The McCain-Palin press black-out

Would someone with more media and political savvy than I please explain what the McCain camp hopes to accomplish by denying press access to the top and the "bottom" of the ticket?

I'm sure this is a well-calculated move, but other than ticking off even Foxnews, I can't see what is being accomplished by making the media the enemy.

BTW, if one is not following this story, you can read about it here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/22/mccain-campaigns-media-bl_n_128481.html

This is typical Republican strategy. First of all, the Republican party has nothing but snake oil to sell to the American people. They have to have idiots out front selling it, because anyone with a modicum of sense would realize they are engaged in an immoral fraud and not be involved with the snake oil sales. since they have idiots fronting their product, they can't allow anyone to see how dumb their representatives really are so access must be as tightly controlled as possible. It has been this way for at least eight years, of course they've been selling this snake oil for thirty years now. After thirty years of nothing but disaster and failure it has gotten very hard to continue selling it.

I would ask those who were around in 1980: are you better off today, after thirty years of Reaganomics?

I myself blame the media. Where are the reporters yelling out questions as they walk away from a press conference? Where's the "we-have-no-response-but-we'll-keep-you-posted" story? Where's the "Mr. McCain, are you afraid to let her speak for herself?" reporter who either gets an answer or gets blown off?(both of which are news).

Can you imagine Woodward and Bernstein imposing such limits on themselves? "We're not sure if we have a story here. No one's telling us anything certain, and we don't want to risk making a mistake or offending anyone. People won't talk to us if we make them mad."

According to a Yahoo News (AP) article, CNN declined to send its cameras to capture Gov Palin's meetings with world leaders--CNN's intent, after reporters were excluded, was to deny her free publicity. I was kind of impressed!

(I don't get CNN, so tell me if CNN changed its mind.)

I think there should be total and complete press blackout of ALL of the Palin/McCain ticket's events.

Busy building up her foreign relations credibility. Keeping the pesky press from asking too many unhelpful questions in the meantime. It's all meant to play to the base at political rallies and other staged events. Now they can say at the next rally 'See everybody, she knows Karzai and Uribe'.

I think they are just worried that McCain will get another ringing endorsement from a conservative columnist such as, oh, say, George Will...

"Under the pressure of the financial crisis, one presidential candidate is behaving like a flustered rookie playing in a league too high. It is not Barack Obama."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/22/AR2008092202583....

Republicans have preferred tightly scripted photo-op situations and speeches before handpicked, friendly audiences since the Reagan years. So this sudden press phobia is not unexpected. After Palin's performance during the interview with Gibson (which was hardly a tough interview), I can see why they don't want her out there giving spontaneous answers to questions about the proposed bail out, credit-swaps, or the weakening of the Iraqi "Awakening". The format of the vice-presidential debate will entirely suit her strength: the ability to give scripted non-responsive responses.

McCain's blunder on the state of the economy last week also has to be worrisome to the party strategists. Probably his best move has been to keep Carly Fiorina in deep cover as he lambasts large rewards given to failed CEOs (although he told Meredith Vieira that he felt Fiorina had done a great job and was a role model for young women in response to Vieira's reminder that Fiorina had received a golden parachute after being fired by Hewlett-Packard).

I'm just amazed that the American public doesn't call them on it--specifically those canned "approved audience members only" speeches. The point of speeches is supposed to be to FIND OUT about these people. The point of debates is to see how they respond under pressure WITHOUT a script... WITHOUT knowing what will be asked. It's like a teacher throwing a pop quiz: to see how "prepared" a student really is.

Without depth, without finding out things about the candidates except their chosen sound bites, we don't learn anything. We don't get anywhere. It's like going to a psychiatrist and not saying certain things because they're "too embarrassing". The patient may feel better, but he's not getting anywhere.

#7: That's one of those things that really make me wonder about McCain's temperment. Fits right in with "Bomb bomb bomb Iran."

Excuse me, but WTF?!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/us/politics/25mccain.html?_r=1&hp&oref...

First, a press blackout, now he doesn't even want to debate?!?!

Personally, I think ol' John took a good long look at the state of things, and is pining for a comfortable life in Sedona...

