If McCain can't stand up to ol' Larry King, how can he ever stand up to the dictators in the world? What a scaredy-cat.

wow. asking for an example or a specific decision she made that illustrated her readiness to be commander-in-chief is over the line?

they're gaming the refs again. lets hope they don't fall for it this time.

Is it really punishment, or is it not wanting to be dragged over the coals for that? (Who am I kidding... the last time Larry King dragged somebody over the coals it was probably Jackie Gleason.)

Isn't this the kindo of thing the Republicans usually term being a crybaby? Whining? Don't they make, uh, kind of sucking sounds about things like this?

As Hillary Clinton might say, if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

Would you want to answer those questions on Larry King?

He should cancel the interview and the convention. And the campaign, frankly.

They don't ask the questions WE want asked.........

So we'll find someone (AP, Fox) who WILL!

Spin, spin, spin McCain. He is in full duck'n'cover mode and needs to hide out until he and his staff can figure out what to do.

Which is the excuse they will use to keep Palin from answering any questions from the press until she has been fully programmed.

Good for the McCain camp! The last thing they need is their candidate on the station that had the highest ratings during last week's Dem Convention. Just let all of those viewers get their news from the pundits the McCain's campaign doesn't agree with rather than from the candidate himself. Wow, I'm so impressed with their line of thinking and would feel 100% confident with McCain at the controls of our country with Palin as copilot for the next 4 years.

It seems to me this behavior would just indicate to the press the treatment they'll get if McCain's elected.

Joe Biden should call CNN and offer to take the slot for an interview with King on foreign policy.

My friends, I allowed you to sample my delicious BBQ ribs and this is how you repay me?

He's worried Larry King will make him look old.

Am I the only one who thinks that this is a signal that the campiagn is trying to figure out how they're going to dump Palin?
I mean, you certainly wouldn't want to go on Larry King to defend your decision if you know you're going to reverse that decision in the next day or so.

A very convenient excuse, a twofer actually: McCain doesn't want to talk to the press at all (he hasn't had a real interview since Friday, correct?) and they get to launch this mild protest. It's kind of like Bush not being able to attend the convention because of the hurricane -- at this point they are in active avoidance mode.

What is McCain going to do when Putin asks questions he can't answer?

That is how CNN should frame this.

We need a President who can talk to foreign leaders, even when they oppose his positions.

This goes to the issue of temperment and judgment.

Is McCain Ready to Lead when he can't handle questions from Larry King?

umm - why was mccain scheduled for larry king anyway? last week, after the dnc wrapped, king was all-republicans-(and assorted bloviators)-all-the-time, having "their say." wasn't the promo for this week, "now the democrats have their say"?

Way to make sure even more people watch the interview on YouTube!

Are they making these decisions while drunk?

He has single-handedly destroyed his entire fucking campaign, including his fabled friendship with the press, and he has sowed the ground with salt!

I don't believe this!

Seems to me they forfeit the right to have access to the airwaves if they are going to avoid the press.

And there's Tom Brokaw letting ol' Rudy spout his talking points with the merest pushback.

Obviously, CNN should see if Sen. Obama would be willing to take some time out this evening to answer questions... I'm sure there's an affiliate, or an office with a polycom they could use in Chicago.

I've finally figured out what Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin have in common... petty, spiteful vindictiveness.

Hurray, Hurray, Hurray.
John McCain throws another temper tandrum "My Friend's". The MSM should discuss his inability to answer one simple question.

The answer is NONE! She has NO experience with the "National Guard" of Alaska. NONE.

Let me get this straight: Campbell Brown, hardly a practitioner of rough journalism, quite properly eviscerates Tucker Askew on McCain's utterly unqualified VP pick. So now McCain refuses to be interviewed by Larry King. McCain is playing CNN. Now we'll find out if CNN has any balls. The over/under for Roundheels Blitzer to beg forgiveness is one day. My money's on the under.

