CNN joined other media in reporting McCain's attempted wooing of Clinton supporters, but not his prior attacks
SUMMARY: Reporting on Sen. John McCain's efforts to court Clinton supporters, by "speaking right to them and flattering his old friend," neither CNN correspondent Carol Costello nor host Wolf Blitzer noted that notwithstanding his recent "flattering" words about Clinton, McCain has previously distorted Clinton's record on issues such as health care, taxes, the environment, and housing, and also issued several personal attacks against Clinton and her family.
On the June 4 edition of CNN's The Situation Room, host Wolf Blitzer stated that "both [Sen.] Barack Obama and [Sen.] John McCain are eying [Sen.] Hillary Clinton's core backers: women." Moments later, CNN correspondent Carol Costello said: "The fight for Hillary Clinton's loyal, white women supporters has begun. Suddenly Republican John McCain is speaking right to them and flattering his old friend, Democrat Clinton." Costello then uncritically aired a video clip of McCain saying of Clinton: "She has inspired generations of American women to believe that they can reach the highest office in this nation. And I respect her campaign, and I respect her." However, neither Blitzer nor Costello noted that notwithstanding his recent "flattering" words about Clinton, McCain has previously distorted Clinton's record on issues such as health care, taxes, the environment, and housing, and also issued several personal attacks against Clinton and her family.
From the June 4 edition of CNN's The Situation Room:
BLITZER: The battle lines now drawn -- both Barack Obama and John McCain are eying Hillary Clinton's core backers: women.
Let's go back to CNN's Carol Costello. She's watching this story for us.
What are they trying to do, both of these presidential candidates, to court women voters, those Hillary Clinton supporters?
COSTELLO: Well, both candidates, Wolf, are reaching out in different ways. And when I say both, John McCain is absolutely in the hunt for Clinton's loyal women voters.
I just got off the phone with the Minnesota Republican National Committee. They tell me Clinton supporters are calling to see how they can help John McCain.
But don't count out Barack Obama just yet.
[begin video clip]
COSTELLO: Army Wives is a Lifetime TV hit. It's sort of like Desperate Housewives on an army base. Millions of women watch it religiously. And don't you know it? Both presumptive presidential candidates gladly agreed to make public service announcements at Lifetime's request. Both think it's a fab show.
McCAIN: I know because Cindy makes me watch with her, and we're looking forward to season two.
OBAMA: I just want to take a moment to honor the people the show is about.
COSTELLO: It's official. The fight for Hillary Clinton's loyal, white women supporters has begun. Suddenly, Republican John McCain is speaking right to them and flattering his old friend, Democrat Clinton.
McCAIN: She has inspired generations of American women to believe that they can reach the highest office in this nation. And I respect her campaign, and I respect her.
COSTELLO: Analysts say his campaign will reach out to women using issues both McCain and Clinton agree on, like the gas tax holiday.
McCAIN: From Memorial Day to Labor Day of this year.
COSTELLO: And their unwillingness to meet with leaders of Iran and North Korea unconditionally.
The both did get along in 2005 when they traveled to Iraq together
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2005-02-19-iraq-senators_x.htm
This is just politics as usual. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, or something like that. It's no different than when primary opponents duke it out and then praise each other once it's over.
McCain is pandering for votes, a requirement for politicians that's rooted in their DNA......typical.
If you want some reporter to say "well, now he says this about her but what about months ago when he said THIS about her!".......considering they presume their audience knows this is nothing more than vote pandering. as obvious as it is, to most.
Just because you need it spoon fed to you doesn't mean the rest of us do, sorry.
I'm curious as to why CNN is not considered one of the "Media Outlets' referred to in the previous headline? Looks like basically the same story.
Yep...a real travesty...a politician pandering for votes.
I can't wait to hear what Obama has to say when he goes after Clinton supporters...after the things he has previously said about her.
COSTELLO: It's official. The fight for Hillary Clinton's loyal, white women supporters has begun. Suddenly, Republican John McCain is speaking right to them and flattering his old friend, Democrat Clinton.
His old friend, Tommy. They're old friends. The Media's just being straight here. Media respects its viewers. Yay!
How about highlighting "suddenly" and "flattering" Gov? Far more operative words than the ones you did, all Senators claim to be "good friends", irrespective of party.
Pandering, obviously. Read or watch it slower, it's not hard.
How about highlighting "suddenly" and "flattering" Gov? Far more operative words than the ones you did, all Senators claim to be "good friends", irrespective of party.
Pandering, obviously. Read or watch it slower, it's not hard.
Keep insulting me, that's always to most tepid part of your posts. You may get better with practice. As for Senators making claims, that continues to not be the point here. The point is how it is being reported. Costello reported that McCain and Clinton are "old friends" and did so during a very politically helpful moment for McCain.
When you scold me for insulting you, do you forget your "fcuk you" declaration recently against me? Or your link to bashing genitals directed at me? I think you do, so I will remind you.
You deserve, and you get, what you give out.
It was over 3 months ago and you've now brought it up in over a dozen different threads. And my full statement was -- if you're going to continue to insult my intelligence, then perhaps you should fcuk off. Weirdo.
While I'm convinced that the so-called Clinton supporters for McCain are nothing but Republican operatives, here's a McCain quote you can show any Clinton supporter who claims that the Obama campaign was sexist so they're thinking of voting Republican:
"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?
Because her father is Janet Reno."
-John McCain
Pretty ugly stuff. If anybody thinks Obama's supporters were tough on Clinton supporters, they weren't ready for a campaign against McCain.
Uhmmm It looks to me that McCain said this in 1998. McCain afterward publicly apologized to President Clinton.