with Obama.

McCain has made three visits to the region in the last several months and he didn't get accompanied by a single one of them.

You'd think Mr. Gymnasium was making a state visit or something.

It seems as if it's akin to setting someone up to watch them fall. The networks I watched today were presenting the story as if it was a given that he just falls so short on foreign policy issues. Sad...

__________________
"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

I think it will be interesting to see if his stance on the Iraq war changes after being over there.
He certainly had a difference in opinion on FISA than what he said a couple of months ago.

Mr. Gymnasium???? I don't get that. McCain fills gyms; Obama fills stadiums.

They're following him because it's only his second visit and because of all the pressure McCain brought to bear on him. Frankly, it's McCain's and the RNC's fault the visit is getting so much attention. The RNC had their big "count-down" clock on Obama. Guess that backfired on them.

Kind of ironic, huh?

Maybe if McCain didn't stage such blatantly dishonest photo ops as his stroll through the oh-so-safe market, he might get more attention.

Yesterday Mr. O. went to a total of six Chicago gyms and worked out in three of them.

I don't think they're following him because it's *only* his second visit. I think they're following him like puppy dogs because he shares their political views.

Ok. Well then email Fox to step up their coverage of the republican candidate.

__________________
"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

Then Fox News must be residing in McCain's colon. Is it?

So Obama went to six gyms yesterday. Who cares? What did McCain do yesterday? Here's what he didn't do:

McCain Attended Zero Afghanistan Hearings In Last Two Years

The thing is, Fox will send the same level of newspeople regardless of which candidate it is. They don't only send their big guns when it's McCain.

Fair and balanced.... and all that.

Newspeople?

BTW, what qualifies as a "big gun" on Fox?

There are some differences in Obama's trip to the Middle East/Europe vs McCains.

First, McCain was traveling on official Senate business and his aides worried that the trip would raise questions on whether he was using his Senate office to benefit his presidential campaign. (Personally I think this was an appropriate call, considering the circumstance.) They also worried that they did not have the manpower to handle a large press conference on an overseas swing. Therefore, they opted not to take the media along with them for the ride.

Also, the media outlets that wanted to cover the the newly elected GOP nominee had to travel on their own, with no guarantee of getting anywhere near the Senator. The few that did go had some difficulties; last minute foreign visas and struggles in getting around. The press rode stop-to-stop commercially, McCain was in a military plane. On the other hand, the Obama campaign invited the press and is handling all the logistics on this trip (including transportation).

McCain did do several media interviews during his trip as well as a press conference.
McCain has also enjoyed a very comfortable relationship with the press over many years (some call it a love affair). He has used it to his advantage and it has worked well for him.

I don't know why he is complaining now about the trip. He was the one that whipped up this storm, calling out Obama and then suggesting he go on this trip. So now of course the media is more interested in seeing Obama go! Still, it's a double edge sword. No doubt there is a heightened interest in Obama for different reasons. However, IMO, there are many people interested in seeing him trip up and make a mistake, which I feel will be magnified because of the intense scrutiny.

The coverage I see on the news may be different than what others see. Barack Obama is constantly talked about, yes. But anything he does is questioned, analyzed, picked apart, reevaluated and sometimes reinterpreted. I don't see the same when it comes to McCain.

I disagree that the news is there to follow him like a puppy dog because they share his views. The media is out for themselves. This is a big story and they are interested in getting scoops and making headlines (--->$$$). They are protecting their self interest.

__________________
@@@
l/ l/ l/
Dont go through life,
GROW through life

Real eyes...realize...real lies.

Well, it's about time Mr. O went to see for himself. I have a feeling he'll flip-flop on his views once he gets there and talks to our troops and the people.

Oh, sorry -- Mr. O doesn't call it flip-flopping -- he calls it 'refining his views.'

I wish GWB would flip flop some. Oh, wait, he has. In the past several weeks, he's started doing the stuff Obama said he should have been doing all along. The stuff Bush previously referred to as "appeasement.: Guess it's only appeasement when the Democrats do it.

As J.M. said today, had Obama gotten his way and the surge hadn't happened, the Iraq he's visiting today wouldn't be safe enough for him to visit.

Actually, if Senator Obama had gotten his way there wouldn't be a reason for anyone to visit Iraq.

