http://themoderatevoice.disqus.com/enMon, 04 Aug 2008 13:01:14 -0000http://themoderatevoice.com/at-tmv/21546/meeting-the-press/#comment-1092827<p>Tony C. said: "My advice: resolve this quickly and allow more access to McCain by the traveling press; after all, it is better to have a happy gaggle of press folks in the bus behind you, instead of 60 angry press people pointing their cameras and microphones in your direction…hoping you slip up."</p><p>I disagree completely. The media are no longer McCain's friends, and placed him on the wrong footing on a daily basis throughout June and most of July.</p><p>They will always be waiting for McCain to slip up . . . so why give them access to allow this?</p><p>Bush/Rove recognized the hositlity of the press corps to the candidate, and dealt with it brilliantly. If McCain tries to repeat the endless bull sessions of the "Straight Talk Express" EVERYTHING he says until November will be "on the record".</p><p>The temptation of a good "get" will be too much for a reporter to avoid.</p><p>McCain is thus in lockdown mode, much like fellow motor-mouth Kerry in 2004. Rove was able to penetrate the bubble to get the "I was for it before I was against it" line in one of the most brilliant tactical successes of that campaign.</p><p>McCain has to hope his "bubble" is more impenetrable than Kerry's.</p>MarlowecanMon, 04 Aug 2008 13:01:14 -0000