The way Obama and McCain deal with the press

[jetsetter]

The way Obama and McCain deal with the press is something that most it seems do not take into consideration when looking at the two candidates. Obama deals with the press in the traditional politician fashion. He keeps them at arms length and when he does speak it is usually rehearsed. You don't much much improvisation from Obama and you don't get much conversion from him with normal people. The press had been hounding him for more personal quotes but they come up empty. This is the traditional politician approach. It's basically covering your ass.

McCain's way of dealing with the press is somewhat different than what politicians of the past have done and his campaign staff has been worried at times. You see McCain keeps press around him all of the time. He does not keep them at arms length and it is quite easy for a reporter to gain access to him and get some personal quotes. He does many more of those talks with reporters and ordinary people when his is traveling on his bus or in restaurants or holding town hall meetings. Unlike Obama he does practice improvisation and because he is much more willing to talk to the press and have press around him his slips are caught in more abundance than with Obama, who talks much less and rehearses most of what he says and keeps the press away.

These two ways of dealing with the press are evident in current opinion. Obama goes for the safer broad messages that are somewhat vague in the details and McCain speaks his mind and is more to the points.

You all may wonder why I am bringing this up now.......while listening to NPR today they brought political commentators in and tried to explain the differences in press coverage between the two candidates.

You can listen to this segment here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...oryId=92829531

[jayhawk]

Don't forget that the American media is so in love with Obama they do not point the STUPID ASS statements he made in the Middle East this week. The way they treat him, you would think he walks on water. Hell, the way he thinks of HIMSELF you would think he was going to stroll out to the Dead Sea to tap dance on it.

Shameful. I thought journalists were supposed to objective in their coverage.
For the rest of world, do you now see how extremely biased the American media is, and that they are, for all intents and purposes, the propaganda machine for the political left? Think about that the next time you watch CNN, CNBC, etc.

The death of Tim Russert was the absolute end of objectivity in the American Media.

[jetsetter]

There have been times where Obama has been forced to come up with an answer on the spot and during those times he looses that polish that he has shown at reading prepared speeches. But since he doesn't put himself in the position to answer questions on the spot all that often that uneasiness doesn't show.

[phuckingduck]

Originally Posted by jayhawk

Don't forget that the American media is so in love with Obama they do not point the STUPID ASS statements he made in the Middle East this week. The way they treat him, you would think he walks on water. Hell, the way he thinks of HIMSELF you would think he was going to stroll out to the Dead Sea to tap dance on it.

Come on Jay, you know McCain has made some dumb ass comments himself the past few weeks and the MSM has let him slip as well. The Iraq-Pakistan border? Either that's some TS Elliot quality foreshadowing, or someone doesn't know their geography. The Surge leading to the Sunni Awakening despite the Sunni Awakening occurring before the surge was even mentioned... If we want fair, lets call for fair all around.

And on that point, McCain had scheduled one, count it, one press conference this week. This has since been canceled. Many in the press that served on previous McCain campaigns feel that he has become distant and has become just another politician who hides behind his press handlers. Have you seen the video where his press secretary grills a reporter before an interview with the Senator about his camera angle? Yeah, that's nice and friendly.

And on the whole "boo-hoo the press is in Europe with Obama" note (Not that it was a specific point of this thread, but I feel it's relevant). Can anyone honestly say that if they were a news director they wouldn't rather cover the story about the candidate in Europe than the candidate in Maine? I love Maine, had a wonderful vacation there when I was young, but come on. One story provides an opportunity to do somewhat artistic articles and news pieces rather than just doing more process stories from the campaign trail. You know you'd choose to cover the Europe story. Besides, it's just a one week news cycle. If the McCain camp was somewhat competent they'd be spinning this as Obama only performing the tasks that McCain has been doing for years as an elder statesman. Instead, they put out fake press passes with some whiney ass French on one side.

/in other news, FF3 spell check corrects 'dumbass' into the proper 'dumb ass'

[jetsetter]

Can anyone honestly say that if they were a news director they wouldn't rather cover the story about the candidate in Europe than the candidate in Maine?

McCain has gone to Europe many more times than Obama, he has attended several conferences in France for example.

So McCain made a slight flub, so what? I suggest listening to the link I posted for an explanation. The political commentators don't consider the mistake a lack of knowledge but just a small speech error.

I would also like to put out the fact that McCain has been campaigning significantly harder than Obama. He has been traveling thousands of miles across the U.S. and has given hundreds of town hall style meetings. As of now he has had very little rest.

[phuckingduck]

Originally Posted by jetsetter

McCain has gone to Europe many more times than Obama, he has attended several conferences in France for example.

So McCain made a slight flub, so what? I suggest listening to the link I posted for an explanation. The political commentators don't consider the mistake a lack of knowledge but just a small speech error.

I would also like to put out the fact that McCain has been campaign significantly harder than Obama. He has been traveling thousands of miles across the U.S. and has given hundreds of town hall style meetings. As of now he has had very little rest.

