The Media’s Effusive Praise Of Honest Straight-Talker McCain
The Media’s Effusive Praise Of Honest Straight-Talker McCain
According to the national media, no matter what Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) says, he’s always going to be a fun, straight-talking, regular guy. In fact, every little thing he does — whether it’s joking about killing civilians or simply grilling meat — is magic to reporters. Just today, when McCain joked about shipping adviser Phil Gramm to Belarus — a place still covered in radiation from Chernobyl — reporters gushed over the “trademark John McCain wit.”
As another example, in today’s LA Times, contributing editor Rob Long effusively praises McCain’s honesty in insulting college students:
A few weeks ago, John McCain made a little joke at his wife’s expense. Referring to her alma mater — Cindy McCain is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where she was a cheerleader and sorority sister — he called it “USC, the University of Spoiled Children.”
It’s not an original joke, of course — it’s been around for ages, possibly even as long as John McCain himself — but it said a lot about the man who wants to be president.
It says he’s honest. He’s a straight-talker. And he’s willing to speak truth to … well, not to power, exactly, but to healthy, fit young people in shorts and flip-flops. Which is more than his opponent can say.
Long is, most likely, being humorous. But his sarcasm mirrors the actual adoration by the media. A look at some other proof the media have used to demonstrate that McCain is just a regular guy:
McCain barbeques: “He was wearing a sweatshirt with a lithograph photo of his family — like a Christmas card picture. So just another grandpa at the grill.” [Mike Allen, Politico]
McCain rides first-class on Acela trains: “John McCain traveled like a man of the people Friday morning, riding an Amtrak train to Philadelphia after a late night of voting in Washington.” [Libby Quaid, Associated Press]
McCain jokes about killing Iranian civilians: “The guy seems like any guy you’d want to have around the dinner table or the bar stool.” [Chuck Todd, NBC]
McCain jokes about blowing up Jon Stewart with an IED: “Despite the fact he steps over the line sometimes. It makes him seem much more accessible to voter. You know, everybody likes a guy with a good sense of humor.” [Carol Costello, CNN]
McCain backtracks from his statements on Iraq: BLITZER: There was some straight talk, very straight talk, from John McCain today. Then, he seemed to backtrack a little bit. What happened?
BASH: He realized his straight talk was too straight, Wolf. [Wolf Blitzer and Dana Bash, CNN]
Note to potential presidential contenders: Barbeque, make off-color jokes, and ride first-class on trains, and the media will love you.
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McPutz wears flip-flops?
That would explain a lot.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:40 pm“It’s not an original joke, of course — it’s been around for ages.”
July 10th, 2008 at 4:46 pm.
Who says it’s not original? He may have been the one who invented it.
That’s good Art, thanks for the laugh.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:47 pmNow, wait just a minute. As a long suffering Illini fan, I have to say … U.S.C. is the University of Spoiled Children.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:48 pmI thought he would’ve done the classic comedian move of coming back to a previous joke. You know: U of Spoiled C*nts. That would’ve killed ‘em like a carton of smokes.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:49 pmNote to potential presidential contenders: BE A REPUBLICAN WARMONGER, barbeque, make off-color jokes, and ride first class on trains and the press will love you. It also helps your popularity with the press if all they have to do is take dictation from you & your surrogates.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:51 pmThe other night on Road To The White House, David Gregory asked the panelists his 3 questions at the end of the show.
First question: Why is Barak Obama such a big flip-flopper?
Second question: McCain is walking a fine line on immigration. Will it hurt him with conservatives?
Didn’t hear the third question because I threw my beer bottle at Gregory’s head.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:53 pmJebus. McAssh*le is Bush – ON STEROIDS.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:54 pmThe staggering hypocrisy of the MSM, sorry the Liberal MSM, is unbelievable. If Obama came up with half the lame, lamentable lunacy that McInsane came up with they’d be on him like a mountain of misery. I know that the MSM is, almost without exceptin, bought and paid for, but do they have to be such obvious whores? What happened to the concept of the Freedom of the Press being an invaluable safeguard to our Liberty? Sorry, guess that went out of vogue with other dated ideas, like the Constitution being anything other than a damn piece of paper.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:56 pmImpeach Pelosi, Cheney and Bush and Save the Constitution!
So many of the MSM “pundits” have convinced themselves they’re smarter and more insightful then all of us “Joe Sixpack”s. They seem to feel the need to see beyond common sense to proffer their special brand of wisdom, the deluded disconnected schmucks.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:58 pmMcPutz wears flip-flops.
Apparently, you are what you wear.
