[big campaign] Media Monitoring Report - Evening 06/12/08

From:sdubois@progressivemediausa.org To: SDuBois@progressivemediausa.org Date: 2008-06-13 02:38 Subject: [big campaign] Media Monitoring Report - Evening 06/12/08

*Main Topics:* Guantanamo; McCain on free trade, energy and education; McCain and women; McLobbyist; 'Not too important' comments; Bipartisan McCain vs. Warmonger McCain; Joint town halls?; Attacks on VP vetters Summary of Shift: The Supreme Court ruling that Gitmo detainees have the right to challenge their detentions in civilian court makes big news; Obama and McCain comment, coming down along party lines. The ruling is widely hailed as a blow to the Bush administration and a door-opener to close down Gitmo. Pundits are also abuzz about Obama's 'fight the smears' website and whether or not his wife is fair political game. Ron Paul ends his GOP presidential bid. McCain targets Eric Holder, another of Obama's VP vetters, and Obama fires back on McCain vetter Culvahouse. Also, killer tomatoes and deadly weather in the Midwest continue to eat up news time. Highlights: 1. Gitmo a. McCain: I've Always Wanted Guantanamo Closed b. Bash: McCain Worked with Bush on the Gitmo Legislation the Supreme Court Ruled Against 2. McCain holds town hall in NYC a. Fox News airs it live b. Post-event analysis: friendly crowd, unpopular stances on NAFTA and education, and too few women in the crowd 3. Reaction to 'Not too important' comments, Day 2 a. McCain: The Response to My 'Not Too Important' Comment is We Need Town Halls b. Olbermann Puts McCain's "Not Too Important" Quote in Context 4. McCaskill and Blitzer take McLobbyist swipes while discussing Senate bill to close disclosure loophole for foreign lobbyists 5. McCain team hits Obama on trade and energy issues a. Pfotenhauer Claims McCain's Economic Policies Will Get Economy Moving Again, Obama's Will Push Us Deeper Into Recession b. McCain: The Colombia Trade Agreement is Extremely Important c. McCain: Barack Obama has no nuclear component to his energy plan 6. Polls show McCain hurt by McSame, helped by Iraq a. McCain benefiting from drop in anxiety over Iraq b. DC Local News covers McCain's popularity drop due to ties to Bush c. "Hardball": Tying McCain to Bush a high priority for Obama 7. Democrats attack McCain's age as it proves to be a major issue on voter's minds 8. McCain's foreign policy problem: staying In Iraq is costly and unsafe, incomparable to Japan/Europe 9. Fox panel debates McCain's bipartisan appeal versus unappealing stances on Iraq and trade 10. Bash: Candidates hit each other on VP vetters while also promising positive campaign 11. McCain's media darling status scrutinized on "Countdown" 12. George W Bush addresses world from Italy 13. CNN panel: Attacks on Michelle Obama have racist undertones, very different from more benign attacks on Cindy (No Clip) 14. Woman-to-woman, Carly to speak to Hillary voters (No Clip) Clips: Highlight #1 *McCain: I've Always Wanted Guantanamo Closed* (CNN LS 06/12/08 11:30am) JOHN MCCAIN: I was just informed of the Supreme Court decision [to give Gitmo detainee rights to trial in Federal Courts]. *I haven't had the chance to read the opinion yet.* It obviously concerns me. *These are unlawful combatants. They are not American citizens,* but um--and I think that we should pay attention to Justice Roberts' opinion in this decision, but it is a decision the Supreme Court has made. Now we need to move forward. MCCAIN: As you know I always favored [the] closing of Guantanamo Bay and I still think that we ought to do that. *McCain Worked with Bush on the Gitmo Legislation the Supreme Court Ruled Against* (CNN 06/12/08 6:36pm) WOLF BLITZER: Dana there is political fallout, obviously, from this decision. The McCain is, at least in his past decisions, no big fan of Gitmo as it's called, Guantanamo Bay, what's the reaction to this decision? DANA BASH: *He's in no way a fan of Guantanamo Bay; he wants it closed. But despite all that, he actually was somebody who worked on the legislation and agrees with President Bush on this issue.* So he was not very happy with this decision, as was pretty much every Republican. It was quite interesting Wolf, that this really fell on party lines. You had most of the Republicans saying this is outrageous, from their perspective, these people actually do have legal recourse. That it's just through the military courts, it's not necessarily through the civil courts. They say that's exactly where they should be. And democrats saying, no no no no, finally they are going to get their civil rights that are due to them. *What is going to be interesting, particularly from the perspective of John McCain since he was actually involved in crafting this, is what he's going to propose doing now,* given the fact that he wants to be the guy in the White House, just like Barack Obama does. And this is something that, as Jack and Jeff both pointed out, leaves a big question mark as to what happens with these people. Highlight #2 *Live Broadcast of McCain Town Hall in NYC* (Fox News 06/12/08 7:00pm) [on Iraq and the war on terror] JOHN MCCAIN: My friends, right now we are in a struggle against a great and evil and a great threat and transcendental threat to everything we stand for and believe in it is called radical Islamic extremist you know it as well as I do. We are in two wars the central battlefield according to General Petraeus is the war in Iraq. The war in Afghanistan is long and hard and tough but in Iraq it is where we are succeeding [on taxes and health care] JOHN MCCAIN: My Friends, there are many sharp differences between myself and Senator Obama he wants to raise taxes which I think makes the economy worse I want to lower taxes. He wants the government to make the choices for the families on health care I want the families to make the choices and not the government [on the youth vote and ties to Bush] FEMALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: My question is with how your campaign is going to approach the youth vote a lot of independents are being won over by the Obama campaign in many ways because of the alternative media channels that they have been using [indistinguishable] and a lot of young Republicans who would have previously been absolutely behind your campaign feel some what disassociated, disconnected with the party often times because of Bush policies and the administrations. I am wondering what your message to them is to tell them that a vote for you is a youth vote as well. JOHN MCCAIN: Well thank you, In case I didn't mention it I respect Senator Obama and I admire his success in securing the nomination of the Democratic Party and I think he has done a very admirable job in motivating a lot of young Americans to his cause. And I congratulate him on that. And I think it is going to be a real competition for young peoples votes. One of the reason's why I go on Saturday Night Live, Jon Stewart, and MTV town halls and all kinds of other venues is so that I will have a better opportunity to communicate with young people. If you missed my skit on Saturday Night Live the other night I said the primary qualification to be President of the United States is to be very very very very old. [Applause] MCCAIN: That's part of it, but when I do communicate with young people and the internet of course is a major way to do that today in most respects I have got to commuinicate to them that I will give them a more prosperous and a safer world and a nation then the one that I had and that is the important aspect that is what young people want today. They want to know that I will give them a safe and a secure future. I intend to compete in the battle of Ideas and with a positive plan of action for education for training for job oppurtunities all those things that are paramount not only to all Americans but especially to young Americans as well. [on Supreme Court nominees] MALE AUDIENCE MEMBER: Thank you, Senator. The only thing that I disagree with you on tonight is that I think that many people in the room, including myself, do believe that you are a hero. As the father of a 10 year old and a 7 year old in a public school, I look to the future, too, and I look to what this country is going to look like. I am an Hispanic American in New York. Like many of my fellow Americans, I am conservative, economically. I am conservative socially, and I look to you as our future president to have part of your legacy be the people you appoint to the Supreme Court. What character traits are you looking for in the people that will serve for many, many years and help shape your legacy? JOHN MCCAIN: I thank you. As we are talking about the youth vote, we are also going to have to compete for the Hispanic-Latino vote as well, and I believe I can do that. I have record in my home state of Arizona, working actively with the Hispanic community. I received over 70% of the votes, and I believe, could you tell me a little bit, a little bit more about your background, that indicates this concern, just a bit more? AUDIENCE MEMBER: Well, certainly. I grew up here in New York, in the Bronx. When I grew up in the Bronx, I really did not know what a Republican looked like, but when I went to college and became an attorney, and, most importantly, when I became a father, and I began to look at the platforms of the party, I realized more and more that my beliefs as a Hispanic, as a Catholic, as a father, as a professional were inline with the platforms of the Republican party, and when I looked at your record in particular, Senator, that energized me. I was a McCain guy well before this campaign, and, to me I look at a person' s character, and that is why I asked what character traits you' re looking for in the supreme court justices you will be appointing? MCCAIN: Now, I understand your question better. I think it could be epitomized to a large degree in Chief Justice John Roberts. I think he represents the kind of Supreme Court Justice -- I am sorry, initially, I had a little