Let me get this straight. Campbell Brown, hardly a practitioner of rough journalism, quite properly eviscerates Tucker Askew on McCain's utterly unqualified VP pick. So now McCain refuses to be interviewed by Larry King. McCain is playing CNN and the MSM for fools just as he has all along: if you don't grovel you're out. Now we'll find out if CNN has any balls. The over/under for Roundheels Blitzer to beg forgiveness is one day. My money's on the under.

The whole thing's imploding, right before our eyes.

And Obama is masterfully just sitting on the sidelines..enjoying the view.

HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa!!!!

Brilliant tactic. Slink into the underground bunker in a petulant reaction due to a pathetically poor performance by a campaign surrogate. That's the way to get the message out there. McCain is melting down and Palin is toast. HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa!!!!

So if Palin gets tossed under the bus, I'm predicting Jeanine Piro as McCain's next choice.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/21/ny.pirro/index.html
HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa!!!!

The Life of the Party
Sponsored by Republican National Coalition for Life
When: Tue. 4-6 P.M.

Gov. Sarah Palin is no longer attending this reception, but the party will go on in her absence.

Contact: 800-726-8096

Hmmmm, I wonder why she's no longer attending.

"Over the line"? Well, we all know what happened when the MSM observed that "line" -- as defined by government officials and their water carriers -- in the lead up to Iraq. The MSM should have the cojones to say themselves what and where the line is. Cuz, ya know, it's not like they're in the business of producing state-controlled propaganda . . . riiiiight?

I'm more likely to tune in now that he ISN'T on. Nothing makes me change the channel quicker than when McLame is on. Keep up the good work (for a change)CNN!

Everyone write a nice letter to Campbell Brown thanking her for sticking to her guns ....

In addition to all of the above reasons, McCain may be canceling because he doesn't want to be taped getting all enthusiastic about Sarah Palin, just in case they decide to dump her.

Maybe this would be an appropriate moment to give a hearty thanks to the inventors of YouTube.

Sorry about that. Not that I thought comment was worthy of a threepeat; computer is balky.

Let me get this straight. Campbell Brown, hardly a practitioner of rough journalism, quite properly eviscerates Tucker Askew on McCain's utterly unqualified VP pick. So now McCain refuses to be interviewed by Larry King. McCain is playing CNN and the MSM for fools just as he has all along: if you don't grovel you're out. Now we'll find out if CNN has any balls. The over/under for Roundheels Blitzer to beg forgiveness is one day. My money's on the under.

In addition to all of the above reasons, McCain may be canceling because he doesn't want to be taped getting all enthusiastic about Sarah Palin, just in case they decide to dump her.

McCain Attacks Newswoman for Doing Her Job

In addition to all of the above reasons, McCain may be canceling because he doesn't want to be taped getting all enthusiastic about Sarah Palin, just in case they decide to dump her.

In related news Fred Thompson is going to attack the media in his Convention speech tonight. I guess it's more working of the referees and/or an attempt to rally the GOP against the vast leftwing conspiracy.

Now imagine if Obama cancelled an interview with ABC after that joke of a "debate". I can only imagine the reaction of everyone.

HEY, McCain's coming to my little town on Friday!! Cedarburg, Wisconsin (pop. 10,000, sound familiar?) I'd like to greet him during question time with a question that will have him stammering, sputtering, and blowing a gasket.

Any suggestions???

Maybe CNN made a decision to go hard on Mc Cain because one of there own was pepper sprayed while she was on her way to the convention. (Donna Brasile)

I saw the interview live and instantly thought that they got what they deserved.

Good for you CNN!!

I agree with the McCain camp, Brown's comments were out of line. She was obviously trying to intimidate Tucker. This segment was undignified. It shows the blatant partisanship of CNN.

Though I'm not sure that McCain should deny an interview, Obama has never agreed to be interviewed by media outlets like FOX, nor will he have public debates with McCain. Obama much prefers soaring rhetoric to actual answers to questions. Anyone who critizes McCain on this but not Obama has a double standard.

Kinda strange he's not willing to go on CNN and stick up for his "soulmate"?

I would have thought McCain and his campaign team would be glad of the extra TV coverage.

