Why is nobody in the MSM (including Dems.) asking why McCain hasn't dumped Gramm?

[jenmito]

The media talks about Gramm calling us a "nation of whiners" and us being in a "mental recession," but they follow it by saying McCain has "clearly distanced himself from those remarks." I saw Jill Zuchman say this morning, on MSNBC, that, "Humor was a good way to distance himself from those remarks. And saying Gramm would make a good ambassador of Belarus" made it pretty clear that he didn't like what he said," (paraphrased)-but why is that enough? The guy's still his economic adviser, right? As long as he is, I wish the Dems. (including Obama himself) would continue to pound those comments just like HIS opponents pounded the "bitter" comments. I think this should be used to our advantage much more than it is right now.

[Mika]

1. I want McSame to keep Gramm.

:evilgrin:

[jenmito]

4. I do, too, but if nobody knows what he SAID (and what similar things MCCAIN said), he'll

continue to be seen as the "straight-talker."

[Overseas]

2. John Sidney McCain III has cultivated his pals in the media for 20 years now

Every day we see how hard they are working to cover up his major gaffes, lies and insufficiencies.

[jenmito]

8. I know. It's sad to see how they excuse or ignore every mistake/lie he ever says...

especially where he LIED to the Veteran in his town hall nearly a week ago now.

[liberal N proud]

3. It isn't in the talking points for the day

[flpoljunkie]

5. Why? The media, riders on the "Lap Dog Express," is McCain's base.

Notable exception: The New York Times editorial board today penned a 'truth telling' must read regarding Senator John McCain, titled, "There He Goes Again."

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/12/opinion/12sat1.html?hp=&pagewanted=print

[Gidney N Cloyd]

6. Never interrupt your enemy while he's making a mistake. - Napolean

[ErinBerin84]

7. Jill Zuchman is pathetic.

I remember one episode of Hardball where they were discussing Hagel saying that he would consider a position in Obama's cabinet if asked, and she started lamenting about the "loss of Hagel and McCain's friendship, and how incredibly sad it made her".

(I kicked another thread that someone made with the McCain campaign's "official response"...you can't erase the influence at this point, McLame, sorry. Dems need to push this).

[jenmito]

11. I saw that...

just like I see EVERY episode. Did you see Mike Barnacle hosting last night? He KEPT asking, "Why doesn't Obama connect to voters? Is it because he's 'too cool for school,' or looks like he belongs in the faculty lounge?" (He got the "faculty lounge" one from Pat Buchanan). Then Harold Ford jumped in, saying he thought Obama's joke about "Dr. Phil" was inappropriate, that he should've given a serious answer about how he understands this is a REAL recession and people ARE hurting (which, of course, he DID, but the media cut off). Surprisingly, Andrea Mitchell stuck up for Obama, telling Ford that he DID say those things but the media didn't show it.

[ErinBerin84]

13. jesus christ, you know it's bizarro world when Andrea Mitchell is sticking up for Obama!

[jenmito]

15. I know. I couldn't believe it! And Ford was silent.

[kentuck]

9. Excellent question.

Just because McCain can't remember his ass from a hole in the ground is no excuse for the media to forget the past of Phil Gramm and his criminal connections and favoritism. It shows a total lack of judgment for John McCain to have Gramm connected to his campaign in any way.

[jenmito]

14. Thanks. And that's just one of MANY things that McCain is getting away with.

Could you imagine if OBAMA made any of those mistakes/lies? How many times would OBAMA have gotten away with confusing Sunni and Shia or "not recalling" a position he took or a vote he made or lying about the most important part of his past (McCain changed his story about telling his captors in Vietnam the names of his buddies in his "group") and on and on...

[ErinBerin84]

17. yup. First read blog on MSNBC.com had the John McCain story about the Pittsburgh Steelers pander

and prefaced it with "Can you imagine if John Kerry had said something like this?" One of the commenters said "And maybe if you guys actually did your job and treated John McCain the way you treated John Kerry, we would find out".

[jenmito]

18. Really? I gotta check that out. It's sad that it's not all over the media. Only Rachel Maddow

on Countdown covered it.

[RDANGELO]

10. The Obama campaign is saving it for later.

With Gramm's mindset, he is sure to say something similar to this at a later date when people are paying even more attention. Even if he doesn't, Obama can bring up the fact that he is still a senior economic adviser in the debates or in an add. McCain should fire him, but he won't because he is a close confidant and he doesn't have enough confidence in his own grasp of economics.

[jenmito]

16. I hope he saves the video! And uses it. It's just more proof that McCain IS out of touch.

I really hope Obama takes advantage of this.

[4themind]

20. Yeah the longer gramm stays on now

the worse its going to look when obama turns up the heat again (which he'd do anyway in my view) for STILL not jettisoning him, from an official position on his campaign.