Seriously, look at the photo. It fairly screams "I'M TIRED AND I WANT TO TAKE A NAP!"

#11: both are sitting senators, both should be expected to do the job that is expected of them - the current crisis trumps, I agree with McCain. How they each react to these events will speak volumes more than any televised debate, IMO.

>12 enevada: Bollocks.

"Under the pressure of the financial crisis, one presidential candidate is behaving like a flustered rookie playing in a league too high. It is not Barack Obama." - George F. (the "F" standing for "Far Right") Will

12
Did you really write that with a straight face?

Both are sitting senators AND presidential candidates. If elected, they will not have the option of setting other important things aside for every crisis that develops. If McCain cannot multi-task, he might need to rethink his ability to do the job.

My response (and McCain's) is the rational one. This is the difference between politics (Obama's forte) and governance (McCain's).

Froth away.

So how DO you feel about McCain's recent conversion to populist economics? I take it that was a governance move and not a political move.

I love how reaction is immediately polarized. Someone get the brain scan machine.

Since McCain himself says he doesn't know squat about economics, I'm not sure what chickening out on delaying the debate will accomplish.

It would be one thing if this was 6 months ago, or even 2 months ago...but right now we the people need to see these two in a debate away from the spin of their "stump" speeches. And yes, while they have a job to do on Capital Hill right now, that doesn't mean they can't take a few hours out to talk about things about which they should already have opinions, thoughts, and ideas.

To me it seems like McCain is saying "I don't have time to cram for this test (the debate) right now".

I think a political solution to the economic crisis is probably the worst possible outcome for the country. I'm not sure how it can be avoided in an election year, but returning to Washington to address the problem seems like a good first step.

Yes, Washington is a great place to get away from all the political pressures of the job.

18
Actually, my first thoughts weren't polarized. I sat back in my armchair, wrinked my brow, I may have thoughtfully removed my glasses (I forget), and thought, "Hmmm. Now this is an interesting development. I wonder what Senator McCain has in mind to save our ailing economy?"

>16 enevada: Let's not pretend that either McCain or Obama are point men when it comes to economic policy in the Senate. They're not. If they are competent, they and their advisers are keeping close tabs on the work of the real players in this crisis, and, when necessary, they are personally calling people on the fence in order to help win them over to what they believe to be their side.

You don't have to be physically present in D.C. during every political crisis.

McCain can pretend the contrary; Hell, he may actually have to. Conservatives all around, from Will to the WSJ, were appalled by his initial reaction to this crisis. So, instead of acting rationally, he tries to win back conservatives by storming about like a child when everyone knows that he is not a key player in determining economic policy in the Senate.

It's stagecraft, and, like the rest of his campaign, it has been poorly managed.

But then, if he can avoid actually participating in a full-fledged debate, it's probably best for him to do so. It will be like Nixon v. JFK, except for the fact that McCain is older, more temperamental (in public, anyway), and far, far to the right of Nixon on both domestic and international policy concerns.

I agree that this financial crisis is a serious problem that needs the attention of the candidates. But there are many important things that need dealing with; are we going to postpone all the debates if Senator McCain can find enough excuses? The senators don't need to be on the senate floor every minute; they have staffs to keep up with things, and presumably a key vote can wait a day if necessary to let us get a look at these guys together. In the current situation, having to choose governance vs. politics is a false choice. Let's have both.

It's just like when Granpa used to say he wanted to go to the mall. He'd get all dressed up in his cap and windbreaker, his little white tennis shoes, then he'd sit on the couch and refuse to go anywhere! Arrgh! So frustrating! C'mon Granpa, let's GO!

The McCain ticket is the saddest little couple of 3rd stringers the GOP could possibly have put up. Just how long does McCain think he can run from a debate? Same thing with Palin. Jeez, it's pathetic.

What a sad, sad, little, useless pair of empty-headed ideologues we have here. I'm embarrassed for them.

Most of the comments have been about what putting off the debate and the campaign really means and what a good candidate should do. I'm curious about how it will play. Will more than 50% of the people see an earnest American buckling down to solve the country's problems, or will they see him running for cover?