McCain Wants More TV Time
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/us/politics/03repubday.html?_r=2&hp=&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

h/t: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/09/02/mccain_wants_more_tv_time.html

Five bucks that Palin's first interview will be on Fox.

My personal fave was last night when the talking heads were praising her moral authority when it comes to corruption.

Larry King said Eliot Spitzer was quite the crusader too - before he wasn't.

First of all there was nothing brutal about a reporter asking about the foreign policy credentials of a VP pick and trying to the get the representative of the campaign to actually answer the questions. Second, my sense is that they don't want McCain to do the interview simply because they are worried about how that will go. If they want to punish news organizations for being news organanizations and purely propaganda support then we should all send kudos to the news organizations every time they actually act like news organizations so that they know we know the difference.

This woman might have to face terrorists and world leaders that will mop the floor with her. Surely we have a right to ask her questions on foreign policy.

I agree with the McCain camp, Brown's comments were out of line. She was obviously trying to intimidate Tucker. This segment was undignified. It shows the blatant partisanship of CNN.

Though I'm not sure that McCain should deny an interview, Obama has never agreed to be interviewed by media outlets like FOX, nor will he have public debates with McCain. Obama much prefers soaring rhetoric to actual answers to questions. Anyone who critizes McCain on this but not Obama has a double standard.

As I was reading a recent post on MSNBC talking about how the boyfriend of Palin's daughter was flying to Minn to join in the fun, I was struck with the description of the boyfriend...He's 18. I'm not sure what the laws are like in Alaska, but in many states, an 18 yr. old having sex with a 16 year old (even if it is consensual) is grounds for statutory rape or some form of sexual misconduct crime.

The damage has been done.
Option One: She stays in.
Consequences: Voters recognize how little she has thought on most substantive matters and how extreme her social positions are. Their thoughts turn to McCain's advanced age, his many bouts with cancer, and her proximity to the highest post in the nation. Obama wins in a walk.

Option Two: She withdraws. Scramble for the replacement. Voters are shaken in their perception of McCain. This does not jibe with his "experience, judgement" argument. He only met her twice, and look how that turned out. Bad judgement. And who would volunteer to take the token's place? No pol with ambition for the top spot himself, that's for sure. Obama wins in a walk.

-- This is why I think Jindal, Romney, Huckabee, Guiliani, and Pawlenty are out. They all have a shot for the next cycle, so why would they tie themselves to a sinking ship? You don't willingly associate with losers. That leaves Faithful Joe. (Somehow think Ridge would bristle at being a second choice.)

In the words of the governator "girlymen." Politics ain't bean bag. Too funny.

As I was reading a recent post on MSNBC talking about how the boyfriend of Palin's daughter was flying to Minn to join in the fun, I was struck with the description of the boyfriend...He's 18. I'm not sure what the laws are like in Alaska, but in many states, an 18 yr. old having sex with a 16 year old (even if it is consensual) is grounds for statutory rape or some form of sexual misconduct crime.

Now the Dems need to hold networks feet to the fire, although not in the public way pursued by Team McCain.

Obama has been the subject of intense media scrutiny since Iowa, ostensibly because people need to get acquainted with his policies, past record, personality and family history. Even though coverage has skewed heavily towards sensationalist pulp - flag pins, Jeremiah Wright, William Ayers, "race card" questions - Obama himself has conceded that since he's unknown the extra, albeit largely negative, coverage is legitimate.

Here comes Sarah Palin, chosen not after a grueling 16 month primary in which nearly well over 30 million citizens cast their vote, but to buoy the sinking campaign of John McCain by reestablishing his credentials as a maverick. Yet McCain won't let the MSM so much as ask a spokesman for his campaign to defend his characterization of her credentials by supplying a piece of simple data.

Not even the MSM will stand for this folks, and I'd be surprised if team Obama wasn't working the refs, in its own respectful, behind the scenes way. I don't think the MSM will cave, Brown defended her questions well during the questioning, making Bounds look petulant. For those with more media experience, how would this work and is it plausible? I don't think the MSM will cave, Brown defended her questions well during the questioning, making Bounds look petulant.