[Skink]

12. Cut him loose

:hurts:

[Skittles]

19. the longer Gramm sticks around, the better for Obama

Gramm is an out-of-touch elitist prick who is GUARANTEED to make more gaffes until he is getting the boot - let Obama get some mileage out of him before it happens - that "WHINER" stuff is pure GOLD for Obama

[jenmito]

21. I agree, but did you see Rachel Maddow last night on Countdown asking why

Obama is letting this slide after talking about it just one time? But Chris Kofinis pointed out that his surrogates are talking about it.

[Skittles]

22. aw damn, Obama should be making hay out of it

it's pretty much the definition of what conservatism has become in America - people who not only don't understand but don't TRY to understand. I am of the opinion a person can be wealthy and STILL GET IT but people like Gramm are f***ing hopeless

How can I find out who is hosting Countdown - I'll watch Ms. Maddow but I'll take a pass on Keith

[jenmito]

23. He should! But he dropped it after using it one time (and it got coverage in the MSM and the

audience LOVED his response. That's why I was surprised he hasn't used it again (yet).

Keith was on vacation all last week. He'll be back Monday.

[ErinBerin84]

24. they should have as many people in Obama's campaign this weekend

studying Gramm's voting record and all of the instances in which McCain has lauded Gramm as a freaking GENUIS, economic questions in town hall meetings in which he referred the question to Gramm, his debate answers regarding Gramm, more about Gramm's enron connection- why haven't they been using that? I remember reading that Dems were planning on using Carly's dirty dealings on HP in the future- but there hasn't been ANYTHING about that yet- everything to cement the connection between Gramm and McCain in voter's minds. I can see why Obama may not have wanted to focus on that himself on Friday (even though his campaign had a conference call about it) but I agree that they BETTER NOT WASTE THIS OPPORTUNIY! It comes at a much needed time.

[jenmito]

26. I agree...

and they're usually so up on everything-so quick to respond or hit back, but they've totally ignored Fiorina's comments vs. McCain's comments/positions/votes, and it looks like they're letting THIS one go, too, when these two subjects are the MOST important ones and also two that the voters seem most uninformed about re: McCain's positions.

[AtomicKitten]

25. The MSM kowtow to campaigns seeking to drive the news cycle by working the refs.

Obama doesn't snivel. Surely you aren't suggesting the MSM actually do some investigative reporting on their own? Pfffft.

edited for K&R :hi:

[jenmito]

27. True, but at LEAST Obama's surrogates can push these stories. Yesterday, when a pundit on MSNBC

asked a Dem. strategist if she thought Jesse Jackson's remarks were comparable to Gramms's (which of course they're NOT), she said, "Well, it's not exactly 'apples to apples,' but I'd say it's RED apples to GREEN apples." :wtf:

Thanks for the K&R. :hi:

[ErinBerin84]

28. Where do they FIND these Dem strategists? They consistently suck!

The questions that pundits/hosts have been asking about Phil Gramm are so ridiculous...On Good Morning America, one host asked John Edwards if "McCain should be blamed for what an advisor says, or if this is just some 'negative politicking' going on". Negative politicking?! Of course, this was after a complete Hit Job segment that GMA did on Obama's stance on Iraq.



I really want to know who is on Sunday Morning shows for Obama tomorrow, does anyone know yet?

[jenmito]

29. I think they pick the weakest ones purposely. Yup-they give 'em loaded, biased

questions and stick up for McCain.

I don't know yet.

[AtomicKitten]

30. Obama needs people that know the facts and issues when McBush folk lie -

which is pretty much every time they open their mouth. Sometimes I want to reach through the TV and throttle some of Obama's clueless surrogates (or those seemingly speaking on his behalf). Aaarrgggh!!!

[jenmito]

31. I know how you feel...

because I feel the same way. I wish I was in their place MANY times. They're so weak and let these people get away with almost anything.

[Disturbed]

32. McLame's blatant lie about the Steelers is disgraceful

It was no mistake. He didn't mis-speak or not remember. The interviewer asked him again & McLame smiled & said it again. He purposefully changed the team because he was is Pittsburg. Using his POW experience to promote himself is shameless. How anyone could just over look such a pandering lie is amazing.

[AtomicKitten]

33. Remember Kerry getting stomped for mispronouncing the name of Lambeau (Lambert) field?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21672-2004Sep14.html

The GOP and MSM teamed up for the take-down. One would have thought he'd raped a poodle on camera. McBush sullies his own bio with this pandering cheese and nary a word.

[jenmito]

35. I was going to say the same thing!

GMTA! :hi:

[jenmito]

34. It was such a big deal to Olbemann that he called in to discuss it with Maddow.

But, of course, that's where the coverage began an ended.

[jobycom]

36. Maybe they don't McCain is running for president? They think it's a practical joke, maybe.

Otherwise I'd have to conclude that the media shows a demonstrable bias towards Republicans, conservatives, and those likely to give their parent corporations tax breaks, and I'd hate to conclude that.