trouble understanding your question , but, now, I certainly do, particularly when it comes to supreme court decisions. When you mentioned that you are a social conservative, I think that is something that is also true in a lot of the Hispanic community. Justice Roberts, in my view, even though I may disagree from time to time with his decisions, I think he is the kind of person want on the United States Supreme Court. There can be two, as many as three, vacancies, two or even as many as three, and I want to make sure that any nominee that I make would be one who has a proven record of strict interpretation of the constitution of the United States and not legislate from the bench. So my answer is that I would have them, that kind of person, as my nominee, and, incredibly to me, Senator Obama voted against Judge Alito, and he voted against John Roberts. I still do not understand that, because it is the president in the result of an election who should nominate these nominations, and it is up to the congress, in my view, to ratify, if that person is qualified. Voted for Justices Ginsberg and Braier. I didn't agree with their judicial philosophy but elections have consequences. That is what elections have, and I think we should have voted, whether they're qualified or not, and, clearly, how someone could view Justice Roberts and Justice Alito as unqualified and vote against them is certainly a radical departure from the way we have generally acted in the United States Senate. *Fox Town Hall Wrap-Up: Friendly Crowd, Alienating on NAFTA and Education, and Not a Lot of Women* (FNC 06/12/08 7:52pm) SHEPARD SMITH: John McCain wrapping up a town hall meeting in Federal Hall in lower Manhattan, [�] in what turned out to be *a very, a very friendly crowd. [�] I reported at the top of this hour that the campaign had told us at Fox News that the audience would be made up of Republicans, Democrats and Independents we now have received a clarification from the campaign [�] [that the] McCain campaign distributed tickets to supporters, Mayor Bloomberg who of course is a registered Republican and other independent groups.* [�] So how'd he do? [�] Did we learn anything? CARL CAMERON: *That John McCain can be vigorous, that he can wander the room, he can take some fairly friendly questions*�they weren't exactly spitballs or curves�and take the opportunity to go after Barack Obama as he did on tax cuts, on trade and a host of other issues. Not a lot of new policy here. But it's a fairly typical display of what a John McCain town hall meeting is. And you saw him sort of go back to one individual who asked a question, and say give me a little bit of your personal story so I can understand the context more�that's a tool he uses quite often. [�] JUAN WILLIAMS: I was taken by the idea that he says openly 'I'm for free trade.' Because I think that there's a possibility there that *a lot of people you know hurting in terms of economic times* *and he says he understands *[�] *But he says he's for free trade. And that's a very difficult issue for him*, especially in the Midwest and some of those swing states. [�] The one other thing [�] is when he talked about education, he said the NYC public schools were doing a good job; I think he'd get lots of argument there. [�] Again, I think for lots of people who would be core Republicans, lots of people that he needs to embrace him before he can start to reach out, Shep, it might be a little off-putting to hear him be such a fan of free trade, such a fan of what everyone agrees would be public schools in need of reform. [�] RICH LOWRY: This is a candidate fundamentally driven by issues of character and national security. [�] Those I think overshadow his positions on the issues. [�] What I thought was interesting was the big dog that didn't bark. [�] You had a lot of discussion of energy policy in this town hall without the 'D' word coming up. Every single elected Republican in the country right now is grabbing everyone they can by the lapels and saying 'Drill! Drill! Drill!' And that McCain is not on board with that just shows you how he is indeed a different kind of Republican for better or worse. [�] PATRICIA MURPHY: He I think went after the Independents; we heard a lot about peace and prosperity and reform. No mention of George W Bush, no mention of socialist issues whatsoever. [�] From my perspective as a woman on the panel, that audience was about two-thirds male. If he wants to get those Clinton Democrats, he needs to do better than that. [�] MURPHY: I think his tone was really good. He came across as not partisan at all, certainly not angry, somebody who is very much in touch with economic issues and gas prices. [�] But again, the visuals weren't so hot for him. *Not a lot of women in that audience. There aren't a lot of women surrounding him on that campaign either, so I think he needs to do better than that.