I'm shocked, shocked I tell you, that CNN has been doing real journalism. I guess McCain was too.

I've seen the talking point that the teen pregnancy will be "good" for Palin, making her seem more "normal" and "average." I heard this on NPR and saw it on Politico as well as somewhere else I can't remember. Yeah, right; we need a normal, average veep just a heartbeat away from the presidency. After all, having a president you'd like to have a beer with has worked out so well for us.

ummm, why was mccain booked on larry king, anyway? last week was all-republican-all-the-time on king after the dnc adjourned for the night, having "their say"; this, according to the promos, was the week the democrats were supposed to be having "their say" in reaction to the rnc events... cnn being fair and balanced? yeah, sure.

So how is it that her Party says Palin never supported Buchanan when Buchanan (in the second part of this video) says she was a prominent supporter?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZU9GGBI2jM

I wonder if Buchanan's flat contradiction in one segment of all he'd said in the prior segment has anything to do with the kind of pressure McCain Inc. put on CNN today.

if you think Campbell brown did a good job, contact CNN and let them know. If you think she "crossed the line", grow up!

Seriously though, email CNN and tell them you want more of the same.

Larry King would probably not offend you if he knew you were fucking his wife in his own house.

Campbell Brown would bend over in front of a G.O.P operative in honor of her Hubby.

Are you kidding me?

B.S. The whole thing is a farce. Wolf Fuckshit Blitzer has zero integrity. Nope. None. CNN is just trying to position themselves as hard-hitting, but in reality they are ass-kissing dog and pony show for McLame.

McShame can do no better job than a corpse in defending the Palin pick, and you can have a mind of a two year old to figure out its an indefinsible pick.

When did calling spade a spade become hard journalism?

McCain-CNN tiff is a joke.

Larry: Sen. McCain, how does it feel to be a great American?
McCain: Well Larry, it feels great to be a American always...blah...blah...blah...

crudely put, the mccain/media relationship has been a circle jerk. if mccain stops stroking, the media won't give him his happy ending.

to mix the metaphor with my preferred analogy for the mccain campaign: mccain the compulsive gambler (with the deep pockets and the massive credit card debt) is overplaying all of his hands. the media is the house and they've always extended him an overly generous line of credit. as he turns every good hand he's got into losers by overplaying them (eg, POW POW POW), the house is starting to get nervous about all of the credit they've extended him. if he starts to get belligerent with the media, they're gonna revoke his account and he'll be forced to play on his own dime.

(mccain's already gotten snippy because the media's been extending credit to his opponent to keep him in the game. and obama's been playing some strong hands. compulsive gambler mccain is gonna need some serious meds to keep his volatile temper in check.)

You can read, but you can't post -

Sorry about the triple posts. I keep getting error messages, so I've been reposting.

Anyone else having problems?

If Palin withdraws Bush-Miers, McCain-Palin comparision are imminent. I'm hoping he withdraws just after one more revelation.

Obama has never agreed to be interviewed by media outlets like FOX

Obama was interviewed by Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday, 4/27/08:

Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential candidate from Illinois, sat for an interview Saturday in Indiana with Chris Wallace. The interview aired on “FOX News Sunday.” They touched on a wide range of topics including the marathon race to the Democratic nomination, Obama’s controversial former pastor, patriotism, and Obama’s positions on the Iraq war, taxes and education.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/04/27/transcript-obama-on-fns/

But, hey, why let a few facts get in the way of a good lie? Conservatives never have in the past, so why start now?

Larry King would probably not offend you if he knew you were fucking his wife in his own house.

Campbell Brown would bend over in front of a G.O.P operative in honor of her Hubby.

Are you kidding me?

B.S. The whole thing is a farce. Wolf Fuckshit Blitzer has zero integrity. Nope. None. CNN is just trying to position themselves as hard-hitting, but in reality they are ass-kissing dog and pony show for McLame.

McShame can do no better job than a corpse in defending the Palin pick, and you can have a mind of a two year old to figure out its an indefinsible pick.

