To get a sense of how the media is still tugging on the phony Mary scandal, I watched Chris Matthews today. Yes, yes. Don't worry, I've punished myself enough.
Matthews played four questions from his interview with John Edwards, all about MC. Edwards kept repeating that the comment was respectful.
When Andrea Mitchell arrived, Matthews used his fourth question to ask her about MC. She offers that it was meant to "put a human face" on the issue.
Chris Matthews also asks Charlie Cook about MC. He says "I don't know that it was necessarily badly intended. On the other hand, Republicans are trying to have it both ways."
Matthews says Bush flubbed the question by saying homosexuality might be a choice, then implying a gay daughter in Cheney's family "just happened."
So, for what it matters - Chris Matthews is still fascinated by this dumbass non-issue. He seems to be interested in exposing the true intentions of one side or another - Kerry's "true intentions" being to exploit anti-gay sentiment. But he's moved from shock shock shock to trying to nail one side or the other on this.
Unfortunately, Matthews said he invited Cheney on the show before the election. That's depressing. I get the feeling that Matthews will hand Cheney a softball and let him make a "I'm so angry" remark that could feed the news cycle a little bit more.
Conclusion: Bob Somerby is sadly right. A few media hacks, if not most of them, want to make this remark the "Gov. Dukakis, if your wife were raped and murdered ..." of the campaign. It's about as silly as that mini-scandal, especially because it's based on like five quotes - Kerry at the debate, Lynne Cheney's angry mom, Dick's angry dad, Elizabeth Edwards's shame, and Scott Mc-fucking-Clellan's pissy "inappropriate" answer.
Talking with my liberal parents yesterday, I raged against the way Kerry blundered his way into a media orgy. But I said, if Bush wins and the media starts dissecting the White House like this when they're not running against an opponent any more, it will be a beautiful thing.