All Obama, all the time

Posted By Blake Hounshell Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 12:54 PM Share

Jarod Perkioniemi/Multi-National Forces Iraq Public Affairs via Getty Images Lorie Jewell/U.S. Army via Getty Images Wathiq Khuzaie/Getty Images Thaier al-Sudani-Pool/Getty Images. Collage by Blaine Sheldon

John McCain is having trouble attracting media attention for his New Hampshire tour:

In Manchester last night, there was just one reporter and one photographer waiting for McCain as his plane -- a white, blue and gold Boeing 737-400 emblazoned with his campaign slogan, "Reform, Prosperity, Peace" -- touched down on the Wiggins Airways tarmac.

Also worth noting: Getty Images hasn't posted a photograph of the Arizona senator since Sunday. During that time, Getty has posted roughly 40 photos of Obama, depending on how you count.

EXPLORE:DECISION '08, MEDIA
 

CIGRAINGER

12:33 PM ET

July 22, 2008

You seem really concerned

You seem really concerned about this.. And by repeatedly posting what is in effect the same thing, I can't even escape the 24 hour media obsession on the FP blog. Which is bigger news, McCain goes around New Hampshire or Obama goes around the world?

McCain should be thankful he doesn't get this kind of media scrutiny, or his repeated conflation of Iran and al-Qaeda (like in his supposedly rejected op-ed piece) in Iraq and countless other 'misspeaking' slip-ups will add to the evidence that he has no clue about world affairs and would scarily bring that assertive ignorance into the White House in the Bush mould.
 

JGARZIK

3:09 PM ET

July 22, 2008

Conflation?

Clearly, Obama's foreign trip is far more newsworthy and "news-ful". So you are right that comparisons about press coverage are essentially comparing apples and oranges.

However, McCain is not mis-speaking or conflating, when describing both al Qaeda and Iran as notable sources of extremists (and weapons) in Iraq.

In his rebuttal famously rejected by the NYT, McCain's one reference to al Qaeda and Iran are in the same sentence:

The danger is that extremists supported by Al Qaeda and Iran could stage a comeback, as they have in the past when we’ve had too few troops in Iraq.

That is a reasonable guess given previous and on-going events. McCain probably should have included "Shiite extremists" in that list, but that would be unfriendly to Iraqi politics.

The point remains: there is no mis-speaking or conflation when suggesting that al Qaeda and Iran remain clear and present dangers to Iraq's stability and security.

 

CIGRAINGER

3:45 PM ET

July 22, 2008

I'd agree with you if that

I'd agree with you if that op-ed was the only source for my comment.

Youtube

This has happened before. Maybe he needs talking points? In any case, it's clear that the man himself has no idea.
 

CIGRAINGER

3:48 PM ET

July 22, 2008

And to clarify, the point

And to clarify, the point I'm making is that in his head, they are conflated. He seems to think they are all the same, kind of like Dubya with his 'Axis of Evil' concept. It is exactly this kind of heavy-handedness and lack of nuanced understanding that keeps our intelligence services and military from effectively battling violent extremist elements.
 

JGARZIK

5:23 PM ET

July 22, 2008

Re: I'd agree with you if that

I grant you that video has received tons of airtime and hits.

But help me out... where is the evidence of repeated conflation and countless other 'misspeaking' slip-ups on this specific issue?

And do you agree his op-ed piece was not an example of this conflation?

...

For the record, this Libertarian thinks both McCain and Obama are embarrassing gaffe machines, but I have not seen evidence of repeated confusion of alQaeda/Iran on McCain's part. (and hey, in this grand media world, it is easily possible I am just missing some links)

Regards,

Jeff
Armchair FP

 

KIDZIB

5:14 PM ET

July 22, 2008

hmmmm

what is more newsworthy? obama meeting with the prime minister of iraq or john mccain visiting a museum in new hampshire? hmmmmm...
 

KHALID

5:23 PM ET

July 22, 2008

It's McCain's own fault...

If John McCain wants media attention, he should put himself in a position to gain it. His campaign hasn't been good about attracting media attention, and he isn't exactly an exciting figure himself. I mean, people are salivating over Obama in Europe, and he's going to go visit them. McCain doesn't attract that kind of attention, and if he did his campaign probably wouldn't capitalize on it. He's making a lot of the mistakes Giuliani did, tucking himself away while every one else gets in the spot light. You've got to compete for media attention, it doesn't just come.
 

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