As the Presidential election grinds along, candidates periodically whine almost their media coverage. The truth of the matter, however, is that--for the most part--the Presidential hopefuls larn a gratis ride on their questionable views.
Consider: Clinton in addition to Obama tin suggest amongst conduct faces (and an unquestioning media) that the United States of America of America government--yes, the same authorities that brought us emergency administration inwards New Orleans in addition to escalating budget deficits--will effectively in addition to efficiently deal our wellness attention system. McCain intones that the American business of Iraq--yes, the i that started equally a liberation in addition to instantly dangerously overstretches the military--should morph into ongoing, de facto colonization. Credulous reporters larn their quotes correct in addition to transcend along his prescriptions.
No, it's pretty hard to heighten media ire amongst matters of policy. Let at that topographic point locomote an number of character, however, in addition to the media pwnage is palpable. The most recent example inwards betoken was Clinton's portrayal of herself nether burn downwards on the Bosnia tarmac. It wasn't merely that she was lying; at that betoken she was a poser. You know the kind: the ones who demo upwards amongst their Hot Topic t-shirts du jour in addition to all of a abrupt decease alt-rockers, goths, metalheads, what pick out you. Liars tin locomote engaging; posers are merely annoying. And the media doesn't endure annoying fools gladly.
That's why reporters turned on McCain when he all of a abrupt courted the religious correct in addition to embraced the once-reviled Bush revenue enhancement cuts. This wasn't the maverick everyone loved; it was a conservative poser--and the conservatives knew it most of all.
Bush the draft avoider lands his aircraft on a destroyer in addition to declares "mission accomplished"? Poser. Romney the Massachusetts moderate discovers the evils of immigration? Spitzer the righteous solicits services from the human traffickers he prosecutes? Posers all; convey on the media feeding frenzy.
So peradventure it's a sign of the topsy-turvy times that Obama's recent fortunes hinge on the wishing that the American world volition truly encounter him equally a poser inwards the Wright church: a likable unifier who alone sat inwards the pews to laid upwards his street cred amongst Chicago constituents. The possibility that it's non a pose--that it's utilization of a larger, consistent designing of sincere disaffection amongst the country--well, that is worse than annoying. Love of country, similar dearest of a spouse, loses to a greater extent than than credibility when framed equally incessant calls for change.
Will nosotros elect a poser? Will nosotros elect mortal nosotros desperately promise is a poser? Only inwards an surroundings where such questions are possible could the Republican who solicited partnership amongst John Kerry, thence the endorsement of George Bush, ride the "straight utter express" to his party's nomination.
There's no lack of hope--or audacity--in election 2008.
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