Feeds: 
symbol identifies content for paid subscribers only.
THE MCCAIN PRESS OFFICE AT THE AP.
Instead of developing talking points to defend their stilted coverage, the AP might want to stop reprinting McCain campaign press releases as wire copy. While other papers were doing actual reporting on the complete lack of a vetting process in the selection of Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate, Liz "Donuts" Sidoti was reprinting campaign spin about how thorough the process was.
Today, the AP reprises its role as stenographers for the McCain campaign:
Who are these "many liberals?" it's difficult to know, because not a single liberal is quoted in the piece as making this argument. It's called "attribution". If you're going to make a claim someone said something, then you should have a source. In this case, the source is the McCain campaign blaming the media for its failure to do due diligence on its own Vice Presidential nominee.Many liberals are belittling the choice, suggesting that as a mother of five children -- including an infant with Down syndrome -- she has neither the time nor the experience to become vice president.
Since Republicans make no distinctions between the mainstream media and "liberals" there's no dissonance there. But unless the AP considers themselves an official arm of the Republican Party, then they shouldn't be stating opinions as fact without attribution.
In response, MoveOn is asking it's members to write the Associated Press and demand unbiased coverage. Personally, I'm not a big believer in "objectivity," but independence is a vital concern in journalism. The above article is an example of the kind of journalism that makes the reader question who the reporter is actually working for.
--A. Serwer
COMMENTS (8)
The only person I've seen comment on Palin's need to spend time with her newborn is Dr. Laura Schlessinger at her blog and I'd hardly call her a liberal.
Posted by: JenK | September 3, 2008 2:51 PM
We need more serious reporting. Gov. Palin runs the largest state in the Union with the largest Oil reserves and the largest shared border with a rival (Russia) and a friendly (Canada) country. It is worth asking the news services to create an in-depth report on the challenge in running such a state.
Posted by: joe | September 3, 2008 5:42 PM
Who are these "many liberals?"
It's that most famous one of all, Some Random Anonymous Commenter on a Liberal Blog. Haven't you ever heard of him/her?
Posted by: Mnemosyne | September 3, 2008 6:10 PM
I'd say governing is more about people than acres, by which measure Alaska is #47. And what, pray tell, border does it share with Russia? There's an ocean (sea) there: By that measure, my state shares a border with Japan.
The main challenge in running Alaska is how to distribute the oil revenues to the citizens. It has none of the problems seen in other states in terms of taxation, or urban issues. In fact, when she was mayor, she took a town from balanced budget to deficits, despite having raised taxes, and collecting earmarks that McCain had called unnecessary pork.
So I'd have to say the reporting is appropriate. As long as McCain touts her as a fiscal conservative, and as long as his campaign trots out her family, I'd have to say it's fair to ask questions.
Posted by: Sidney Schwab | September 3, 2008 6:38 PM
My 82 year old mother says that Palin needs to stay home and take care of her family issues. But my mother is not a liberal nor does she blog so I don't think she is the source AP is quoting.
Posted by: arkie | September 3, 2008 7:25 PM
Joe, the task of Alaska co-exiting with Russia is so daunting that the Alaska legislature is in session 3 months a year. The rest of the time the Governor seems be off killing Polar Bears and making babies. Yup, yup she is a foreign relations guru.
Posted by: Bob Currie | September 3, 2008 7:59 PM
I'm not a big believer in "objectivity,"
Or fairness. You should always add in that you're not a big believer in fairness.
Posted by: anon | September 3, 2008 8:26 PM
1. ONLY THE NAIVE WILL BELIEVE THAT EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNTS OF MONEY POURING INTO THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN ARE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ORDINARY VOTERS. THAT KIND OIF MONEY CAN ONLY COME FROM ORGANIZED GROUPS.
2. SO MCCAIN'S FINAL WEEK BATTLE CRY SHOULD BE:
"THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN WANTS AMERICANS TO BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE THEY ARE AWASH WITH MONEY, THERE IS NO WAY I CAN WIN. WELL LET ME TELL YOU, FELLOW AMERICANS:
THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS NOT FOR SALE.
IT NEVER HAS BEEN AND NEVER WILL BE.
AND I AM NOT FOR SALE."
BUILD ON THAT BATTLE CRY. IT WILL CHANGE THE MOMENTUM IN MCCAIN'S FAVOR. HAPP ON THE AMERICAN'S SENSE OF PRIDE IN SELF AND IN COUNTRY. UNCONTROLLED ELECTION SPENDING IS WHAT WILL DESTROY AMERICANS AND AMERICA.
3. COL.LIN POWELL'S ENDORSEMENT IS NOT ALL THAT CRITICAL. IN FACT, AGAINST A LINEUP OF KISSINGER, HAIG, ET AL, POWELL'S PRESTIGE QUICKLY FADES. EMPHASIZE HOW FIVE OF THE COUNTRY'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL ADVISERS ARE 100% BEHIND MCCAIN. THAT IS 5 VS. 1.
4. FOR THE LAST 7 DAYS OF THE CAMPAIGN, FOCUS ADVERTISING AND CAMPAIGN SPEECHES ON THE ABOVE 2 POINTS. MAKE "AMERICAN PRIDE" THE FOCAL POINT OF THE LAST WEEK'S CAMPAIGN.
5. SWING THIS CAMPAIGN AROUND:
AMERICA IS FOR AMERICANS - AMERICANS ARE FOR AMERICA.
6. GOOD LUCK.
GABY V. MANALAC (PHILIPPINES)
gabyvmanalac@gmail.com
Posted by: gaby v. manalac | October 20, 2008 7:41 PM