July 10th, 2008 at 4:59 pmThis MSM love fest of McCain is becoming downright embarrassing. Do they really think that we don’t know what they are doing. They gush about every gaffe and mistake McCain makes, but if Obama makes a mistake, it’s 24/7 fodder. The more the MSM does this the more the people will turn to Obama because they finally know what is going on.
Now, we can forever put to rest the canard that it is the “liberal” press.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:01 pmRob Long… the writer who is dissing college kids went to YALE for crying out loud! What a hypocrite… and he is a VERY RICH TV writer…
July 10th, 2008 at 5:01 pmPutz…
#Abu Ben Hussein Leporello Says:
The staggering hypocrisy of the MSM, sorry the Liberal MSM, is unbelievable. If Obama came up with half the lame, lamentable lunacy that McInsane came up with they’d be on him like a mountain of misery.
It wasn’t too long ago that the press was having a total fit because Obama called a reporter “sweetie”. If McCain were to call a reporter “sweetie” he would be praised as a “good ole grandpa” or something such.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:02 pmHey, Concern-Troll Ray, I don’t know how your internets work, but on mine, I can just skip a thread, or even whole sites that don’t interest me. Maybe you can call tech support and they can talk you through getting that feature operational on your computer?
July 10th, 2008 at 5:04 pmHeckava job, Gramps McCain! Two thumbs up from me. Yeah, the Suckup Express is showing his true colors.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:04 pmRay Edmonds Says:
McCain, McCain, McCain. Seriously I’m sick of hearing about this guy. Lets discuss Stagnant wages and high oil prices. Why is this website obsessed with a crazy old man?
**flagged for “concerned troll” spamming
July 10th, 2008 at 5:05 pmI guess you can’t expect people who don’t know regular guys to correctly categorize someone as such. On the other hand, they are trying to sell this not-so-regular guy to regular guys, so they’ll try everything to make that connection.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:05 pmWow, Cindy went to USC? Did she graduate at the bottom of her class like St. John McBush did at Annapolis?
Inquiring minds want to know…
July 10th, 2008 at 5:05 pmDon Rickles, reincarnated.
I know, he’s not dead, yet.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:07 pmLet’s not forget the foul joke McCain liked to tell about the adolescent Chelsea Clinton. I won’t repeat it but if you have forgotten you can find it here
July 10th, 2008 at 5:09 pmWhy can’t he figure out that there is a difference between being direct of speech and being offensive ?
Do you think that his “joke” will make it easier to negotiate with Iran ?
His “straight talk” reminds me of the bore who corners you at a party and procedes to be bellicose about some inane or inappropriate topic. The spew of loud words doesn’t let anyone voice dissent so he can say that no one disagrees (dare I compare the the Bush WH ? We’re already seen that he doesn’t agree with his economic advisors and how he has the support of every veteran’s organization.)
As further support for my theory, I draw attention to his laugh after he made the cigarettes and Iran quip. I don’t know how to describe it. Perhaps smirking, gasping, etc. (anyone remember Welcome Back Kotter and Horshack – now blend that with Beavis and Butthead).
July 10th, 2008 at 5:11 pmTHEN GO TO ANOTHER WEBSITE.
How difficult is that to comprehend?
July 10th, 2008 at 5:11 pmThanks to the so called liberal media, the bar has been lowered so far for McSame that he can literally say or do anything and get a free pass.
The much anticipated ‘debates’ with Obama are going to be a joke. In any rational understanding of a debate, McSame should be rendered a laughing stock. But with the bar lowered so far, if McSame manages to state his name correctly, the media will dub him the winner.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:17 pmOh, thank you so much. You’re the best Concern Troll ever, Ray!
July 10th, 2008 at 5:17 pmenough Says:
Let’s not forget…
Good link: it illustrates the media’s love of McCain and how he can do no wrong with them and it was written ten years ago. That tells me that there’s no chance of them being anything but easy on him.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:23 pmMcCain rides first-class on Acela trains: “John McCain traveled like a man of the people Friday morning, riding an Amtrak train to Philadelphia after a late night of voting in Washington.” [Libby Quaid, Associated Press]
Say what???? When was this a few years ago? McShame has not voted on anything since the beginning of April (even when he is in Washington) Jeeze how stupid do they think we are.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:31 pmoops! my bad.
I’ll fix it for you TP.
coke-head Cindy the Homewrecking slit graduated?
There, now we are all friends again TP.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:38 pmraynman Says: The much anticipated ‘debates’ with Obama are going to be a joke. In any rational understanding of a debate, McSame should be rendered a laughing stock. But with the bar lowered so far, if McSame manages to state his name correctly, the media will dub him the winner.