That would be fine if he wasn't referring to Czechoslovakia last week. I could care less what a polticial commentator says about this just as much as I could care less what they think of social security. As a voter, I am concerned by McCain's age. And the inability to remember fairly basic, but significant, information is a bit discouraging. I've seen old people get dragged down by CRS, and it's sad when that person is your neighbor or grandparent. It's scary when it's the man behind the Resolute.

Like I said, McCain is the senior statesmen. He's got more experience on foreign issues in his left nut than Obama does in his whole body. But he's not making the trip right now, when it matters. It's a story. It's a bigger story than McCain in Maine. It's a bigger story than McCain cancelling a photo op on an oil rig due to weather concerns after saying for weeks that oil rigs are safe in hurricanes. It's just a bigger story. McCain could pull a rabbit out his ass, and while impressive as that may be, it's not as big of a story. You can wax poetic about a charismatic presidential candidate speaking to the European pulpit, you just can't do that about anything McCain is doing right now.

I'll listen to your posted audio later tonight when I have a chance, that's on the plate with reading through that mass about Al Gore down lower in the politics section.

[BlaRo]

Originally Posted by jayhawk

Don't forget that the American media is so in love with Obama they do not point the STUPID ASS statements he made in the Middle East this week. The way they treat him, you would think he walks on water. Hell, the way he thinks of HIMSELF you would think he was going to stroll out to the Dead Sea to tap dance on it.

Shameful. I thought journalists were supposed to objective in their coverage.
For the rest of world, do you now see how extremely biased the American media is, and that they are, for all intents and purposes, the propaganda machine for the political left? Think about that the next time you watch CNN, CNBC, etc.

The death of Tim Russert was the absolute end of objectivity in the American Media.

Eight years later... does McCain still hate "the gooks"?

Oh, and...

+ YouTube Video

[jetsetter]

You all do realize that Obama has flubbed his more informal speeches right? With McCain everyone tries to blame it on age, with Obama the flubs seem to magically disappear.

And I again mention the fact that McCain has been campaigning significantly harder than Obama for a longer period of time. The people who have significant experience watching and listening to political speakers don't blame the flubs on age or a lack of knowledge. These types of mistakes have been made by almost all political figures over the years.

[idk]

I'm also wondering why the german press has such an positive attitude towards Obama... I really tried hard, but i can not find a reason.

From the first day I've ever heard of him (which is not too long ago... just about when the hype about the primaries first started) they presented him like "the new hope of America" But WHY??? McCain is hardly mentioned and if he is... just in a closing sentence like: "His rival McCain disagrees with Obama"

To be honest... i don't care about domestic US policies but I've never head a clear statement what Obama is good for and also McCain.

This afternoon Obama will give a speech in Berlin... it has been in the local media for weeks now. But since when is US election campaign done on German soil?
I really appreciate that we don't have such an absurd way of nominee a candidate for any political position so what is that all about?

Can you Americans imagine that any candidate of any other country comes to Washington and give a speech on a historic site and expect thousands of people to come although nobody doesn't really know anything about what it is about???

And the newspapers are full of it... PAGES!!!???

PS: I'm not saying im pro Obama or pro McCain... i really have no idea because i haven't been objectively informed... and I'm too lazy to search for hours and find out for myself...

[jetsetter]

They think that Obama is like them politically, when reality hits they will be sorely disappointed.

[Firecat]

I'm not in the mood to share all my opinions on the topic, but I will agree that McCain has campaigned harder...and this is evident in the numerous town hall meetings he has done. I wouldn't necessarily say that he has campaigned smarter though. One last note, he has to campaign harder because the momentum is with Obama. And it seems that these McCain slips are the only thing that will get him coverage. It may be out of desperation at this point.

[phuckingduck]

Originally Posted by jetsetter

They think that Obama is like them politically, when reality hits they will be sorely disappointed.

I agree with you. Europeans are set to experience a helluva shock if Obama wins.

Originally Posted by Firecat

I'm not in the mood to share all my opinions on the topic, but I will agree that McCain has campaigned harder...and this is evident in the numerous town hall meetings he has done. I wouldn't necessarily say that he has campaigned smarter though. One last note, he has to campaign harder because the momentum is with Obama. And it seems that these McCain slips are the only thing that will get him coverage. It may be out of desperation at this point.

Bingo.

[argatoga]

Obama is a fake. He is shallow, and runs away from any instance where he can demonstrate any leadership or political stance. I get the feeling he wants to be president just for the title, not to actually accomplish anything.

McCain isn't great either, especially considering his ignorance on economic matters and reliance on his good friend Phil Gramm (even if he won't have an appointment he will still be asked for advice). But at least McCain has a record that shows what he believes in, unlike Obama who flees any chance to stand for something.

And no I don't plan on voting for either.

[Lambos r4ever]

Funny clip from the daily show:
http://www.indecision2008.com/video/...videoId=177059

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally Posted by Lambos r4ever

Funny clip from the daily show:
http://www.indecision2008.com/video/...videoId=177059

Says the video is unavailable, does it require an American IP?

[Lambos r4ever]

Originally Posted by BerserkerCatSplat

Says the video is unavailable, does it require an American IP?

Hmm maybe, try this though:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/in...-three-pointer

or this:
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/ju...ter/4049672062

[cvrefugee]

57 states!