Robert

At first blush it seems like a good idea, take care of the crisis over the frivolous, but as Artic said, multi-tasking is part of the president's job. Plus the debates are not frivolous, at least not this time around. Most pundits think that the debate performances will decide the election. In addition, its one way in which most Americans get an unscripted, mostly unbiased look at the candidates (as opposed to the convention, where its one long infomercial). Both events are important to attend to and while it will be hard on the candidates, it will be good practice for the White House.

The AP has an interesting article on McCain's gambit to postpone campaigning for the next few days.

#18 Yes, this election stuff makes people quite antsy. I try to shut it out as much as possible, but it does make me peevish. I just can't imagine another 4 years of the same.... But I'll guess we would live through that one too, somehow.

It was necessary to cancel Gov. Palin's campaign events, so she could ____________(?)

Oh, puh-lease!

_________ = so she could handle the trooper-gate investigation... oh, wait, she's not "participating" in that investigation any longer.

by and by, next ticket I get, I'm telling the cops their obvious political leanings have tainted their judgment and I'm not participating in their partisan traffic court.

Don't get any tickets. Put 'em out of work.

Robert

Heh. Second string quarterback.

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2008/09/24/letterman-brutalizes-john-mccain-for-ca...

Is Palin doing some of the heavy lifting on the economy as well?

I haven't for over 5 years and still they continue. It's conspiracy I tell you.

>11 Makifat:
The best part of the NYT article:

Mr. McCain made the call after spending more than an hour preparing for Friday’s debate at the Morgan Library and Museum — which, by coincidence, is where J. Pierpont Morgan bailed the country out of the great financial panic of 1907 by locking the leading bankers of the day in his library and forcing them to come up with a rescue plan.

That’s an excellent idea! Someone should round up all those Wall Street execs who got salaries, bonuses, and golden parachutes in the tens (or even hundreds) of millions, and lock them in a library until they come up with the $700 billion.

>30 Arctic-Stranger:

McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, was canceling her limited campaign events. She told the "CBS Evening News" that the country could be headed for another Great Depression if Congress doesn't reach a solution.

WTF??? Is Palin planning to go down to DC too, and contribute to the negotiations? That should be fun to watch!

Based on the rock star treatment she received from conservatives after her nomination, one would think that if Palin just showed up among House Republicans who are resisting the bail out deal, they would all swoon and follow her lead. Where she would lead them is unclear: perhaps there's a preseason hockey game in the Capitol this weekend.

I think the best part is McCain's recent conversion to the belief that the economy is in trouble. It seemed to go from "by insinuating the economy is in trouble you are insulting Americans!" to total panic in less than a week. Did someone finally show him his investment portfolio projections?

jlelliott>

Yes, how quickly we forget. McCain just told us how sound the economy was, what? six days ago? What happened over the last 144 hours that he didn't see coming?

The other thing that kills me is that this economic turmoil is just way more important than a debate. Let's assume that's true.

The hurricanes were also enough of a reason for Bush and Cheney to miss the GOP convention. Can anyone tell me what either Bush or Cheney did that week in relation to the hurricanes? Can anyone tell me what Cheney did that week or show me a picture of Cheney doing something other than NOT attending the convention?

That's how I feel about McCain. If he doesn't attend the debate Friday they should show a live picture of him in the corner of the screen so we can see what he's doing instead. Ridiculous.

Here's the reason they're keeping her away from the press:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/25/palin-talks-russia-with-k_n_129318.html

They're not keeping her that far away.

Jesse>

If you showed Palin's answers (in writing) to a 9th grade English teacher I think it would be on par with most of the stuff they read every day.

Call me judgmental, but read her answers out loud if you can bear it. It's unbelievable.

Oh, and by the way, nice try on the blue/green question. Try it face to face with people. They'll think you're kidding but in the end they'll still have an answer for you.

I don't need to read them. I heard them.

The blue/green thing isn't over yet. There's still arguing to be done.

This is Librarything. Hear us roar!

Three columnists across the political spectrum calling for Palin to step down - to "spend time with her family" or whatever.

Bob Herbert at the New York Times: Palin's Words Raise Red Flags

Kathleen Parker at the National Review: Palin Problem: She's out of her league

Fareed Zakaria at Newsweek: Palin is Ready? Please.