He’ll just cheat like Bush and Romney did with those earpieces having someone feeding them the answers. Obama should pat him down in front of everyone.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:41 pm“Dr.” Hussein… He is a hypocrite for supporting McCain’s slam against rich college kids when he was one himself. I hate conservative, rich, privileged conservatives who scream “elitists” at democrats when they are more elite than most democrats can ever imagine being. SO YES… that makes him a hypocrite. Got it? Good. Now move on “doctor”.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:06 pmHe really is nasty to Cindy, isn’t he? That so-called joke looks like very thinly veiled hostility toward her, IMO.
I have never seen any footage of McNasty during this campaign where he has ever touched his wife, held her hand, helped her up or down a step, taken her arm – even kissed her cheek.
What a horrid, mean old man he is. *shudder*
July 10th, 2008 at 6:33 pm“He was wearing a sweatshirt with a lithograph photo of his family”
I didn’t know you could lithograph sweatshirts, or any kind of shirt, for that matter. Be an interesting process to see, I guess and certainly a big-time MSM reporter wouldn’t get something like that wrong, would he? While maybe meaning silkscreen photo?
July 10th, 2008 at 6:50 pmSlightly OT, but hey, I’m only reporting the news.
ABC World News, a few minutes ago @ 6:50 PM ET, reported that a hospital in Minnesota had deliveries of 17 babies in 16 hours. This was immediately followed by a report of a semi-pro football team coached by a woman.
Thank you, Charlie Gibson. Nothing is more important than the shit that the MSM doesn’t want you to see or hear.
July 10th, 2008 at 7:02 pmI forgot to include in post 37: The relevance of non-reporting McCain’s stupidity is akin to the two important ‘news’ items or John picking his nose.
July 10th, 2008 at 7:14 pmToday, McPutz said he can do a better job in bringing back manufacturing jobs than Obama.
He also said that he is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and can leap tall buildings in a single bound.
July 10th, 2008 at 7:23 pmThe only jobs Republicans are good at creating are construction jobs building Wal-Marts.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:49 pmYea, I especially like the one where he calls his wife a “Cunt.”
July 10th, 2008 at 10:33 pmHonesty is a strange choice of words to use to describe a series of speaking gaffes. Ill-prepared is the word that rolls off my lips to describe John McCain on the stump.
July 11th, 2008 at 12:27 am“McCain jokes about killing Iranian civilians: “The guy seems like any guy you’d want to have around the dinner table or the bar stool.” [Chuck Todd, NBC]
McCain jokes about blowing up Jon Stewart with an IED: “Despite the fact he steps over the line sometimes. It makes him seem much more accessible to voter. You know, everybody likes a guy with a good sense of humor.” [Carol Costello, CNN]”
I’m pretty sure Chuck and Carol must have attended one of John McCain barbeques and given an overdose of A! sauce. It sure tastes like that to us, Chuck and Carol.
By the way, if both of you (and the others) want to lose your credibility fast, keep up the love affair with Mad-Dog McCain.
I remember another guy who was fun at a party. His name is George W.Bush.
July 11th, 2008 at 1:41 am.
The Media’s Effusive Praise Of Honest Straight-Talker McSpeaker.
Straight-talk, my @ss. It’s more like talking straight out his @ss…
… SIDEWAYS!
.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:50 amBLITZER: There was some straight talk, very straight talk, from John McCain today. Then, he seemed to backtrack a little bit. What happened?
Zigzag talk?
July 11th, 2008 at 4:48 amYeah he’s fun all right. he’s the repug average liar.
mcchimpy’s gang is full of cartoon characters. how can they be taken seriously? Who in their right mind would protect such ignorance? Sen. Obama says “bitter” and the msm says it hurts ignorant people. Unbelievable!
when mcchimpy was on a radio show in Pittsburgh he said he gave up the names of the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line when his captors pressed him for more info. He wrote in his book that when pressed for more info he gave up the names of the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line.
Again I had to read it on the net. How much news have I missed during my life?
Haven’t these 29%ers felt the pinch yet? can they comprehend why it’s happening?
(via)
The President of the United States? I think not.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:35 ammcchimpy is running his military service in the ground. he acts as if he’s the only war “hero” in the world. Shame on him. It’s a fish story. mccotton.
Enough already!
July 11th, 2008 at 6:59 amCan someone please ’splain where the media got this shit? Is there anyone out there who’d actually want to hang out with that old man? I’d rather have my teeth pulled than have to endure his incoherent babbling, awkward manners and creepy, yellowish, smile. He’s the last person I’d want around the dinner table. What am I missing?