* Highlight #3 *McCain: The Response to My 'Not Too Important' Comment is We Need Town Halls* (CNN LS 06/12/08 11:30am) JOHN MCCAIN: [...] This is why we need town hall meetings. *This is why we need to go to the American people and stand before them and have them ask the questions and us give the answers. My position on the war in Iraq has been very, very clear.* Very clear. MCCAIN: I opposed the failed strategy that was failing, argued for the strategy that's succeeding and it's winning and it's winning and the key is not to do what Senator Obama said we had to do and that is set artificial dates for withdrawal and also, to this day, refuses to acknowledge that the surge is succeeding. We are winning. MCCAIN: So the key to it is success and withdrawal; success and withdrawal. General Petraeus has said that Senator Obama's plan could lead to disastrous consequences. He testified before congress. MCCAIN: So we have a very clear choice here. That's what this is all about. We have a choice to pursue Senator Obama's path, which is artificial dates for withdrawal, which could lead to chaos, which could eventually lead to a wider war or stay with the strategy that is succeeding and we will be able to withdraw and we will come home with victory and honor not in defeat. That's what this debate is all about and anything else is frankly not on the major subject of what I believe and know is succeeding. MCCAIN: In the three major cities in Iraq today, Mosul, Baghdad and Basra the Iraqi government and military are in charge with American support. That was the object of the surge. There is no disputing facts on the ground. MCCAIN: We're now in the 800 and something or other day since Senator Obama has visited Iraq. Since--before the surge even began and incredibly he has still not asked to sit down with General Petraeus, our commanding general and be briefed by him on the situation in Iraq. I hope he will do so soon. *Olbermann Puts McCain's "Not Too Important" Quote in Context *(MSNBC 06/12/08 8:48pm) KEITH OLBERMAN: Finally tonight, as promised, a special comment on Senator John McCain's conclusion that it's not too important when American forces come home from Iraq. Thoughts offered more in sorrow, than in anger. For two full days now the Senator and his supporters have been outraged by what they see as the subtraction of context from this extraordinary remark. This is sadly, the excuse of our time for everything. Still, if the Senator claims truncation, we will correct that first. ["Not Too Important" Clip Shown] And there's the context of what Senator McCain said. Well not quite Senator. The full context is that the Iraq you see is a figment of your imagination. This is not a war about honor and victory sir. This is a war that you, and the president you seek to succeed, conned this nation into. Yes sir, you. Of the prospect of the war in Iraq you said [�] [John McCain clip, September 24, 2002] [John McCain clip, September 29, 2002] [John McCain clip, March 24, 2003] [John McCain clip, March 18, 2004] [John McCain clip, January 31, 2005] [John McCain clip, January 3, 2008] [John McCain clip, May 18, 2008] That Senator McCain is context. *You have attested to a fairly easy success, an overwhelming victory in a very short period of time in which we would be welcomed as liberators. Which you assured us would not require our troops to stay for decades, but merely for years, from which we could bring them all home, since you noted many Iraqi's resent American military presence, in which all those troops coming home will be staying there, not being injured, for 100 years, but most will be back by 2013, and the timing of the return of them is not that important. That Senator McCain is context. And that Senator McCain is madness.* Highlight #4 *McCaskill and Blitzer Swipe at McLobbyist while Discussing Senate Bill to Close Disclosure Loophole for Foreign Lobbyists* (CNN 06/12/08 6:13pm) WOLF BLITZER: On Capitol Hill, two top Senate Democrats are offering up a bill aimed at closing some of those loopholes used by lobbyists for foreign clients. Those loopholes sometimes allow the lobbyists to keep their activities secret. *This is a sensitive issue for John McCain because several former lobbyists working for his campaign had past dealings abroad. *Some have resigned in recent weeks. [�] CLAIRE MCCASKILL: This bill came about because we learned that the Iraqi government had hired lobbyists. And some of us were very offended at the idea that our tax dollars were being used to hire lobbyists to lobby us. [...] We're hoping that Senator McCain will co-sponsor the legislation. It shouldn't be controversial. These foreign entities ought to be operating in the light of day if they're trying to influence the United States. [�] BLITZER: So you can say that your decision and Senator Schumer's decision to introduce this legislation has nothing to do with the lobbyists who are working for the McCain campaign? It's not designed to embarrass that campaign? MCCASKILL: It is designed to make sure, especially right now, under this economy, our dollar is so weak. Foreign companies are rushing