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Is it enthusiasm, or is it an angry mob. If you just listen to the press, you’ll get the answer that hurts the McCain campaign the most.
So says Ann Althouse, and I tend to agree with her:
To my eye, it looks as though the MSM is anxious to squelch any enthusiasm.
— snip —
So they were giving the press the finger? Isn’t that the classic method of preventing the press from getting a usable picture of you? It looks as though there are 2 different things going on: disapproval of Obama and hostility toward the press. There is plenty of reason for McCain supporters to hate the press, and yet the press ought not to react with an okay, then screw them. The press should redouble efforts to be neutral and professional.
One of the big campaign themes out of the Republican camp this year is the refrain that the MSM is unfair, biased, and cannot be trusted. It started with the slime that came out of the media when Gov. Palin was selected and they smeared her daughter, and continues to this day—blaming edits and interviewer bias for the poor showings.
And she’s right—I don’t think the press even care that they’re getting a bad rap for their coverage. It’s almost like Rush Limbaugh says, that this is the last time the MSM believe they can have an impact with the rise of new media, so they’re taking their last shots.
So, were they an angry mob? I think that if Sen. McCain’s making it all about Sen. Obama, then he has a lot to fear.
The McCain campaign has famously spent the past week trying to increase doubts as to Mr. Obama’s nature, background, intentions. Their crowds have been irascible. Here is a warning for Republicans: When your crowds go from “I love you” to “I hate the other guy,” you are in trouble, you are on a losing strain. Winning campaigns are built on love. This is the time for “McCain is the answer,” not “The other guy is questionable.” – Peggy Noonan
In either case, you need to declare why you’re the good candidate, and rally people to your cause. Anger and fear is only so powerful.
