McCain's “Free Ride” With The Media On Trial In New Book

When I was in Journalism school there was one thing that was drilled into my head more often than “check the AP Style Manual.” That thing was the idea of “objectivity” being the highest ideal for any journalist. Unfortunately in today's mass media culture where political operatives are able to make a cross-over to punditry, and then are referred to by their peers and others as “journalists,” that line of objectivity seems to matter less and less. The average reader/viewer/listener doesn't even seem to care anymore. Heck, they're too busy dropping off the kids, downing their $4 latte, and filling up their tank to the tune of $62 bucks -- who has time to keep the journalist vs. pundit debate straight?

With that idea in mind, serious “journalists” and “pundits” of all stripes from the entire media spectrum have quietly taken a dive on holding up the light of truth equally to all of the Presidential candidates this year. Specifically, they are focusing very much on the “fight” instead of the “issues,” and when they do go after the “issues” they seemingly digress into covering the cult of personality instead. In this climate, John McCain has navigated the dicey national press waters in a particularly smart way; wiggling his way into “buddy” status with many of the people who should have been covering him and his hypocritical statements and actions, instead of having a drink with him on the “Straight Talk Express” (his campaign bus).

In their book “FREE RIDE, John McCain AND THE MEDIA” authors David Brock and Paul Waldman have provided a highly-digestible factual analysis of reporters' love affair with the Arizona Senator. Published by Media Matters Action Network, a non-profit that provides daily analysis of news coverage for those interested in a true “fair and balanced” scorecard; a copy of FREE RIDE was sent to me to review about two weeks ago. This book isn't hefty, at just over 230 pages cover to cover, but it has a bibliography chock full of direct references that back up a very controversial argument in media circles...that John McCain has fashioned a political career through artful media relations; and to this day received favorable coverage on a daily basis in the national press.

For the average reader who doesn't care about the “flavor” of media coverage they receive, this book is a lot to swallow. That isn't a bad thing, but the text is clearly aimed at people like me who fancy themselves as analysts at one level or another. It is pretty wonky, but that's okay in my opinion, because the people who read it are likely “key influencers” in the media debate anyway. Throughout, Brock and Waldman give us a very well-laid argument complete with direct systematically-documented evidence; of how McCain has received a very high level of preferential treatment by reporters at the national level, while simultaneously having built a much more contentious relationship with the local Arizona press corps who know him best.

What is most enjoyable about this text is the depth of direct evidence these authors give to the “hunch” that many of us outside the mainstream media (MSM) have had for a long time. They provide a trail of evidence that is so complete it could be admitted in a court of law. In this case, the court of public opinion is what Brock and Waldman are targeting, and I would argue they will “get a conviction.”