into the United States to try to catch bargains. They're trying to buy businesses, buy land, influence our government--we need to know all about that right now. *The fact that senator McCain has a lot of lobbyists working for him, and that they may have some of these clients, that is ancillary to our focus. Frankly, if Senator McCain wants to show the American people he's serious about this process, he ought to join us in this legislation*. Highlight #5 *Pfotenhauer Claims McCain's Economic Policies Will Get Economy Moving Again, Obama's Will Push Us Deeper Into Recession* (FNC 06/12/08 5:10pm) BILL HEMMER: Now to the other side where the battle is being waged on taxes in a big way. Nancy is a senior policy advisor to the McCain campaign. Good evening Nancy, welcome back here. NANCY PFOTENHAUER: Good Evening, thanks for having me. BILL HEMMER: When it comes to taxes, the issue is this I believe. The question is, what do voters want? NANCY PFOTENHAUER: Well I think what voters want, is the tax policies and the economic policies that are going to get the economy moving again. Because they're worried. They're worried about rising gas prices, rising grocery prices, and they're afraid they're not going to be able to make ends meat. *And I think it's absolutely clear that Senator Obama's path takes us to a deeper recession, and it's been proven in the past here, and also in other countries. Where as Senator McCain's path of low taxes, lower federal spending, and an avid and enthusiastic approach to free trade takes us to economic growth.* So if you care about gas prices, if you care about those grocery prices that are driven up by energy, the cost of energy if you will, then you need to be with Senator McCain. And I just think that Senator Obama's plans are the antithesis of what we need, on the path that we need to be following. Look at the windfall profits tax that he's advocating for right now. BILL HEMMER: Let me just interject this. The reason why I asked you that question is because it was a big topic for Barack Obama today. [�] [Video Clip] NANCY PFOTENHAUER: Basically, Senator McCain is building on what we know works, and he's doing it at a time when we desperately need it. Where as Senator Obama's raising income taxes, raising the amount of wages subject to the payroll tax, which is huge. It's going to give the U.S. what many experts believe to be, one of the highest effective marginal tax rates in the industrialized world. It's terrible economic policy, as I say, impressively bad. Where as Senator McCain's talking about lowering taxes on the productive sector of the economy, he's going to eliminate the AMT, which catches the average family that's caught in that about $2700 dollars and it's going to give them a $5,000 dollar per family credit for health insurance. He's going to keep the capital gains rate low, and remember 55 percent of the people who benefit from that make less than $50,000 dollars a year. So Senator Obama can wax rhapsodic with his rhetoric, nothings going to change the reality. His path is the wrong path, Senator McCain's path is the path to prosperity. *McCain: The Colombia Trade Agreement is Extremely Important* (CNN LS 06/12/08 11:30am) JOHN MCCAIN: [...] *the Colombia Free Trade Agreement is far more important than a trade agreement. It's an affirmation or a rejection of the cooperation, friendship and enormous support that the Colombian government and people have given us in trying to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the United States of America. * MCCAIN: [If] We reject, as the speaker of the house had, even a vote on a a Colombia free trade agreement it sends a message throughout our hemisphere that we don't address the concerns and try to help our friends. Senator Obama said that he would unilaterally--unilaterally--renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement where 33% of our trade exists and you know what message that sends? That no agreement is sacred then. MCCAIN: If someone declares that as President of the United States they would unilaterally negotiate it. I'm for free trade and I will stand for free trade and [incoherent] *of all the difficulties and economic struggles we're in today there's a little bright spot and that's our exports *and to--and protectionism does not work and it will not work and I look forward to that debate between myself and Senator Obama. *McCain: Barack Obama Has No Nuclear Component to His Energy Plan* (CNN LS 06/12/08 11:30am) REPORTER: Tax credits for wind and solar expire this year and you've missed some critical votes on that issue. How do you plan--will you be there next time and how do you plan on voting? JOHN MCCAIN: I think we need tax credits for the development of alternate energy. We need to invest in pure research and development but we also need very badly nuclear power. We're not going to attain energy independence nor will we reduce greenhouse gas emissions successfully without developing rapidly nuclear power plants all across this country. [...] *I noticed that nuclear power is absent from Senator Obama's energy plan.