry that the press’ interest in getting a scoop occasionally conflicts with other important priorities, even the first concern of every American — the security of our nation.”

On The New York Times: “I think the New York Times’ decision to disclose surveillance programs to monitor the conversations of people who wish to do us harm came too close to crossing that line. And I understand completely why the government charged with defending our security would want to discourage that from happening and hold the people who disclosed that damaging information accountable for their action.”

Even these criticisms couldn’t dampen the media’s enthusiasm for McCain. Immediately after his speech, the moderator brought out McCain’s “favorite treat” — Dunkin Donuts with sprinkles and “a little coffee with a little cream and a little sugar.” The moderator then laughingly added, “I think we’re set for the hard questions.” Watch highlights from McCain’s speech, followed by the presentation of donuts:

Screenshot

Even though McCain continues to bash the press, he recognizes that he needs to make goodwill gestures to stay on their good side. In May, he hosted a “thank you” cookout for them at his vacation home in Arizona.

In September, MSNBC’s Chris Matthews fittingly observed, “The press loves McCain. We’re his base.”




Sort Comments By: Top Rated | Date

37 Responses to “McCain Attacks The Press, Who Then Offer Him His ‘Favorite Treats’ Of Coffee And Donuts”

  1. raynman Says:

    Our National Media:

    Always looking out for the truth… oops, I mean Always looking out for themselves


  2. RUCerious Says:

    Based on the complete and total lack of vetting by the press, one must conclude that McCain’s wiener(s) taste pretty good.


  3. Zimzone Says:

    Convenient Conservatism means the only grilling you’ll get from the Press is hot dogs & hamburgers…

    How Convenient!


  4. Exit Stage Left Says:

    “To be very candid, but with no wish to offend you, I must confess there have been times when I worry that the press’ interest in getting a scoop occasionally conflicts with other important priorities, even the first concern of every American — the security of our nation.”

    The first concern of THIS American is a return to rule of law and full implementation under the Constitution.


  5. galmud Says:

    “I think we’re set for the hard questions.”

    Well he didnt get any. McCain finished his speech with swipe at Obamas “elitism” and then in the QA immediately got a question and two follow ups on whether Obama is elitist or not.


  6. vinylspear Says:

    The Mcmanchurian candiate sure does confess a whole lot.
    Hmmmm methinks he’s had prior training.


  7. judyinnm Says:

    Esti Stage Left - That makes two of us!!


  8. judyinnm Says:

    I meant Exit Stage Left.


  9. Bobwurst Says:

    for the love of God, the press is supposed to be adversarial johnny! It’s their job to poke and prod and people like you uncomfortable.


  10. Bobwurst Says:

    for the love of God, the press is supposed to be adversarial johnny! It’s their job to poke and prod and people like you uncomfortable.


  11. TheToonGuy Says:

    Can Helen Thomas expect to be ignored in the back row during a McCain administration? Of course! Only softballs allowed in McCain’s pressers.


  12. Evil Spaniard Says:

    Oh, but The Press (tm )isn’t supposed to be free PR ADs?

    /Sarcasm (?) off


  13. barfly Says:

    Is it really any wonder why Gore won’t run again? He knows first-hand how he’d be treated by the press. Just like Obama is being treated now.


  14. watchout5 Says:

    I forgot where I put that first amendment, it was right here.


  15. robertoroberto Says:

    Well, it’s a welcome break from all the “inside the polygamist compound” crap that we’ve seen constantly in the last week on the mainstream media. Freedom of who’s religion with that what now?


  16. YouCantHandleDaTruth Says:

    WOW!! How in the world is McSame going to run as a change candidate on his record, support of Bush etc!?!?

    He’s toast and he knows it.


  17. Fritz Says:

    “watchout5 Says:

    I forgot where I put that first amendment, it was right here.”

    Didn’t Bush and his Criminal Cronies repeal the First Amendment?


  18. RUCerious Says:

    Could candidate McCain tell us where he got his ‘get out of answering questions’ monopoly card?


  19. katy Says:

    y’know what i hate? the latest fashion crime of decolletage on tv “news”…
    especially in the daytime… aack!
    i don’t care how great your figger is - keep in in the bars or on your dates.
    please.

    call me a prude, i care not… it is just wrong.


  20. MCMetal Says:

    On The New York Times: “I think the New York Times’ decision to disclose surveillance programs to monitor the conversations of people who wish to do us harm came too close to crossing that line. And I understand completely why the government charged with defending our security would want to discourage that from happening and hold the people who disclosed that damaging information accountable for their action.”

    But of course , you simply have no problem with those that are part of the White House who engage in criminal behavior , like illegally spying on fellow Americans , right McSkidMark ?


  21. AlphaLiberal Says:

    News stories like this make me miss Media Whores Online.


  22. Winski Says:

    It’s real obvious that the MSM media in America exists no more..

    What passes as the media now days is a bunch of local hacks, news readers who sometimes barely get by because their reading skills are that of 5th graders and when they come across something in their scripts which is completely wrong, both in fact-content-and-grammer gloss over it like it’s not there. OR, just look good in front of a camera and have absolutely nothing to add to the subject at hand.