John McCain is deluded.

If that's how you feel, it might be a good idea to take a look at a photo of him for a few minutes every day over the next 109 days, just to acclimate yourself to his frequent appearance. I predict you'll be seeing a lot of him over the next 8 years!

We shall see, won't we?

Yep! We shall!

Love it! And so true, so true!

And as for Mr. O going to six gyms and working out in three, what's he trying to prove? That he can work out? Is the only thing Mr. O has going for him is him trying to prove he's younger than Mr. McCain? Sad indeed.

I guess when there isn't much of substance he has to say, he might as well try to look good. That's all I can figure out!

I can not wait until nov.I have gotten really good and changing the tv the last 8 years so now i am even faster.It was wrong of them alll to follow O,and not M The news people are picking sides in this election.O to them a new toy .I do not listen to none of them.I all ready no who i am going to vote for so i do not listen to none of the noise.

ITA!! I want to hear more about Senator McCain mentioning the country of Czechosolovokia in the current context when it hasn't existed as a country for years; I want to hear an analysis of his response to a vet who asked him why he didn't support legislation for veterans; i want to hear more about his chief economic advisor who said "we" are a country of whiners; I want to hear him justify how he can say the social security is robbing our children but collects almost $2,000 a month from that program? So many questions, so little time as the media must follow Senator Obama from gym to gym.

Excellent points, ana.

__________________
@@@
l/ l/ l/
Dont go through life,
GROW through life

Real eyes...realize...real lies.

I want to hear thats it is all over,and why he lose or he won.The only thing i want to hear from O is the my girl H is his running mate,

Well, I guess you're right. He's probably going to continue on in the senate after he loses. Poor Arizona.

__________________
"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

Obama makes a trip on his world tour and the major networks follow like lap dogs. Go figure. I'm certainly not a fan of the other guy, however, his fight against earmarks is admirable, his sacrifice for the country that the other guy didn't even want to wear the flag of...

Personally, my belief is that our founding fathers would roll over in their graves if they knew how much our current federal government intrudes upon our lives. I'm done with both parties. However, the worship of the Obama from the 3 networks is simply sick. Remember the SNL skit???? The one asking Hilary real questions and the one giving Obama the answers? Yeah, that one. That is what is still happening. You'd think he was Mick Jagger, not Obama but then Mick has more experience (although being a Brit he can't be President.)

Oh yeah, bad,bad Fox. Evil Fox. Give me a break. Between my money supporting NPR and the same old crap on NBC, ABC, CBS and CNN, it is refreshing to have something that at least tries to be balanced. NBC is doing everything it can to get Obama elected. If you don't see that, you are blind. The 4 (including CNN) pant after him like my two Bishon's after my wife...

I can wipe myself. I can feed myself. I don't need the government's help. Pls, oh god, pls leave me alone. Plus, I can help those who need help and I'm happy to do it voluntarily. I don't need the government to pick my pocket. I actually care about my neighbors.

I was just checking in on things and I got a bit riled up. Sorry, I'll go away now

__________________
After all these years, I see that I was mistaken about Eve in the beginning; it is better to live outside the Garden with her than inside it without her.

Mark Twain

My perception of the news media's interest in Senator Obana is wildly different. I think they are just as interested if not more so in seeing him mess up as they are in seeing him succeed. For all of the mentions of Senator and Mrs. Obama in the news media how many are of a positive nature, I would say way less then 50%.

I wish they would give Senator and Mrs. McCain the same scrutiny. I can only imagine what some on the right would say if it was Mrs. Obama and not Mrs. McCain who was accused of stealing drugs because of her drug addiction.

Some have said Senator Obama is an elitist who has never worked in the "real" world. Senator McCain was the son and grandson of admirals, attended the naval academy on "our" dime (graduating 5th from the bottom of his class). He is to be very much honored for his service to our country but in all honesty his bravery as a POW doesn't qualify him to be our President. IMO he is a man of only mediocre intelligence with a life story which he has used to get where he is today but it in no way makes him more qualified then Senator Obama to be President.

Senator and Mrs. Obama's experiences in life mirror much more my family's then does that of Senator and Mrs. McCain. Senator Obama got where he is by hard work and his own innate abilities not by being the son of an admiral and marrying an heiress.

