Let me start off by saying this is not a conspiracy theory diary. It is simply me introducing some questions into the debate that I feel are worth asking.
We've some increasingly disturbing signs recently of collusion in the media and government to either spread bad messages about Barack Obama or soften negative stories on John Mccain.
I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about but here's the laundry list in case you don't.
- Bush attacking Obama from Israel
- The State Department issuing suspicious directives ordering that embassy staff cannot help candidates abroad during Obama's trip but not during Mccain's.
- CBS editing out a Mccain gaffe from their broadcast
- Fox using 8 year old footage of Mccain and trying to pass it off as recent
- The whitehouse strangely reversing direction on a whole host of issues and adopting policies that are similar to what Obama is advocating (possibly an attempt to blunt the change meme)
- Conveniently timed hostage rescue missions in South America
Now... up til now I've been willing to give Mccain the benefit of the doubt that he had little to do with this. However, the ad that Mccain is allegedly planning today is the last straw.
Let's review the timeline of events:
- Obama schedules a visit to trooops in Germany
- On the day he arrives and shortly before the meeting is supposed to take place he reserves word that he will not be allowed to attend the event with his campaign staff or any of the congressional delegation travelling with him. They are also told that this will be considered a campaign event.
- Obama cancels the visit to avoid troops getting caught in a political tug-0f-war
- Less than 48 hours later, Mccain plans an ad attacking Obama for ignoring the troops and uses footage from his visit to Iraq, possibly provided by the Pentagon.
Does anyone else smell something funny here?
Is it possible that Mccain COORDINATED WITH THE PENTAGON to set Obama up for attack?
Here are some things I'd like to know.
- Has Mccain visited the troops while travelling abroad over the course of this campaign? (I'm sure he has)
- Did he make these visits with his campaign staff in attendance?
- Were these visits photographed?
- Did the Pentagon issue him any directives?
We've already seen that the State Department has one standard for Barack and another for Mccain. It doesn't seem too far fetched to me.
If this is what I think it is, it's one of the most disgraceful things I've seen in a presidential campaign. Ever. Let's get to the bottom of it.
Update
I see that there was a better diary with more information here.
Now with Mccain releasing this ad, I think the press needs to dig into this. Let's try to keep it in the forefront. It sounds like a perfect job for the Jed Report or TPM Muckraker. Guys?