Obama's world tour: Is the media coverage fair? - Politics, anyone? - politicsanyone's Blog - Bakersfield.com

Jul 21, 2008 at 09:07 AM : The media is...

The media is too embarrassed for McCain to cover him much anymore. Every day brings about a new gaffe.

The self-professed "foreign policy expert" believes Iraq shares a border with Pakistan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fuz1vrdfR1M

Jul 21, 2008 at 09:07 AM : Admittedly, the...

Admittedly, the "border" is close to a thousand miles wide...some folks draw thicker lines than others...

Jul 21, 2008 at 10:07 AM : McCain Owns First...

McCain Owns First Foreign Policy Gaffe During Obama's Iraq Trip

As Barack Obama began his trip to the Middle East and Europe, the media was already speculating about the possibility of a gaffe. Obama's travel "carries political risk," the New York Times reported, "particularly if Mr. Obama makes a mistake."

But the only foreign policy error made in the last few days came this morning on ABC's Good Morning America, when John McCain made ANOTHER geography gaffe while trying to criticize Obama's visit to Iraq. (Just last week, McCain repeatedly referred to Czechoslovakia, a country that hasn't existed since 1993.)

Asked by Diane Sawyer whether the "the situation in Afghanistan in precarious and urgent," McCain responded: "I think it's serious. . . . It's a serious situation, but there's a lot of things we need to do. We have a lot of work to do and I'm afraid it's a very hard struggle, particularly given the situation on the Iraq/Pakistan border."

But as ABC's Rick Klein noted: "Iraq and Pakistan do not share a border. Afghanistan and Pakistan do."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/21/mccain-owns-first-foreign_n_114013.html

Jul 21, 2008 at 11:07 AM : Biggest problem is...

Biggest problem is finding an objective news source that reports news. My observation would put BBC near the top of the list, even though I don't watch it as much as I'd like to. Discussion of issues I'd give to Meet The Press, even though Tim Russert's standards and legacy are a challenge to the best of journalists. Today and Good Morning America are degenerating to talk shows.

Jul 21, 2008 at 11:07 AM : Try and recall, folks,...

Try and recall, folks, that one of the early criticisms from the McCain camp was that Obama's lack of stamps on his passport was indicative of his lack of foreign policy experience.

So now that he's take the tour of Europe and the Middle East, and drawing throngs of people, what will McCain say now?

Well, what CAN he say. He hasn't been President, so his level of foreign policy experience is hardly a trump card. Remember. It was Europe that did all the shouting when they heard the United State rattling swords to go into Iraq. There's little wonder that Obama is getting such positive attention when upwards of 70% of the people in THIS country, and even higher percentages in Europe and the Middle East want the USA OUT of Iraq. That's what has made the difference in media coverage and not some abitrary claim of media giving preferential treatment or lacking "objectivity."

Jul 21, 2008 at 11:07 AM : The one thing...

The one thing Democrats don't want is a revival of the Fairness Doctrine. In that event, equal time would need to be given to McCain. They can't have that!

Jul 21, 2008 at 11:07 AM : Agree with husband....

Agree with husband. Recent ABC News poll--whatever it's worth--favored Obama over McCain to improve the image of the US in overwhelming percentages. I don't understand how McCain's military service qualifies him to be better suited for Commander in Chief. I'm a combat vet; does that qualify me?

Gov. Arnold did comment of the usual charges of "flip-flopping." Someone reexamines his opinion, studies a situation or issue and is open minded and flexible enough to alter or change his position.

As to what views are "really" exchanged during Obama's curtesy calls, we may never know regardless of news coverage.

Jul 21, 2008 at 12:07 PM : Try CNN international...

Try CNN international or BBC world, couldn`t get them on my cable when I`m in B Village but they are about as unbiased as they come, just the facts maam, but they reflect the ongoing of feelings of the world and you could say it`s realist UN-American as it should be.

Jul 21, 2008 at 12:07 PM : I just read the...

I just read the Californian's article on Obama's trip and there is NOT ONE mention of Republican Chuck Hagel accompanying him.

There's your media bias.

Jul 21, 2008 at 12:07 PM : The one thing...

The one thing Democrats don't want is a revival of the Fairness Doctrine

So that's why the Democrats introduced legislation to revive the Fairness Doctrine.

It's the Republicans who are blocking bringing back the doctrine.

Jul 21, 2008 at 12:07 PM : Alicen: "The one...

Alicen: "The one thing Democrats don't want is a revival of the Fairness Doctrine. In that event, equal time would need to be given to McCain. They can't have that!"

Actually, the Fairness Doctrine wouldn't cover news items like Obama's trip. Only partisan political "speech". The reason it is being blocked (by right-wing Republicans) is because Faux "News" wouldn't be able to survive (nor would most of right-wing talk radio). They would have to give equal time to different (i.e. opposing) voices, because each of their "commentators" wouldn't be able to ply their trade as reporters, since reporters are supposed to be non-partisan (under FD).

Jul 21, 2008 at 01:07 PM : Catpaw wrote:...

Catpaw wrote: ..."even though Tim Russert's standards and legacy are a challenge to the best of journalists."

I'm sorry, I can't stop laughing. I'm sorry for his family, and he died too young, but Russert was a joke as a "journalist." He was anything but. Professionally, the best thing you could say for him was that he wasn't Chris Matthews, who was and is an entire standup routine.