[quote=ana21;3020366]My perception of the news media's interest in Senator Obana is wildly different. I think they are just as interested if not more so in seeing him mess up as they are in seeing him succeed. For all of the mentions of Senator and Mrs. Obama in the news media how many are of a positive nature, I would say way less then 50%.

I wish they would give Senator and Mrs. McCain the same scrutiny. I can only imagine what some on the right would say if it was Mrs. Obama and not Mrs. McCain who was accused of stealing drugs because of her drug addiction.

Some have said Senator Obama is an elitist who has never worked in the "real" world. Senator McCain was the son and grandson of admirals, attended the naval academy on "our" dime (graduating 5th from the bottom of his class). He is to be very much honored for his service to our country but in all honesty his bravery as a POW doesn't qualify him to be our President. IMO he is a man of only mediocre intelligence with a life story which he has used to get where he is today but it in no way makes him more qualified then Senator Obama to be President.
[quote]


Oh, I disagree wholeheartedly. The press loves the Obamas. They do say they bad things about them, but then go on to make sure the viewers leave the story with the perception that it's a Republican-originated smear with very little truth to it.

I admit I know very little about Mrs McCain, mostly because I haven't paid attention to her through the years. I do believe her darkest secrets (the addiction to prescription meds, etc.) are probably already 'out there' but that the DNC and Camp Obama have plans to highlight them when it gets closer to the campaign. Why waste those things on the public now when you can freak us all out closer to voting time?

In May I had the privildge of attending graduation ceremonies at one of our military academies. All I can say is 'wow.' Anyone who can make it through that and come out on the other end, whether at the top or the bottom of the class, deserves our respect. The discipline it obviously took to be part of that world for several years amazed me to no end.

Are there people out there who skate through on the skirts of their relatives? Sure. Show me a Kennedy who didn't ride the family name for all it was worth. At the same time, just like it's not uncommon for a coach's son to become quite athletic, or a Dr.'s son to become a doctor, I think growing up in an atmosphere prepares you to see the world and operate from the angle you're taught to view things. McCain grew up in a military world. He understood it. It was second nature to him. Did the name 'McCain' help him get into school? Probably so. That's common in both the military and civillian worlds. However, when push came to shove and he was put to the ultimate test, he survived with no 'big daddy' in that cell to make sure all he gave was his name, rank and serial number.

Does that *qualify* someone to be president? Certainly not. But is it evidence of the type of strength and resolve you'd like to see in a President? It is it evidence of resolve and the ability to put country over self? You betcha.

When I think of Clinton and how he was willing to risk national security for a roll in the hay with an intern and compare it to someone sitting in a prison cell on the other side of the world being tortured in the name of his country yet never betraying that country... the difference is beyond striking.

I just don't know enough about Obama to be confident that he has that in him.

Interesting and very clever, one would think, if your impression was correct, they wouldn't even mention the "bad things".

Ah, I see, then the false accusation that Mrs. Obama's master's thesis contained racist comments was just an error in timing by the RNC.

I totally agree but that alone doesn't qualify an individual to be President. I can't think of one great President who had a military background.

I can show you a few Bushies who did the same with the added family talent for padding their pockets at taxpayer expense.

Sorry to tell you, and I don't in any way blame him, but the Senator gave more then name, rank and serial number. He signed a confession admitting to being a war criminal.

Not when he changes his mind and supports the current administration in their use of torture. Any strength and resolve he may have shown as a POW are overshadowed IMO by his willingness to say and do anything to win their support for his Presidential run -- he has (again IMO) shown a distinct loss of honor.

After the last almost 8 years and considering the shape our country is in now that is laughable.

[quote=wowitsdark;3020372]My husband graduated first in his military academy class. He appreciated his military education and went on to serve his country well, but is no longer wearing a uniform. He had to work through HS to make top grades and didn't "know" anybody to get him in. (If you know what I mean, wink, wink.)

I hate to break it to you, but the guys at the bottom of the class were dullards who somehow managed to stay out of jail and didn't quit because there was nothing else in the world they could do. Don't get me wrong, they were nice guys - but dumb as rocks for the most part. Many were supported in private schools by parents with cash and then got in because daddy got them an appointment.