As for the high-speed Acela train from DC to Philadelphia making him a “man of the people”: Amtrak is WAY more comfortable and convenient than flying. The Acela takes you downtown-to-downtown is 90 minutes. Only a moron would fly from DC to Philly if given the choice to go by rail.
July 11th, 2008 at 2:39 pmJOHN McCAIN’S 3R ECONOMIC PLAN 2008
Abbreviated version
Republican Candidate John McCain with a progressive outlook, comes through for America with his 3R economic plan.
NUTS AND BOLTS of the plan are simple.
RETHINK REFORM REINVENT
As Americans we must Rethink our role as the new leader of industrial nations while we Reform our mindset of what best benefits not only the US Economy but the world economy. We must always keep in mind that a stronger America is a Stronger World and we MUST always make it first and foremost to own a stake in what matter most.
Americans must Reinvent our national approach to regain our strength as the global leader in this new McCain 3R Phase of USA manufacturing.
Our goals should no longer be steeped in the pure greed of strict capitalism but rather in a progressive entrepreneurship system where smaller companies are formed by private individuals and private sector groups of goal oriented teammates.
Speculators and accredited private investors will pick and choose these businesses, which may also be grouped in investment packages such as with current commodity and futures trading. The laws to do this exist and people are waiting for the next best investment.
Investing in the American workforce has always been in high demand until the greedy AFL CIO took control of the working class and chased away or ruined the corporations!
The growth will be phenomenal as a Corporation or LLC opened for business may fail on occasion, but with proper training and support from the 3R Schools, a simple manufacturing business may be purchased or simply revamped for a new opportunity in the US Commodity Market as well as with the manufacturing arena.
The highly profitable products to be manufactured are a concern for a huge Corporation looking at only the bottom dollar, but smaller LLC and Corporations in the manufacturing world are often better run with limited production items sold at reasonable prices. Profits are made not only from the USA made wholesale goods, but the massive USA based jobs provided along with the stocks and commodities in the market.
The move from fossil fuels to affordable energy can only be done in one of two ways:
1. Halt all projects paid for with taxes at the pump and other fuel taxes, OR,
2. John McCain’s Economic Plan involving the 3R’s, Rethink, Reform, Reinvent.
McCain’s 3R is technical, closely monitored, rapid and hands on training course from professionals to create new professionals. Thousands of currently-job-displaced “once leaders in the manufacturing arena” will be paid to train and instruct in the 3R plan.
These new leaders will step up to help create a whole new style of prosperous America. A massive restructuring that will provide thousands of new American manufacturing companies and create millions of new jobs for infrastructure alone.
Americans are going back to school where they are paid to reinvent their skills and learn new skills to design and lead their personal LLC, Corporation or joint venture company.
That’s easy enough to comprehend and just as easy to implement.
The 3R plan is designed as a six-month rapid advancement system.
Graduates may return for additional skill enhancements from time to time, or step up after new advanced training in executive management.
New jobs are the mainstay for creating a new guard for Social Security.
Initial estimates of 1 in 5 students will begin his or her own company and drive even more Americans into a viable lifestyle with real jobs, real benefits and a retirement to look forward to. By making these opportunities available without the crippling AFL CIO interference and their mob like influence, America will explode into the world market.
All of this governed under strict employee benefits as provided by state and federal standards and improved upon by each mfg operation to provide security and safety for these new 3R American workers.
This 3R plan may be accomplished without costing taxpayers (or the government) additional funds. America has the means to follow through with John McCain’s 3R plan, ready and in place across the USA. The buildings we need for our initial 3R schooling and MFG arenas sit vacant or abandoned.
By assuming leases on abandoned stores and factories across America with 3R schools and mini-manufacturing training centers, we may allow building owners to write-off their donations and reduced leases in taxes over a few years, and even more if they donate the space.
USA made tools, power equipment, bicycles, computers, TV’s, radios, furniture, building material, clothing, automotive products… the list is endless, will become the pride of American workers once again.
These ideas are great in themselves, but an entirely new stream of jobs to supply support for these manufacturing companies and their hundreds of thousands of new employees will be created and expanded. Business and infrastructure from shopping malls to homes, new roads to restaurants, grocery stores to government outlets and so much more…
McCain’s Straight Talk and decisive nature embodies a Progressive Theodore Roosevelt more than any US presidential candidate in history since the original Rough Rider blazed the greatest era of growth in America.
