Coverage of the Saddleback for all the networks precisely was to put McCain back in the saddle. After all, this was his audience, his to win and Obama's to lose. According to all three networks, Obama's was thoughtful, but not forceful, tepid borderline boring, not quick Mcdraw with his answers,he stammered, the same rehashed MSM yada yada. I thought this was billed as a referendum of their faith, although I disagree with this type forum, I kind of understand why he did it. It was a slim and marginal gain for Obama. Do we even know what McCain's faith is? I know he doesn't want any of the liberal supreme court justices he voted for. And bear DNA spending 3 million is wasteful, but not the billions being spent in Iraq, and 5 mil income a year is the new rich. He was playing for disgruntled Hillary's supporters or the PUMA republicans with Roe vs. Wade dissent, and we will defeat evil! Huh?
Back to network coverage, on CNN I was most disappointed with David Gergen's assessment of Obama, I used to trust his opinion and always held him to a higher standard but lately or it seems on a personal note, he feels Obama can only improve (or all in all) his odds of winning by placing Hillary on the VP ticket. Whether you like the odds or not, if Obama does not choose her, I just think reinforcing this notion especially by Gergen prior to the convention could be unproductive and hurtful to Obama's campaign and to whom he may pick outside Hillary. Those concerned don't need to fan any more flames of potential false hopes for those not conceding the idea of this happening, when it may not.
From what I gathered on one of David's talking points recently, he seemed to me to elude that Obama and camp might be displaying a air of pomposity because they have so far NOT chosen her for VP, and if Obama wants to win, he had better understand that to be their only option, is how I read it. Don't know what happened to him lately he used to be more analytical, thinking outside the box. I was thrown off when his first comments or read of McCain's Saddleback town hall meeting was, to the tune, Obama had better watch out because McBush was on his game etc. Pardon MOI? What? The Bush clone was allowed full rein by Rick Warren to give a barely uninterrupted stump speech which I suspiciously think he was rehearsed for, to prep or prop him up as to not further anger or embarrass his conservative base with all the mishaps and slips McCain has made repeatedly ad nauseum. That comment from Gergen was somewhat such a right wing basic observation, and for him not to call it for what most saw it was, simply a stump speech, just surprised me. I used to liken Gergen to a Doris Kearns Goodwin, who at least said Lincoln wouldn't have been President with this litmus test.
It was so apparently patent Bush/McCain's base from applauses galore to panning to his supporters in the Church of his wife Cindy and Graham. Where were Obama's supporters? Michelle? His supporters, anyone? So contrived and so staged! McCain jumped ahead of so many questions, now back to the supreme court justices? What? He hadn't been asked yet. If this wasn't so in your face as an observer, I don't know what else is.
Conspiracy theorist, moi and some others? You bet your sweet cheeks, I am. Sadly with David Gergen as my ever growing dim lights of a once shining beacon on CNN, I now can forget it, Roland Martin at least keeps it fair. I am angry with pretty much of the MSM's coverage. Fox as much as I abhor it, did a better job covering Obama, and they weren't even fair. MSNBC's only on hand strategists to be found were Pat Buchanan and Michele Bernard? Happy happy joy joy? With Pat of course lauding over McCain. Where were Keith Olberman, Rachel Maddow, Eugene Robinson??? Anybody? Basically, there is no fair and balanced opinions period for Obama as I see it, guess he is too cerebral for the 3 Networks. We had better hold on to the left sides of our seats until November, I don't see it getting better. If not for the internet reporting of Jed Report, TPM, Huffington Post, DailyKos, what voice do we have? The MSM has convinced and will convince America that we don't need cerebral, that is too complex. Not Black & White enough, no they want Bumper Sticker slogans! You know drill, drill, drill! We are winning! We are all Georgians today! The maverick is back...you get the gist..
UPDATE: Lo and behold, just now on CNN Warren was just asked by Rick Sanchez if McCain had the answers beforehand, cheated perhaps, heard the coverage in his pod via radio the likes, he was not there in the beginning so,,,? Warren says he trusts McCain and camp to be honest, that they did not. Well we can trust that, just like McCain's response to Corsi's book of lies on Obama, to the tune of you have to have a sense of humor comment that honesty and integrity. Yet,only to find Corsi lnked McCain to Al Queda. Hope he has a laugh!
UPDATE II Rev. Warren asks McClone about "Rove vs Wade".
Rev Warren: Senator McCain, how do you feel about Rove vs. Wade, and abortion?
McCain: I'm pro-life
Rev Warren: When does a baby have human rights?
McCain: At the point of Conception. Can we get back to judges and talk about them.
Rev Warren: Well get to the judges after I ask this question.
MSM= main stream media
Thing is Warren hadn't asked yet. Also coin toss done by both? how? McClone hadn't arrived yet!