Let's not forget, on the right, George Will, David Brooks, and Charles Krauthammer (not sure if I spelled the last correctly, too lazy to look it up).

Now, I don't know if these three are actually asking her to go away, but they certainly think she was a very bad choice.

Fat chance she will get ditched anyway. Besides, I can't wait for the debate. It's gonna be, like, you know, sooo cool!

Supposedly, there's more footage from the Couric interview that will be released later.

My understanding that the McCain folks are pushing the idea that if we could see the entire interview, in context, Palin would come off much better. I think of this as the "poop in a swimming pool" theory.

makifat>

I can see her at the debate on Thursday:

"Some have even suggested that I'm not the right choice for this election. Well, I told them what I tell Putin every time he flies thru Alaska's airspace... "Thanks... but no thanks."

Huffington Post is pushing the idea that she Can't Name Supreme Court Case Other Than Roe V. Wade in the footage.

Palin and McCain on CBS.

>54 Jesse_wiedinmyer:

I don't know why, but the way Palin smiles and nods while McCain explains her positions reminds me of this.

That?

Yeah, that's the image that came to mind.

>51 Makifat:
Thanks for introducing me to this concept. It explains a lot of things.

Yeah, that's the image that came to mind.

Hello, crazy.

I think it's funny seeing him sit there with her (not that he's defending or protecting her of course)--he just has nothing better to do with his time.

I thought maybe he was there to announce that since there was no bailout Governor Palin was suspending her campaign...

>61 jasonseidner:

The McCain-Palin sit-down with Katie Couric (who, inadvertently, is becoming the Edward Morrow of this campaign) reminded me of a high school parent-teacher meeting, of a father explaining why his child shouldn't have received a C grade in a social studies course.

I noticed Palin made a remark about having heard about Joe Biden while she was still in grade school: "'I’m looking forward to meeting him,” she continued. “I’ve never met him. I’ve been hearing about his Senate speeches since I was in, like, the second grade.'”

I suppose she first heard about John McCain while she was, like, still in utero.

On the bright side: this is more fodder for the SNL writers.

theoria>

You're right... to be honest, that was the first image I had too--the parents coming to school in defense of their helpless child.

I wonder if they'll let McCain stand next to her at the debate on Thursday (you know... if only to help clarify what she's trying to say.)

This is just embarrassing.

You know it's bad when it pains you to watch a politician whom you want to see fail fail.

I can't believe it either. Every time I think she's said THE most embarrassingly stupid thing possible she tops herself.

Jay Leno should get Tina Fey to do a guest spot on 'Jaywalk Allstars'.

On the other hand...the fact that she's "average," that she doesn't know things she should know if she's planning to be vice-president, are assets for a sizable segment of the electorate. This segment resents "smart people" and, like Palin, probably doesn't read a newspaper on a regular basis. Palin's social trajectory mirrors their own and they are proud to find that "one of us" has made it: governor today, vice-president tomorrow. She talks like them, her family reminds them of their own family. Nothing about Palin makes them feel inadequate. It may turn out that Palin's "inadequacies" are keeping McCain close in the race against Obama.

I think you're right about that, theoria, but HOLY COW, what a thing! I personally want my leaders to be smarter, more mentally nimble, more emotionally stable, more everything that I am. The thought of voting for "someone like me" to be a national or world leader is frightening...and by the way, I say this as an Ivy-educated, well-read, "good" person.

When did arrogance and ignorance become admirable qualities?

During the VP debate, I'm expecting for Palin to have that same 'mystery bulge' that Bush had when he debated Kerry.

You can be both smart and in touch with the people. It's not that hard. My goodness if nothing else it shows that under pressure, she really struggles to speak lucidly. But hey that won't matter will it? its not like the VP could ever have stressful situations in which they would have to act and think quickly.

This is just sad and pathetic, really. There are some very bright, kind, informed, well-spoken members of the Republican party that could be a VP candidate right now...I would be ashamed if I was a staunch Republican and this was my A-team.