The 3R plan just makes sense.
THIS DRAFT COURTESY OF:
July 11th, 2008 at 4:32 pmJohn Lewis Mealer
founding president Mealer Companies
http://www.betterconstructed.com (original promotional site)
No offense, but that’s the dumbest sh@t I’ve read in a while. Sounds like something pulled out of McCain’s delusionally pollyannish “in 2013″ speech. A few really stupid excerpts:
By January 2013, America has welcomed home most of the servicemen and women who have sacrificed terribly so that America might be secure in her freedom. The Iraq War has been won. Iraq is a functioning democracy, although still suffering from the lingering effects of decades of tyranny and centuries of sectarian tension. Violence still occurs, but it is spasmodic and much reduced. Civil war has been prevented; militias disbanded; the Iraqi Security Force is professional and competent; al Qaeda in Iraq has been defeated; and the Government of Iraq is capable of imposing its authority in every province of Iraq and defending the integrity of its borders. The United States maintains a military presence there, but a much smaller one, and it does not play a direct combat role.
Now we can add: “By 2013 millions of unemployed Americans have been educated in the 3Rs. America now has a $500 trillion trade surplus with China and exports oil to the Middle East. USA made tools, power equipment, bicycles, computers, TV’s, radios, furniture, building material, clothing, automotive products… the list is endless, fill the shelves in Beijing and Shanghai. Superior American technical support specialists field calls from Bombay. The $300 million car battery contest has produced a perpetual motion machine. Cold fusion is a reality and teleporting is commonplace. All this has been achieved while eliminating income tax and the budget deficit… thanks to Johns McCain and the 3Rs.”
July 11th, 2008 at 9:41 pmYou know whats funny about this media love affair? Just last week the McCain camp let it be known that any reporters critical and writing bad things about McCain would not be welcome to ride on his straight talk express. Sort of a litmus test they would have to pass.
Someone namely Rachel Maddow, said the name of his plane would need to be changed to the “suck up express.”
Good on Rachel.
July 12th, 2008 at 1:44 amThe only reason all of you write on this blog is because you get your news from LIBERAL media! It’s so obvious that the major broadcast news corporations, CNN, ABC, NBC are liberal as all hell. Whenever a republic goes into a major election, he already has the odds stacked against him because the media projects anti conservative view points. You all get so angry and attack us for FOX News, but you’ve got a plethora of news channels to choose from – not to mention the NYTimes.
Not only are all major news broadcasts liberal, but they spoon feed all of us into thinking what they want us to know about the candidates. This clearly benefits Obama more than McCain (ie; McCain’s age)
I don’t expect any of you to truly understand my following comments but here it goes:
Shame on anyone (Comment 47 by Game of Life) for accusing McCain of milking his military service. At least McCain has something to be proud of. He served this country honorably and under the most perilous circumstances, especially at a time when everyone else was turning their backs (ie: Clinton’s draft dodging). McCain put his ass on the line: That is more than Obama, Clinton (both of them), Edwards, etc… have done for this country. ** And how quickly we forget Kerry mentioning his service in Vietnam every possible chance he got! **
I’m 22 years old with a fiancee in the Marines. I don’t trust Obama or any other liberal when it comes to national security, which I believe is the most important issue. We were lead for 8 years but Clinton who didn’t a damn thing to protect us from terrorism and now global terrorism is out of control and has been for the past 7 years. I DON’T care for Bush, and I believe he lacked experience and leadership from day one much like Obama does.
I’m not even scratching the service when it comes to holes in how the media treats McCain… Everyone drinks Obama’s punch and gets drunk off the promises he makes but he lacks substance. I don’t want a president who won based on the media’s portrayal of him being “hip” or a good speaker. I want a president with experience and leadership and that is clearly McCain. Get your facts straight and stop listening to the media.
July 12th, 2008 at 8:15 pmSo much for McCain’s brainless supporters not milking his military service. They can’t wrap their crania around the fact that military service doesn’t automatically qualify someone to lead the free world. McCain is probably the worst candidate to EVER have been nominated by ANY political party; and that includes Dubya (David Duke notwithstanding). His problems go far beyond being a terrible and uninspiring speaker. I’d venture to say McBush is clinically retarded… and his senile dementia isn’t helping either.
July 12th, 2008 at 9:51 pmOkay…so name a few things Obama has done for this country…
July 13th, 2008 at 11:26 amOkay…so name a few things Obama has done for this country…
July 16th, 2008 at 9:02 pmOkay, let’s play your game. Name ONE thing Dubya has done for the country (I mean something positive).