I recommend this story for two reasons: (1) it is a critique of mainstream media (and its coverage of McCain) by alternative media, which is a huge theme underpinning this election season (e.g., bloggers breaking big stories first), and (2) it attempts to look at McCain's temper, which could become his biggest campaign issue, from a balanced perspective. The article quotes many in McCain's camp, and their quotations are fascinating, as they seem to state pretty clearly that they know their candidate has to keep his cool or he'll lose the election. At the same time, it quotes a McCain "friend" (anonymous source) who provides insight into McCain's state of mind. I am so skeptical of anonymous "friend" sources -- it seems too ... More »

McCain has lived by the media, can die by the media, and knows it. The 'historic' nature of Obama's candidacy is way too tempting for the mainstream media at this point in the campaign and McCain and staff evidence real frustration. They seek to regain the initiative by aggressive attacks on Obama's experience and judgement but have not yet gained traction. The reporting from within McCain's inner circle is extensive and signals their intent to provoke Obama, a tactic that has not worked to date. But the night is young.

McCain has been coddled by the main stream press for quite a long time, due simply to his providing the access and entertainment. Well, the gravy train is over and he's not one bit happy about it. Go figure. It needs to be said and the article says it in a fair manner.

This blog post speaks to the McCain's' camp recent comments that critical press coverage is 'smear jobs' and 'scurrilous attacks' Odd then that only last week in a Newsweek interview in Florida McCain said "I'm not in the business of commenting on the press and their coverage" This is a good analysis of the perils of getting what you wished for. The article rightly points out that McCain sought attention, and his campaign was annoyed with the press coverage that was given to the Clinton-Obama duel. Now that attention has focussed not only on McCain's record, but his recent inconsistencies, and perhaps unexpectedly and most annoyingly to him, his temperament and attitude to questions from his former 'base', the press and public ... More »

Not too bad, but it could definitely have been improved upon by an objective analysis of whether or not McSame's accusations--that he is being mistreated by "the media"--have substance. The fact of the matter is that, with the exception of the blogosphere, McSame has gotten a largely free ride in the media; he has not been challenged on his many flip-flops or the absurdity of his "straight-talk" image, which both are very easy to rebut. Politico sometimes shows disturbingly rightist tendencies, and this article is weak, but worth reading.

I really liked this story and it shows exactly how Republicans can dish it out but cannot take any criticism at all. It also shows how the media is quick to back down when they publish stories about this pathetic man. The New York Times story about McCain committing adultery with a female lobbyist is a perfect example. Whatever happened to that woman? Did they kill her, ha ha. Sorry, not funny. I lived in Arizona before McCain came bopping along and he is a nasty man and would bet he blows sky high when he starts debating Obama. He can't help himself, plus I do believe he is suffering from early senile dementia. To a small degree so far.

The article totally ignores the fact that, throughout the primary campaign, and indeed, throughout McCain's entire political career, he has been given a free ride by the mainstream media. The only problem with the critical press he has now received is that it is years late. The notion that the media has been more deferential to Obama than too McCain is a joke. While the media has only now begun to raise legitimate questions about McCain's dubious record and even more dubious claim to be an independent "maverick," Obama has been plagued with mountains of publicity about things like whether or not he wears a flag pin and what people who preach from the pulpit of his church have said, whether or not he was there to hear it. ... More »

Decent story. Barely acknowledges longstanding MSM favoritism toward McCain. This article reports McCain may lose his "clean" image by going too negative.

This is a well sourced piece (plenty of quotes and event sighting) but seems plenty of opinion interjected as well. What I like most is that even as it explains that the media has only covered John McCain and his record as it truly is, it points continuously to his bad behavior.

It's appropriately revealing....but allows the reader to make a judgment based upon the reporting. As a contrast, the TV pundits would simply make the assertion of imbalanced coverage, and then emphasis their opinions without thoughtful and balanced debate. ...thus not giving the viewer the same opportunity. This article represents an antidote to that type of coverage.....and exposes the ludicrous nature of McCain's charges of unfair press coverage (and the emptiness of his promise for supposedly civil and non-personal discourse.)

Very fact based article with no 'between the lines' ax-to-grind commentary. It pretty much tells the reader in dry terms, what the perceptions within the McCain camp are regarding their treatment. It would have helped the article to juxtapose the Obama camps perceptions of their treatment by the media in a lot more detail.

This is an interesting look at the McCain campaign strategy. The tone is neutral enough that the reader does not have a sense of the author leaning any direction.