"Any week the focus is on national security and Iraq is probably a good week for McCain."

[jenmito]

Chris Cillizza just said that (as do many media people every day). But WHY? I'll tell you why-because he's portrayed as a "straight-talking war hero" and they NEVER point out that he:

1. Confused Shia and Sunni about 3 times

2. Voted against Veterans' rights many times

3. Jokes about bombing Iran and killing Iranians with cigarettes

4. Lied to a Veteran's face during a town hall meeting about his voting record

5. Told two different versions of what he told his captors in Vietnam depending on whom he was talking to

6. Flip-flopped on torture

7. Flip-flopped on how long troops should stay in Iraq

[ingac70]

1. He obviously still clings to the belief...

that this war is popular. It hasn't been popular since it was revealed to be based on a pack of lies, and nothing will reverse that.

[jenmito]

2. Yes, but my point is that the media TELLS people that McCain is "strong" on terrorism and Iraq

and they go on to laud his service (and torture) and ignore or hide all of his mistakes and lies about his supposed strong suit.

[karynnj]

12. That is completely right

Consider that Scheiffer (journalist, Texas) asked Kerry about whether it was just his opinion that changed or McCain (not worded like that - but that was what it was.) Kerry then went into a list of huge changes McCain made in the last about 5 years. Scheiffer in a shocked voice then asked if he was questioning McCain's integrity. (Kerry's 3 word retort was great - "no, his judgment" doesn't give them a usable quote to Youtube - expanding it gets either of two lists that McCain didn't want out there.

(It still led to snarky articles - but anything would have other than Kerry answering that McCain has always been consistent - which implies that Kerry was just political not backing McCain.)

[jenmito]

13. I saw that...

Schieffer sounded as shocked with Kerry's answer as he was about Wes Clark's answer a couple weeks ago. I WISH someone would point out McCain's LIES and voting record against the troops! But it seems taboo.

[karynnj]

15. If anyone will - it will likely be Kerry or Clark

It might be easier for Kerry because he is a Senator. (McCain also co-sponsored lots of veteran stuff with Kerry years ago - now McCain votes against it. That might be part of why Kerry said that the new McCain surprises him. I think the lesson here is that they have to do it - but do it very carefully and it is risky (more for Kerry who is running for Senate). The media will try to whip it into a feeding frenzy if they have any way to spin it.

[BuyingThyme]

3. But he will settle for nothing less than VICTORY!!!!

[jenmito]

4. Yeah...and the media goes right along with that.

[ErinBerin84]

5. I'm not convinced that Chris Cillizza and Ryan Lizza from the NYer are different people

Ryan Lizza used to wear glasses on his tv appearences, and I would always be reminded of Chris Cillizza from the Washington Post, even though the only ways they really look alike are the dark hair and glasses.

[jenmito]

7. I had that same thought...

The similarities in their last names help, too. :)

[ErinBerin84]

9. when I (sadly) noticed that Ryan Lizza stopped wearing glasses, I immediately thought

"Oh, he's trying to separate himself from Chris Cillizza!" Though, I HAVE never seen them on opposite "squares" on MSNBC. Hmmmm..... :)

[jenmito]

11. I'll keep an eye on every show to see if they EVER appear together.

It's possible you're right. :)

[Overseas]

6. I hate that assumption too -- because it is so false

But it is easier for the lazy pundits than listening to Obama and having to report on all the sensible things he is saying about national security.

[jenmito]

8. Exactly. n/t

[Egnever]

10. I think they say that to try to avoid talking security

Cause god knows every time they do he shows his ass on the one point he is supposed to be strong on.

[VADem11]

14. He can't be trusted on national security

Today, he referred to Czechoslovakia while talking about Russia. The problem is that Czechoslovakia hasn't existed for 15 years. If he did it once, I could understand but this is a pattern from McCain. His supposed foreign policy and national security experience is all just a myth.

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/mccain_again_refers_to_czechos.php

[jenmito]

16. Maybe he keeps making the mistake because nobody ever calls him on it-

you never hear it in the MEDIA. But even I know there's no "Czechoslovakia" anymore!

[Major Hogwash]

17. There was a story this weekend from Pakistan that said that the Bush administration is not pursuing

Osama bin Laden.

But, that story didn't get any air time.

[Major Hogwash]

18. One other thing, jen. How come McCain hasn't named his veep yet? What is taking him so long?

If McCain is so damned smart, then why hasn't he named his veep yet?

Carly Fiorino was on Meet the Press yesterday and she tanked, so I think she has shot any chance she ever had of being McCain's veep.

[jenmito]

19. I heard on the news that he's waiting 'til right after the DNC's convention to step on any

bounce Obama will get.

ETA-Fiorina is a liar. If she IS his VP, he'll lose whatever base he has left as she's supposedly pro-choice.