2 of 18

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 5

McCain to Hitler. Hitler had a coherent tax policy."

If anyone despises John McCain, it the far right, and he clearly represents the first great disappointment of right-wing conservatives in the primaries of 2008.

The Democratic Heir Apparent:

Much has been made of Sen. Clinton's horribly mismanaged campaign. Assuredly, her staff, the general public, and even the conservative right were guided by the assumption that she would, come Super Tuesday, be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States. In a transparent attempt to ensure that Sen. Clinton would be the party nominee even Karl Rove and Fox News explicitly endorsed her candidacy, fully aware of the tremendous baggage she would carry with her into the general election; baggage for which they had ample coffers of ammunition; the utilization of which would make her an easily beatable opponent.

Of course, they hadn't expected the Obama campaign to generate such excitement, raise so much money and lead at this stage of the primary season. That Barack Obama's vast appeal has continued to electrify audiences and attract voters is best exemplified in recent polls, all of which show him besting Sen. McCain in a head-to-head contest.

The importance of this in relation to the Times article is: if Sen. Obama is leading in polls amongst likely voters in what seems to be the inevitable presidential race and the article is in truth, baseless, why even bother running it? Even if the Times were in earnest trying to derail Sen. McCain's candidacy, why do so now when it serves no other purpose than to unite the very conservatives who once denounced Sen. McCain's credentials? In doing so, the Times would make a Democratic victory in November more difficult, not less difficult.

If Sen. McCain's nomination is the first great disappointment of the conservative right, and it is impossible to argue that it is not, then certainly Sen. Obama's ascent in the Democratic race is the second.

A Matter of Timing:

It has been suggested that the Times sat on the McCain story until after he earned enough delegates to claim the nomination and then, sandbag him. It would certainly behoove the political agenda of the Times to wait until Sen. McCain secured the nomination before doing so, regardless of his moderate stance on the issues, in order to deprive other, truly conservative candidates from earning the Republican nod. However, several significant factors affect this theory and, in the end, wholly discredit it.

1. The acknowledgement

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Commentary: The New York Times and the McCain lobbyist scandal?
We want to hear your view. Write now!