Criticizing the Mote in McCain’s Eye While Mostly Ignoring the Beam in Obama’s
Hmm, let’s see. If you’re Barack Obama, you can make up your own Presidential Seal and give a campaign rally in front of a quarter of a million Germans and that, in the MSM’s estimation, is just fine. Oh sure, they might note that the bloggers on the right are all in an uproar over it, but who listens to those guys anyhow?
But if you’re John McCain, you can’t even speak out decisively on a matter with which you will be dealing should you get elected, nor can you have a couple sitting Senators visit our ally in a time of need without it raising a “question of propriety” (via memeorandum).
How, exactly, is that fair?
John McCain has had an exceptional week. Aside from his statement earlier in the week that “In the 21st century, nations don’t invade other nations”, McCain has been…presidential. His statements have been unambiguous and firm and have promised Russia an array of punishments for bad behavior and rewards for good. I’ve been impressed with what he’s had to say.
And on the lone odd statement, I can’t figure it out. I know what he was trying to say, but it looks to me like he went for the “stinger” line instead of eschewing the easy soundbyte in favor of an explanation that would have taken up a bit more room. He could have easily said, “In the 21st Century, nations must not simply invade other nations to expand their reach or sphere of influence”. That’s a principled stand that critics of the United States in recent years would have difficulty arguing against reasonably. He went for the cheap applause line and got it, but he also created an easy way for his more fatuous opponents to pummel him on his strongest area of expertise.
He still faces a tough uphill fight to win the White House. The MSM, as I see today, is certainly going to nitpick him to death in a way they’ve not even begun to nitpick his opponent. I don’t expect that will change, which means that McCain is goign to have to be even more circumspect about what he says without diluting his messages.
Other Posts of Interest:
- John McCain – No One’s First Choice
- John McCain Takes the Opportunity to Shoot Himself Squarely in the Pinky Toe
- Barack Obama Really Needs to Check His Package Right Now.
Category: Johnny Mac, Oh, THAT liberal media.
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the – Web Reconnaissance for 08/15/2008 A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day…so check back often.