When did calling spade a spade become hard journalism?

McCain-CNN tiff is a joke.

Larry: Sen. McCain, how does it feel to be a great American?
McCain: Well Larry, it feels great to be a American always...blah...blah...blah...

There's no chance that Palin will be dumped. For one thing, the Christianist base has rallied to her and to McCain, and the money has started flowing in at a greatly increased rate because of that. The evangelicals have made it clear that no kind of personal moral turpitude (as they would term it if it were involving the Democratic ticket) will affect their support. It's OK if You're a "Christian" Republican.

Second, there's nothing in McCain's record or makeup to suggest he's going to capitulate. He's combative to a fault, and relishes the role of the brave warrior besieged by enemies on every side. I expect he'll deliver a hearty, Zell Milleresque defense of Palin at some point during the convention.

The only thing that would result in Palin's removal would be hard evidence of criminal acts such as bribery or tax fraud. Otherwise she's going to get a free pass from the McCainiacs regardless. Obama and Biden better buckle their chinstraps because it's going to get extremely rough from here on, and media types like Campbell Brown will be few and far between.

As I said, Larry King wouldn't grill you even if you slept with his wife in his own house, if McLame can't answer Larry, then he's scared as shit to defend Palin by all accounts.

I expect her to withdraw, or atleast McLame is contemplating the possibility. I wouldn't appoint her to run the community center in poughkeepsie, forget VP. Gawd, she's unfit as they come.

There's no chance that Palin will be dumped. For one thing, the Christianist base has rallied to her and to McCain, and the money has started flowing in at a greatly increased rate because of that. The evangelicals have made it clear that no kind of personal moral turpitude (as they would term it if it were involving the Democratic ticket) will affect their support. It's OK if You're a "Christian" Republican.

Second, there's nothing in McCain's record or makeup to suggest he's going to capitulate. He's combative to a fault, and relishes the role of the brave warrior besieged by enemies on every side. I expect he'll deliver a hearty, Zell Milleresque defense of Palin at some point during the convention.

The only thing that would result in Palin's removal would be hard evidence of criminal acts such as bribery or tax fraud. Otherwise she's going to get a free pass from the McCainiacs regardless. Obama and Biden better buckle their chinstraps because it's going to get extremely rough from here on, and media types like Campbell Brown will be few and far between.

Is this site just basically crashing? I can't get it the above article to load at all. And I can't get the site to load from my home computer. What's going on here?

Where are the avatars?

Did the GOP steal them?

Pffft...it worked for the Clintons, it'll definitely work for McCain.

we're gonna take our candidate and go home ???

that's mcsame's plan ???

leave john mcsame alone ???

we've been here before folks

Dayum... was that the practice of journalism I just saw on CNN?

PaulieGooner has a good suggestion upthread. If you liked what you saw, contact CNN and tell them. You can be the McCainiacs are.

Dear Memo-writers,

"McCAIN CANCELS INTERVIEW AFTER PALIN CRITICISM" ???? That's the headline on TPM???? Do you write your own headlines? Did you watch the segment? Buy bridges much? Should reasonably have read "McCAIN CANCELS INTERVIEW WHEN SPOKESMAN UNABLE TO ANSWER BASIC, LEGITIMATE QUESTION ENGENDERED BY OVERBLOWN McCAIN CAMP CLAIMS OF PALIN QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE/MILITARY CREDENTIALS(wtf?)"

To further debase the dialogue, the headline on the linked page goes further with "McCain Cancels Interview as Punishment for Criticizing Palin". Where's the criticism? A reporter finally does their job and asks legitimate questions and YOU choose to characterize it as CRITICISM???!!!!!

Your framing makes the reporter's action seem scandalous, rather than implicity condemning the McCain/Palin ticket for being afraid of honest, legitimate inquiry by the press which might be encouraged to do its job for once in a natural lifetime.

"McCAIN RUNS FROM TOUGH QUESTIONERS"

A meme with legs.

P.S. Make no mistake. This site is awesome!