Jackson Free Press

It's call-the-messenger-sexist time. After keeping embattled running mate Sarah Palin under wraps since Monday, and canceling a CNN interview due to Campbell Brown asking about Palin's foreign policy expertise, McCain campaign today blamed the media for pursuing questions about Palin's background and said that the criticism of her is sexist. Read more at Politico:

Faced with tough questions about Sarah Palin, John McCain's campaign and other Republicans are responding with a defensive crouch — lashing out at the media to deflect Palin from scrutiny and to rally a party base that has fallen hard for the conservative Alaska governor.

McCain aides, responding to questions about Palin's qualifications to be vice president as well as her family life — including her pregnant and unwed teenage daughter — have aggressively turned the tables on the media by questioning reporters' motives and suggesting a sexist double standard.

Throughout the party, at various venues throughout the Twin Cities, other Republicans have picked up the media-bashing banner, knowing instinctively that little else can better rally the spirits of their faithful than pitting the purportedly "liberal media" against their new shining star. [...]

uesday, the campaign ratcheted up the criticism, singling out New York Times reporter Elisabeth Bumiller for her reporting on whether McCain sufficiently vetted Palin.

"Ms. Bumiller, if you'd like to try reporting instead of writing fiction, here's a link to our press line," campaign blogger Michael Goldfarb wrote, snarkily offering a phone number to the campaign headquarters.

Of course, this could be why he's testy. The Washington Post is reporting that he and his aides lied about the vetting of Palin.

The word "sexist" sure is getting bastardized in the hands of the McCain folks. Pardon the expression.

Previous Commentsshow

I do wonder where all the conservative commentators like Fox's Joe Scarbrough (YouTube) who are worried about Palin becoming president should something happen to McCain fit into this "liberal media" line. BTW, McCain also canceled a Larry King interview. I guess he's going to punish the media for doing the vetting he didn't take time to do? And it's really cute to hear Republicans call their critics "good ole boys." Talk about Orwellian. What is really scary is that the radical right could start putting women in powerful positions so they can bash any media (including women) who dare to criticize them and question their qualifications. What a way to use women against women. And what an insult to all women to say that the media are not supposed to question a little woman who happens to be nominated to be vice president and very well may become president in the next four years. Lord help us through this renewed GOP attempt at starting the culture wars all over again -- and just when people were rejecting wedge issues and starting to coalesce. I don't think it will work, but it sure is frustrating to watch unfold. Talk about a year when we're forced to confront race and gender issues! That's the good part; we're talking about it.

DonnaLadd

Sep 3 2008

What's wacky is that McCain's camp just outright accused Elisabeth Bumiller of being a liar. If they can't prove it, she should sue them for questioning her professionally and trying to ruin her credibility as a reporter. And it's their burden to prove she lied. This is starting to feel very scorched earth. Make a huge veep mistake and then just try to take out anybody who dares question you on it.

DonnaLadd

Sep 3 2008

"I do wonder where all the conservative commentators like Fox's Joe Scarbrough..." Er, Scarbrough is a MSNBC anchor.

Jeff Lucas

Sep 3 2008

Oops, sorry. You can tell how much I watch cable news. (Don't have it, in fact.) He is conservative, though. ;-)

DonnaLadd

Sep 3 2008

He is. His MSNBC morning show replaced that racist idiot with the cowboy hat that they fired a few months ago. I don't watch cable news as much during the conventions. I prefer to watch C-SPAN so as not to have to listen to endless chatter by pundits and reporters about how I should react to what's being said.

Jeff Lucas

Sep 3 2008

Same here. I'm a C-Span gal.

DonnaLadd

Sep 3 2008

Whaat? Republicans trying to stymie, run from or evade the truth of their actions and inactions? I don't beleive it. They're not like that as far as the record shows. They have family values and Gawd on their side. They're the face of America! Nothing is wrong with failin' and derailin' Palin as a potential vice president of these United States of America. She's a good choice and has the looks many of us would like to know better! Vetting wasn't necessary. Some people can simply look at you and discern your goodness of fitness for a job. Huck and those other losing dudes don't have what Palen has. She can bring home the bacon and cook it too. I would pick her any day of the week over those other guys for everything except maybe picking up a log of wood for the fireplace. Why is the liberal media acting so immorally and ungodly by questioning the earthy righteousness of republicans? Gawd sent them to lead us so that those Democrats wouldn't give the country back to the Indians who once owned it and give a nickle to the Blacks who worked free of charge to help build it. The country is what it is because of the rich and republicans. You complainers who don't know what's good for you are gonna mess around and cause the republicans to lose full control of America. And just watch where that takes the country.

Walt

Sep 3 2008

Mumiller and Brown need to remember they're women and get with the team. Hell, these women are going to make it look like McCain and Palin aren't the right ones, baby! Please people, don't make the republicans look like they're full of crap on this one. You women rejectd Hillary in large numbers. The good and godly republicans offered you just the opposite in Palin and now you act like you don't want her either. Why do y'all hate other women? Women make up your minds, do you want a women to lead us or not? S$!*. What the *^#@! Come on now!

Walt

Sep 3 2008

On Scarbrough...he is one of the few Republicans I like these days. I might not vote for him, but he seems like someone I could tolerate having a beer with. He is not an MSNBC wingnut (like Lou dobbs...(The Mexicans are coming!...the Mexicans are coming!...one if by land, two if by the Rio Grande). I think you're right Walt. McCain probably took a page from GW's dealing with Putin and just peaked into her soul, hence their labeling her his "soul mate". I am afraid of these soul peekers. It sounds like something from the Omen.

FreeClif

Sep 3 2008

I would pick her any day of the week over those other guys for everything except maybe picking up a log of wood for the fireplace. She can hunts caribou, too.

golden eagle

Sep 3 2008