* Highlight #6 *McCain Benefiting From Drop in Anxiety Over Iraq* (MSNBC 06/12/08 6:45pm) JOHN HARWOOD: Absolutely it's changing, it's responding to events on the ground. Iraq was a throbbing migraine headache for the republican party, for President Bush, for John McCain not too long ago. That's lessoned considerably, and that's good news for John McCain. But of course, to Chuck Todd's point from earlier, that just increases the onus on him to come up with an economic message. *But clearly he is benefiting from the reduction in the level of anxiety.* About Americans, even though they are sick of the war, it's simply not the same situation as it was a year ago. *Local News Covers McCain's Popularity Drop Due to Ties to Bush* (NBC-WRC-DC, 06/12/08 6:11pm) STEVE HANDELSMAN: *McCain's approval rating has dropped in the three months since he locked the GOP nomination. Down from 45 percent to 39 percent, due in large part, say the pollsters, to McCain's ties to the unpopular President.* *Tying McCain to Bush and Making This a Third Term a High Priority for Obama * (MSNBC 06/11/08 5:12pm) CHRIS MATTHEWS: [�] his connection with George W. Bush, who really is one of the least popular presidents in a long time. He may look good in history books, but not right now. How does Barack deal with that or exploit that? STEVE MCMAHON: Well President Bush has an approval rating, as you pointed out, in the low 20s, it's extremely low. John McCain has been an enthusiastic supporter of the Bush policies. He's gone from being a maverick who opposed many of those policies, like the tax cuts, he was critical of the war. To being a being a big supporter of the President's policy on Iraq and on the President's economic policies. And with people wanting a change*, tying John McCain to George Bush and making this a third term for George Bush is very important for the Obama* [inaudible]. CHRIS MATTHEWS: Show pictures together, put them together hugging? What do you do? MCMAHON: Well I think you just say, let's take a look at the President's economic policies, let's take a look at where John McCain is on those policies. John McCain wants to stay in Iraq, Obama wants to get out of Iraq. He wants to continue the Bush economic policies and tax cuts, Senator Obama wants to go in a different direction. His view on health insurance [cut off]. MATTHEWS: To make your point, this is staggering. Highlight #7 *Democrats Attack McCain's Age as It Proves to be a Major Issue on Voter's Minds* (MSNBC 06/11/08 5:33pm) CHRIS MATTHEWS: [�] McCain's age could be a serious issue for voters here in the U.S. And Democrats, some say, are quietly trying to remind voters that McCain is not exactly young. Shuster does it again. Here's David Shuster with a look at that question. DAVID SHUSTER: For democrats, it was a golden opportunity. ["Not too important" clip shown] Within hours the Obama campaign and democrats in Congress attacked, claiming McCain implied that when troops come home is unimportant. But they quietly also used the controversy to turn to something else. McCain's age. Listen carefully. [Susan Rice response clip shown] Throughout the day, other democrats also attacked McCain by repeating the word confused, and they added words including "oblivious" and "out of touch". It's not the first time this year the language has seemed loaded. Last month in response to a McCain attack on him [Obama Clip Shown- "losing his bearings"] Age has long been a campaign issue, and sometimes candidates have hammered their opponents over it directly. [�] Yesterday, on MSNBC, democrats including John Kerry insisted that by using the words "confused" as Kerry did, it was not to make McCain's age an issue. [Kerry clip shown] But today John McCain took issue with allegations that he is confused. JOHN MCCAIN: I'm obviously disappointed with a comment like that. SHUSTER: *Regardless of the Senator's reaction and democrat's denials, John McCain's age is clearly on the minds of many voters. The latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found that 10 percent found that McCain is too old, and that it's the first issue that comes to mind when they think of him.* Highlight #8 *McCain's Dilemma, Staying In Iraq is Costly and Unsafe, Incomparable to Japan/Europe* (MSNBC 06/12/08 8:07pm) DANA MILLBANK: Well McCain's got a problem here, as you pointed out, he wants to keep mentioning the word withdrawal. But, yet, his basic philosophy here is we need a long term commitment of troops, kept out of harms way, he says. And the problem with that, could be, that not only is there a financial cost, but if he's going to make the analogy to Europe and Japan and to South Korea; those are safe places, are safe places to keep our troops*. It's not at all clear, that even with the success that's been made that Iraq is a safe place to garrison our troops for 20 to 30 years, let alone 100.