Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Asking McCain To Give What He Can’t Deliver

Silly New York Times! While wingnuts are trying to present the Times’ rejection of John McCain’s op-ed as an example of “liberal bias”, Times Op-Ed page editor David Shipley actually explained to the McCain campaign why the draft was rejected in this letter:
It would be terrific to have an article from Senator McCain that mirrors Senator Obama’s piece. To that end, the article would have to articulate, in concrete terms, how Senator McCain defines victory in Iraq. It would also have to lay out a clear plan for achieving victory — with troops levels, timetables and measures for compelling the Iraqis to cooperate. And it would need to describe the senator’s Afghanistan strategy, spelling out how it meshes with his Iraq plan.

Of course, John McCain can’t do any of those things because he hasn’t a fucking clue. Like George W. Bush, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are mere props for a presidential power grab. It’s window dressing; hell, it’s barely real. It’s all just backdrop for the photo op.

But have no fear: Rupert Murdoch to the rescue! Murdoch’s NY Post had no problems publishing McCain’s “error-filled” op-ed. It seems to me the New York Times was doing John McCain a favor by not giving him an opportunity to embarrass himself.

Guess that’s what happens when you have no editorial standards.

Meanwhile, only "friendly" reporters who throw softballs will be allowed in the interview area on McCain's new "Straight Talk Express" campaign airplane. That ought to teach uppity journalists a lesson.