Definitely not a fan of hers but I have a hard time believing she doesn't read a few newspapers and magazines. If I remember correctly she's been photographed with some John Birch related literature. I would point out that this defensiveness of hers makes her look like a real dope. It occurs to me that she may be afraid to say just in case it could be used against her--let's call it paranoia or shell shock. The veneer is off and she is going to have to pull herself up by her bootstraps or she's going to fail big time and McCain is going to need to be careful himself in just how much he can support her. Picking her was a big mistake on his part--insulating her makes it look even worse and if he feels the need to overprotect it will be even worse still.

Another segment of the ongoing Couric interviews: Palin, Biden on Roe v. Wade. Palin is quite definitive re her "federalist" position on Roe, but struggles to identify any other court decisions she did not support.

Someone who debated her over 2 dozen times said she's the master of the non-answer. The advice of that person was for Biden to ignore her, just answer the questions to the best of his ability and let his answers stand on their own. If he debates her with any intelligence, he will come off as a bully. Let her fall back on folksy tales and momisms and hope the American public is more intelligent than the pundits think.

We will only be getting half the class and intelligence on stage this week when compared to McCain vs. Obama last week.

It just gets better and better. From the Christian Science Monitor: Flirting with Palin earns Pakistani president a fatwa.

With some overly friendly comments to Gov. Sarah Palin at the United Nations, Asif Ali Zardari has succeeded in uniting one of Pakistan's hard-line mosques and its feminists after a few weeks in office.

A radical Muslim prayer leader said the president shamed the nation for "indecent gestures, filthy remarks, and repeated praise of a non-Muslim lady wearing a short skirt."

Feminists charged that once again a male Pakistani leader has embarrassed the country with sexist remarks. And across the board, the Pakistani press has shown disapproval....

And this, from Kitty Burns Florey at Slate, for the English majors in the crowd: Diagramming Sarah: Can Palin's sentences stand up to a grammarian?

I wish elitists (probably from the east coast) like Kitty Burns Florey would stop picking on Sarah Palin. John McCain already said she doesn't have a PhD from Harvard. Plus you don't need a degree from Harvard to know that creationism is the only science. She's no William F. Buckley, Jr., and she may appear to be an Eliza Dolittle in need of a Henry Higgins (is Bill Safire available?), but you don't have to be Shakespeare to believe that a zygote has rights under the U. S. Constitution. All you snobs should just, like, back off.

She may not be Einstein, but we would like at least a little more evidence of her college education. Compare her and Biden to Bush v. Ferraro and you have Palin bringing a spork to a knife fight. Ferraro was clearly Bush's equal in ability, Palin is a PTA mom out of her league. If Palin is lucky she'll accidentally poke Biden in the eye with her spork.

oregonobsessionz>

That diagramming thing was great. Very funny.

It's nice to know that as a country we've advanced from dangling chads to dangling modifiers.

>77 jasonseidner:

Glad you enjoyed it. I couldn't resist, My 7th grade English teacher was an ancient guy (well, he seemed ancient to me, and he did retire within a year or two after my time there) who made us spend an inordinate amount of time diagramming sentences. It was an obsolete skill even then, and I suppose they no longer teach it, but it does teach organized sentence structure. (Not that anyone would know it, from the way I write!)

68> (about the mystery bulge) I doubt it, they've had four years to perfect the technology.

>73 oregonobsessionz: You know, I think I'm with Pakistan's Muslim leaders and feminists on this one: only boors treat female representatives (or potential representatives) of other countries so inappropriately. (And it's especially boorish behavior for a supposedly grieving, recently widowed man.)

Such inappropriate behavior is not just a Muslim thing, either. Israel's Ariel Sharon made an appreciative remark about Condaleeza Rice's legs. George Bush massaged Angela Merkel's shoulders. Boors!

>80 margd: Let's not forget the time Reagan goosed Thatcher!

> 81 No! (?) Guess there's reason for no-touch rule for Queen Elizabeth, unless she offers you her hand. Years ago there was a minor flap when a New Brunswick leader touched her elbow (to guide her?). The queen didn't make a fuss, but others did! Quaint, huh? For her visit to Saudi Arabia, Queen Elizabeth was even declared a man! I would have though Margaret Thatcher would likewise have demanded such respect?