* Highlight #9 *McCain's Bipartisan Appeal versus Unappealing Stances on Iraq and Trade* (FNC 06/12/08 6:34pm) MEGYN KELLY: Ok, let's start with this McCain virtual town hall meeting. Terry, he's trying to win over, you got to hand it to him, cause this isn't meant, so much, to get the Republicans on the fringe or even the independents. He's going for the Democrats, for Hillary Clinton supporters. Smart and will it work? TERRY HOLT: Well there's that obvious opportunity there, only about half the people who came out of the Pennsylvania primary between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama said they would vote for Barack Obama. So there is an opportunity among Democrats there, among Clinton supporters, who might have recognized her credibility on national security issues, for example, or on other issues. But really, *for John McCain, there is really only one candidate in this race people, that has a track record of working across party lines, and who has a real legitimate appeal among independents, and it's John McCain. *It's not Barack Obama, who's a harsh partisan. And I think that's where John McCain has a distinct advantage, as this general election match-up takes shape. KELLY: How bout it David? Cause McCain, in the most recent poll, suggested that Americans trust him more when it comes to foreign policy. They trust Obama more when it comes to the economy. But him more when it comes to foreign policy, and Hillary Clinton was farther to the right than John McCain when it comes to issues like the war in Iraq and Iran. So does he have a chance of winning them over? DAVID SIROTA: Well I think, to counter the point that was just made, that *John McCain is still the only candidate in the race that is for staying in Iraq for 100 or what was it, 10,000 years, he's made comments like that.* KELLY: Oh come on David, you know that's out of context. [�] SIROTA: I'm not spinning! *He's the only candidate in the race that wants to stay in Iraq. He's the only candidate in the race that wants to continue and expand NAFTA.* These are issues of major importance to independent voters, to republican voters. I mean, this is a candidate that's running on let's expand NAFTA at a time when the Wall Street Journal poll says that 72 percent of republicans want a change in our NAFTA style policies. So I think that presents a huge opening for Barack Obama on economic class issues and on the war in Iraq. KELLY: Terry, I'll give you a quick rebuttal then I want to move on to topic two. HOLT: Well NAFTA was in 1994, it's 2008. John McCain's always going to put America first, he's going to put the country first, and we need to open new markets so we can create jobs in this country and people can continue to have prosperity in their lives. We need to get this economy going. Highlight #10 *Candidates Hit Each Other on VP Vetters While Also Promising Positive Campaign* (CNN 06/12/08 6:35pm) DANA BASH: Ironically in the same press conference he raised questions about Eric Holder, McCain renewed his call for a debate on the issues with joint town hall meetings. Highlight #11 *McCain's Media Darling Status Scrutinized* (MSNBC 06/12/08 8:14pm) KEITH OLBERMANN: Has the McCain campaign successfully intimidated the media at this point? RACHEL MADDOW: The McCain campaign has two things going on with the media. One is, behind the scenes they are being very aggressive in terms of lobbying the media, lobbying the media left, right, and center in terms of the way they want McCain to be spoken about. They are lobbying the media, for example, on taxes. Saying, that we should be describing, members of the media should be describing what Barack Obama wants to do in terms of rolling back Bush's tax cuts as a tax increase, not as a rollback on Bush's tax cuts. And some members of the media go along with that sort of thing. I think some others, more rightfully see that as the subject of a news story as John McCain's trying to manipulate the media. *But the other thing he's got going for him is essentially his 26 years in Washington, having been a media darling of the media on purpose. He cultivated a relationship with the media that involves them giving him the benefit of the doubt. *Like you were talking about with Howard Fineman earlier, this sort of leeway that he's given, so that we talk about what he really meant rather than what he really said. *The only way you get to that sort of relationship with the media is if you have a relationship with reporters that you think you can call on that supersedes your actual record and what you are documented as actually saying.* Highlight #12 *George W Bush Addresses World from Italy *(FNC 06/12/08 1:45pm) Full transcript: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/06/20080612-10.html -- Sara DuBois Deputy Director - Tracking/Media Monitoring Progressive Media USA sdubois@progressivemediausa.org 202-609-7681 (office) 410-967-7306 (cell) --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the "big campaign" group. 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