Interesting. The relative that we had graduating from the Air Force Acacemy had to work his tail off to get in. His grades were awesome, his 'resume' from HS was outstanding... and it still was a pretty white knuckle experience for him to get in. He didn't have any 'big shot' military connections to get him in the door. He was leader of his squadron his last year there.

I was surprised by how few graduates were going on to flight school. The whole occasion really was impressive, and you realized that by and large, you were in the presence of the best of the best... and they were kids!

Ana, are you trying to say that Obama is perfect? That's what it sounds like.

McCain wouldn't have been my first choice, but the bottom line for me is that regardless of their personalities or backgrounds, who has 'proven' themselves and who hasn't, that my politics are far, far, far away from those of Mr. O. And let's face it - if McCain agreed with your war stance and your abortion stance, you'd be embracing his military experience as a 'credential' rather than evidence of nepotism.

And, I would bet your relative didn't suck up the bottom of his class.

Nope. It was a very proud day for him and his parents.

OHHHH yes all three networks need to send anchors to cover the "Messiah"....he makes me sick and so do the anchors...the media is so liberal its comical....Sherri

__________________
"It isn't that liberals are ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so."
- Ronald Reagan

I honestly can't say I know enough about him to know that he makes me sick. I disagree with his liberal-minded stances. I don't think that he's this major change agent who is impervious to playing politics or making/breaking alliances in order to gain favor with the masses. He ditched his preacher of 20 years because supporting him would've cost him the election. I have to believe that if O. was in the audience the day the sermon we heard so many snippets of was preached, he wouldn't have called him up the next day and expressed regret over his statements. Whether he agreed with him or not, he didn't distance himself from the man until he was at a point that it would've cost him his political career. Membership at that church was voluntary, and I have to think that if it had been politically expedient for him to retain that membership, he'd not have resigned it.

O's a politician, just like all the others. Either one agrees with his politics or not. Same with McCain. We all wear our rose-colored glasses when we look at the individual who shares our views, and put on the Super-UV's for the one we think represents everything we're against.

To spend much time arguing over which action was brave, which background built a better character, or who climbed a ladder vs. got a ride straight to the top is really fruitless. There are lots of people whose guts and determination cause me to admire them.... but whom I'd never vote for in a million years because our core values are so different.

I absolutely do not think Senator Obama is perfect -- I hated that he voted for the FISA bill for instance and I'm sure that will not be my last disappointment. To paraphrase you, my beliefs are far, far, far different then Senator McCain and there is no way I could vote for him. I admire his service but don't think it in any way qualifies him to be our leader.

It seems to me your party is the one who demands allegiance to its beliefs before honoring a veteran's service or in the case of the present CIC a pseudo veteran. Senator Max Cleland who lost three limbs while serving in Viet Nam was depicted by the republican party as a terrorist sympathizer because of his criticism of the Iraq invasion. Attendees at the last republican convention thought it was amusing to mock Senator Kerry by wearing purple heart bandages on the convention floor. IMO, they not only demeaned Senator Kerry but all veterans who were wounded and awarded the purple heart. All in support of a nominee who did his best to get out of being sent to Viet Nam and probably actually should have been court martialed.

Fascinating to me is the fact that Maliki chose to agree with Obama's stance on withdrawing our troops. McCain is the one who has had to change his stance on Iraq. What is most notable is the pictures taken with the troops. They couldn't be happier.

I don't think that either candidate should fear changing their minds. So far Obama has changed his stance of campaign finance and FISA. I count 2 "flip flops." Did we all hear about this? I believe that every media outlet covered these ad nauseum.

On the other hand, McCain was for privatizing social security before he was against it. As recently as 11/07, McCain wanted to increase defense spending but, 06/08 decided we should cut defense spending. He was for the estate tax before he was against it. McCain was against Bush's warrantless wiretapping program before he was for it. He proclaimed his support for restoring the Everglades then opposed a bill to provide the funding. He was against offshore drilling before he was for it. He told the people of Michigan that their jobs weren't coming back then told them that he would fight for new jobs and they wouldn't be left behind.

Did anybody hear about McCain's flip flops in the MSM? Me either. I understand there are 50 in the last 3 weeks.

McCain has referred to reporters as "his base." He is not being scrutinized.