    The higher ups have become nothing more than wine-swilling wanabees that pander to every whim that passes their smellers and have no clue where or what the truth is, or do they care.

    We may as well have a live-fox-feed directly into our brains for all we get from the MSM since no one cares anymore.

    Let me site one example of something that SHOULD have enraged the nation as a whole and the media specifically - the disclosure that the US President APPROVED torture in the name of America and says “So what” as if to brush it off..

    The media has become almost as bad a disgrace as the bush administration and are as complicit as they in continuing to dumb down the public.


  23. johnross85 Says:

    I thought McCain’s “favorite treat” was a can of Ensure.


  24. MCMetal Says:

    johnross85 Says:
    ——————————————————————————–

    I thought McCain’s “favorite treat” was a can of Ensure.

    April 14th, 2008 at 12:44 pm

    And a box of Depends for the long journey home ……….


  25. tokin librul Says:

    Get used-to/over it.
    McStain’s gonna be “our” next preznit.
    Doubt it if you wanna, but that’s how it’s gonna be.


  26. Bobwurst Says:

    mcan’t will never be MY president. And he’ll be yours only in the fanatasy world you live, bottom feeder.


  27. Jackie Says:

    One thing is right the Press is McCain’s base. Dan Abram’s calls him the Teflon John as he can’t be touched. I have noticed some people are off limits to the press for attacks, questions and even their public lies. The Teflon group is John/Cindy/family and Mrs. Obama and family. Now no holes barred for attacking the hold Clinton Family even lying or using bad words to Hillary and Chelsea. I laughed when the press printed Obama saying Bill Clinton had done nothing for Americans in his 8 years in office, and Americans believed the snake oil seller. Bill Clinton balanced a budget that hadn’t been done in 30 years. Obama did very well during those Clinton years too. He married his wife and even got a job and started writing a book for money. Yes those Clinton years the Stock Market was strong and America was growing fast. But of course when your Obama selling snake oil those successes are forgotten and a different history is told. McCain and Obama will sell this country down the river and never look back. McCain wont remember and Obama will just say Americans are bitter. Both will make sure Connie Rice gets in the cabinet to continue the Bush/Cheney policy.


  28. JMOHR Says:

    The current administration has been responsible for a bungled occupation of Afghanistan and the failure to have routed AQ. It embarked upon an unjustified, poorly planned and horrendously executed occupation of Iraq. Federal agencies have been sold to the highest bidder, safety and environmental standards trashed, tax cuts geared to assist the richest, Republican corruption within the administration and on the Hill at record highs, failure to respond to an economic issues and natural disasters, destruction of constitutional rights and commission of war crimes.

    HOW IN GOD’S NAME WOULD ANY PERSON WANT TO CONTINUE WITH A REPUBLICAN AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. EVEN ASSUMING THAT MCCAIN WAS WELL QUALIFIED, WOULD NOT THE PRESS HAVE TO SUGGEST THAT IT IS TIME TO REMOVE THE REPUBLICANS FROM POWER AND THROW THE BUMS OUT? WOULD THEY NOT QUESTION THE WISDOM OF REWARDING ANY POLITICAL PARTY WITH SUCH A POOR RECORD?

    THE PRESS CORPS HAS GIVEN MCCAIN A FREE RIDE DESPITE HIS OBVIOUSLY CONSERVATIVE RECORD. (HE SPEAKS A GOOD GAME ON SOME MINOR SOCIAL ISSUES WHILE VOTING AND ACTING THE OPPOSITE - SHADES OF THE COMPASSIONATE CONSERVATIVE KING GEORGE.) MCCAIN HAS FLIP - FLOPPED ON EVERY SINGLE ISSUE NECESSARY TO GROVEL AND APPEAL TO THE MOST CONSERVATIVE FACTIONS OF HIS PARTY (REMEMBER TWEETY ACCUSING GORE OF BEING SO AMBITIOUS THAT HE WOULD EAT OFF THE FLOOR TO GET ELECTED.) HIS CONFUSION OF IRAN, IRAQ, SUNNI AND SHIITE SHOULD SCARE ANYONE WITH AN OUNCE OF SENSE. HIS ADMITTED LACK OF ECONOMIC KNOWLEDGE AND HIS TIES TO (EX) LOBBYISTS SHOW HIS TRUE COLORS.

    WHY THE FREE PASS? WHERE IS THE INDEPENDENT PRESS? WHERE IS THE HONESTY AND NEUTRALITY? WE HAVE SEEN THIS TACTIC USED FOR YEARS. I AM SICK AND TIRED OF A PRESS THAT HAS BENT ITSELF ENTIRELY IN FAVOR OF THE CORPORATIST, REPUBLICAN RIGHT WING. WE NEED TO TAKE THESE PEOPLE DOWN FOR THEIR CONSISTENT AND OBVIOUS BIAS..


  29. Max-1 Says:

    .

    McDoh-Nut

    .


