Annoy the Media, Vote for Palin...and McCain too

By Amy Yensi-

What a difference a few hours make in political time. After the McCain-Palin campaign began complaining that the stories about Sarah Palin were more of a witch-hunt than objective journalism, the 'north-eastern elite' media have been walking on eggshells. They have been bending over backwards to showcase positive accounts of Palin and give equal time to analysts with conservative inclinations. To the political junkie, this radical conversion can be quite confusing. However, it is totally understandable why the media has "backed off."

First, the argument that attacks on one's family and personal life are tasteless and irrelevant to one's political ambitions and goals is valid. The media apparently agrees, and have been biting their tongues for the last 48 hours since the Republicans began their backlash strategy. If you want to corner the media, giving them a label such as "liberal" is a sure way to make them more cautious in the stories they run.

John McCain and Sarah Palin's argument can be countered, however, by simply stating that they are speaking out of both ends of their mouths. How can you expect the media to not pry into your personal life, when you yourself tout your personal experiences because they make you more "human?" For example, America didn't need to know that she likes moose burgers, her husband is a snow racing champion, and her nickname on the basketball court was Barracuda. The reason we know is because she told us. Its not fair to use the media to share personal details that make you seem relatable, but then denounce the same media when they talk about the negatives, that also make you relatable. If you want to be seen as human, then the bad stories are just as valid as the 'cutesy' ones.

It can be argued that the media is probably backing off not just because the Republicans are crying foul, but also because they have been left to do the questioning all by themselves. Its probably true, like Obama said, kids should be off limits, but what about everything else?

Barack Obama doesn't need to engage in the "National Enquirer" style speculation, but there are certain details that do raise questions about Palin's character. If the media is the only one questioning, then it does seem like they are the ones with an agenda. If Obama wants to keep and expand his lead in the polls, he needs to make it his agenda. The fact that Palin got rave reviews was partly because the bar was set so low, but also because the public does respond to negative attacks.

Democrats have assumed the public will not buy into partisan attacks in the past and it didn't work so well, remember John Kerry.