Just about everyone here is well aware that the myth of McCain as honest principled maverick is very different from the reality - and still reigns supreme in the media narrative.
The media still seem to be absolutely determined to keep this image of McCain up. It’s as if they find it impossible to alter their framing of him to fit the facts. The truth I suspect is that they don’t want to change for a variety of reasons whether it be laziness a corporate desire to see McCain succeed or simply the fact that the narrative just seem that much more interesting when one of the protagonists is an independent action hero, as keen as they were in assisting the undermining of Kerry in 2004 the same just does not appear to happening this time round.
If this were to continue to remain unchallenged through November I think you'd find that McCain would receive many votes primarily based on this myth , of a bipartisan moderate honest and principled man.
Thankfully the Obama campaign has begun to push back hard in both advertising and speeches so hopefully the number of truly uninformed who still believe in the maverick story line will be fewer over the coming months. I think as long as the campaign keeps coming up with and persists with effective lines such as "John McCain : more of the same" there is every reason for optimism in that regard but clearly as long as the media continue to accept the McCain story uncritically, people and quite probably a high number will continue to define him according to the Republican spin.
Given that we need to push back against both a large amount of inertia and active resistance ads and speeches from the campaign itself alone are just not going to do it. For as start many just ignore or at least are highly sceptical of any form of political advertising, second although undeservedly the image of the media as an honest broker and arbiter remains among many and that will inform their impressions. Granted the above is anecdotal and I haven’t got any links to back it up only my experience and common sense.
I believe how McCain is ultimately defined by the voters will be absolutely crucial to the outcome of this election. As to what can be done about it, I can only suggest that efforts are redoubled to debunk the McCain myth, even if that only extends to word of mouth conversations at ground level to friends, colleagues, acquaintances etc. not to mention taking every opportunity available to spread the message on a wider level.
Clearly this needs to be done in an educated manner – and while there is a wealth of material right here and elsewhere I couldn’t find one single debunking McCain page – maybe it would make sense to create one?
This election is much too important to be for the third time in a row defined by lies untruths and a manufactured story line that bears little resemblance to reality.
What’s happening this week, providing the positive side, the inspirational side , and letting people get to know Obama is of course hugely important as well and to my mind yesterday was an extremely impressive start. I’m confident that they’ll continue to do a great job over the coming days, but one of the great things about this election and being able to work through mediums like this, is that they don’t have to be the only ones doing the work.