  30. pete Says:

    Slightly off topic, but, where is the abuse “flag” when you need it?


  31. Castelcomerkid Says:

    How do you spell ‘hypocrisy’ in 2008? ‘JOHN MCSAME’ who wouldn’t know ’shame’ if he fell over it.


  32. cazzie russell Says:

    Mr. Magoo should’ve also mentioned how the rogue media don’t always wear flag pins on their lapels. And that when they lob him questions they sometimes use 12-inch softballs instead of 16. This guy shouldn’t get within a sniff of winning, but if he somehow does, we’re cooked worse than the ribs and chicken that he fed to these mewling, six-figure drones.


  33. katy Says:

    whew! even the PRETEND clintonistas are off the deep end…
    that’s some crazy spin up there…


  34. Freedom Rebel Says:

    CNN’s Candy Crowley adopts McCain’s position on Public Financing: Omits McCain’s FEC violations

    McCain’s Media back in action. Did Crowley take a John McCain press release and develop this segment based on their talking points? John McCain is in violation of the FEC’s public financing laws because he has signed up for it, has received money from it, procured a loan to help his primary and then went over the limit. Crowley could have told you that McCain wouldn’t have had the money to produce ads in New Hampshire to win that primary without the loan. We might be talking about the Mitt Romney nomination right now. And we need to look at the bank loan more closely.

    McCain has nothing to complain about at all. If the democrats received half the consideration he does by the media; what a whole different reality the news would look like. We would have never heard anything about Obama past minister or Clinton running out of money. And if I hear one more time how bad Obama bowled, who cares. His bowling score is not going to determine if he will be a great leader.

    The news coverage is almost like watching Entertainment Tonight, the only difference is they aren’t putting Hillary on the “2008 Worst Dressed Politician List” and saying Obama should rethink his tie collection.


  35. stormy Says:

    Coffee with cream and sugar??? A REAL GI drinks coffee! As a retired Senior NCO, if one of my folks added ANYTHING to the coffee they would be hounded no end. I was stationed with the Marines and also the Navy. They know HOW to make coffee. We AF types called it lazy coffee. It was so strong it got up out of the cup and jumped in your mouth. A Marine with Cream and Sugar? How could the be considered a maverick “he-man”?


  36. marko65 Says:

    As a Canadian I think even liberal Americans are just fuzzy fascists. That said I would hardly call McCain’s speech press bashing.


  37. batteries Says:

    The current administration has been responsible for a bungled occupation of Afghanistan and the failure to have routed AQ. It embarked upon an unjustified, poorly planned and horrendously executed occupation of Iraq. Federal agencies have been sold to the highest bidder, safety and environmental standards trashed, tax cuts geared to assist the richest, Republican corruption within the administration and on the Hill at record highs, failure to respond to an economic issues and natural disasters, destruction of constitutional rights and commission of war crimes.

    HOW IN GOD’S NAME WOULD ANY PERSON WANT TO CONTINUE WITH A REPUBLICAN AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. EVEN ASSUMING THAT MCCAIN WAS WELL QUALIFIED, WOULD NOT THE PRESS HAVE TO SUGGEST THAT IT IS TIME TO REMOVE THE REPUBLICANS FROM POWER AND THROW THE BUMS OUT? WOULD THEY NOT QUESTION THE WISDOM OF REWARDING ANY POLITICAL PARTY WITH SUCH A POOR RECORD?

    THE PRESS CORPS HAS GIVEN MCCAIN A FREE RIDE DESPITE HIS OBVIOUSLY CONSERVATIVE RECORD. (HE SPEAKS A GOOD GAME ON SOME MINOR SOCIAL ISSUES WHILE VOTING AND ACTING THE OPPOSITE - SHADES OF THE COMPASSIONATE CONSERVATIVE KING GEORGE.) MCCAIN HAS FLIP - FLOPPED ON EVERY SINGLE ISSUE NECESSARY TO GROVEL AND APPEAL TO THE MOST CONSERVATIVE FACTIONS OF HIS PARTY (REMEMBER TWEETY ACCUSING GORE OF BEING SO AMBITIOUS THAT HE WOULD EAT OFF THE FLOOR TO GET ELECTED.) HIS CONFUSION OF IRAN, IRAQ, SUNNI AND SHIITE SHOULD SCARE ANYONE toshiba 3000ct battery,toshiba b404 battery WITH AN OUNCE OF SENSE. HIS ADMITTED LACK OF ECONOMIC KNOWLEDGE AND HIS TIES TO (EX) LOBBYISTS SHOW HIS TRUE COLORS.


Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.


Jump to Top

About Think Progress | Contact Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy (off-site) | RSS | Donate
© 2005-2008 Center for American Progress Action Fund
View Most Popular

Advertisement


Visit Our Affiliated Sites

image image
What We're About

Featured

image
Subscribe to the Progress Report




Got a hot tip?
Have a hot news tip? We'd love to hear from you. Use the form below to send us the latest.

Name:
Email:
Tip:
(required)



Reports

imageTopic Cloud


imageArchives


imageBlog Roll