And finally — and perhaps most importantly — McCain will rely on free media to an unprecedented degree to get out his message in a fashion that aims to not only minimize his financial disadvantage but also drive a triangulated contrast among himself, the Democratic nominee and President Bush.
McCain advisers acknowledge they have little choice but to seek free entry into the media marketplace, as they have no chance of matching Barack Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton in a dollar-for-dollar ad war, given that the Arizona senator’s fundraising totals pale in comparison to both his prospective opponents and the Bush-Cheney political machine.
But aides also hope they can turn necessity into virtue and argue that by facing tough questions from reporters on his bus each day and potentially even tougher ones from audience members at frequent town hall meetings, McCain will demonstrate how he’s different from two politicians who are far less accessible.
Right. I can't imagine why he'd think that strategy would pay off. Maybe he should have a barbecue, invite some reporters over, treat them like pals. That might help, too.
Seriously, this whole story has this breathless, Blanche DuBois attitude about it, the whole "Ooh, he's such a brave, strong man, running such a scary, unorthodox campaign ... can he pull it off? Tune in tomorrow to find out!" soap opera feel. Couple that with the typical "McCain will rely on the media, of which I am in no way a part, even as I report on McCain" dodge, and you have like a perfect storm of the political press. Blech.
A.
One of the first blog-based books, the anthology Special Plans examines Feith's role in misleading America into war. Buy from 
may he flip out at some point. i am NOT GONNA STAY IF HE WINS DAMMIT!
Posted by: pansypoo | April 17, 2008 at 21:54
Obama is cool, McTaint is an anachronistic old ghoul. Who gives a shit if Candy Crowley and her colleagues lick doughnut crumbs off his ass on the bus while he whispers sweet repug talking nothings in their corpulent ears. Not anyone I know. Not anymore.
Posted by: Sid in Austin | April 17, 2008 at 22:25
Not one goddamn word about the lawsuit about his campaign financing?
http://firedoglake.com/2008/04/01/delivery-of-32000-cosignatures-to-fec-complaint-against-mccain-video/
Man, the press is licking McTaint, and won't even stop for air. How is it a virtue to keep breaking the law by taking public funding -- and taking advantage of a crippled FEC? That's the story -- he's looking for approval for continuing to break the law, and play Poor Little Rich Candidate.
Someone cut me a switch....
Posted by: cgeye | April 18, 2008 at 01:07
Our New National Anthem: ABC News Version
OH, GIVE ME A HOME
WHERE THE IMBECILES ROAM
AND GREED IS OUR FAVORITE DISEASE
JUST TURN OFF YOUR MIND
KISS THE PLANET GOODBYE
GET FETAL, AND WATCH ABC
Posted by: Mike Nobel | April 18, 2008 at 08:27
Our New National Anthem: ABC News Version
OH, GIVE ME A HOME
WHERE THE IMBECILES ROAM
AND GREED IS OUR FAVORITE DISEASE
JUST TURN OFF YOUR MIND
KISS THE PLANET GOODBYE
GET FETAL, AND WATCH ABC
Posted by: Mike Nobel | April 18, 2008 at 08:36
So -- when are they going to start the tough questions that they're going to ask him every day?
I haven't seen any evidence of that so far. What are they waiting for?
Posted by: Nora | April 18, 2008 at 08:48
If this means he's going to rely on the McCain Girls, it's going to be a very...long...campaign...
Posted by: BuggyQ | April 18, 2008 at 09:12
Congratulations, A. - you're quoted by Meteor Blades on the front page of dkos as "The acerbically wonderful Athenae over at First Draft...."
Permalink:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/4/18/01726/7719/249/498091
Posted by: LJer | April 18, 2008 at 10:08
oooh, acerbic.
Posted by: pansypoo | April 18, 2008 at 13:47
"Reading Sen. John McCain's, R-Ariz., personal tax returns, which the White House hopeful released today, you'd never know he's the Senate's eighth wealthiest member.
McCain's returns show he earned about $400,000 last year and gave a lot to charity. That's well above the poverty line -- but well below the $27 million to $45 million reflected in McCain's Senate financial disclosures.
The secret? The vast majority of the McCain family wealth comes from Cindy, McCain's second wife, who is heiress to a fortune built by her father, a beer distributor, whose firm she now chairs. Unlike the Obamas and Clintons, the McCains file their taxes separately -- and Cindy's returns are off-limits to the public, the campaign says."
Like I said.
Poor. Little. Rich. Candidate.
But McCain's Senate disclosures give a picture of Cindy's impressive wealth -- and that of their children -- and show that almost none of it is directly shared with McCain himself.
http://tinyurl.com/55wuny
Posted by: cgeye | April 18, 2008 at 15:32