LBJ did put Canadian PM Mike Pearson up against a wall "for peeing in my backyard" or some such thing, so maybe such disrespect is not limited to women leaders.

#79 - jjwilson61,

That's true. She could just wear a Blue Tooth. Don't be surprised if her hair covers her ears in the debate.

Even if she does have a comm device of some sort she doesn't strike me as the kind who can speak and listen at the same time. If she is rigged look for the delay. Maybe the idiots will run it through a satellite making it even more, dare I say, pronounced.

As far as what she reads, I saw a clip of the Couric interview where she said she reads ALL the papers and magazines. I looked for it on YouTube, but don't have the patience to wade through seven or more pages of clips both real and unreal.

Is anyone concerned that McCain will run the country the way he is running his campaign? Does anyone out there beside me see his campaign imploding? Lurching from handle to handle, event to event, with no vision, no goals, no plan?

More of the same never looked so cogent.

84> "Is anyone concerned that McCain will run the country the way he is running his campaign? Does anyone out there beside me see his campaign imploding? Lurching from handle to handle, event to event, with no vision, no goals, no plan?"

This is exactly the concern and the problem with McCain. His mismanagement of his campaign began last summer when he ran out of money. I think he's been unable to express any vision or goals because he's never committed to anything but himself; his "mission" is his refusal to submerge his ego. He relishes the maverick role (although in the course of 26 years in the Senate, there aren't that many instances of that). This is what he offers and I think we've seen, over the last few weeks, exactly what that would mean if he were President.

This also explains why his campaign is primarily run on negative themes: "I'm not Barack Obama, and I approve this message".

85
"His mismanagement of his campaign began last summer when he ran out of money."

You know, that's a very good point. Especially considering the hugely important role the economy will play in the next Administration. If he can't keep an eye on the money in the early stages of an election campaign, why would we trust him with the national economy?

84, 85,86>

You all make really good points. I've thought for quite some time that McCain's theme has been what's in the moment, shoot from the hip.

I also think that his goal is to WIN the presidency more than it it is to BE president. I feel like winning would be the culmination of his career but that doing the job would be secondary.

Kind of like the people who have kids to call themselves parents and be "seen" with their children but don't really enjoy raising children at all.

He's actually stated before that he wasn't interest in becoming president to promote any particular policy or viewpoint, but that it was just an ambition of his.

>81 BGP: I actually made that one up (my first draft had Hafez al-Assad goosing Golda).

88>

And I'm not saying that from a partisan position. I think the same thing about Hillary. They each want to put the cherry on top of their career--to almost "justify" all the hard work they've done, all the sacrifices they've made along the way.

Some people get married that way--they think their wedding day is the climax, when in truth it's just the beginning.

I think McCain wants the title more than he wants the job.

A charming story from David Nather: Obama Makes McCain Very Uncomfortable

Let the record reflect that Barack Obama made the approach to John McCain tonight.

As the two shared the Senate floor tonight for the first time since they won their party nominations, Obama stood chatting with Democrats on his side of the aisle, and McCain stood on the Republican side of the aisle.

So Obama crossed over into enemy territory.

He walked over to where McCain was chatting with Republican Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida and Independent Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut. And he stretched out his arm and offered his hand to McCain.

McCain shook it, but with a “go away” look that no one could miss. He tried his best not to even look at Obama.

Finally, with a tight smile, McCain managed a greeting: “Good to see you.”

Obama got the message. He shook hands with Martinez and Lieberman — both of whom greeted him more warmly — and quickly beat a retreat back to the Democratic side.

After the past 7 years of "with us or against us", I don't think we can afford another president who demonizes everyone who dares to disagree with him. What does it say about McCain that he won't even look at Obama? What are the chances he would be able to work with a Congress where both houses are likely to have significant Dem majorities?

>91 oregonobsessionz: I beat you to it (by two minutes.)

I just heard a radio interview with a guy who wrote a book about how our arrogance has taken a real opportunity with N. Korea and potentially screwed any chance we may have of coming to some kind of rapprochement with them.

We don't need four or eight more years of this ninth grade bullshit.