Arianna Huffington: McCain's Campaign Funding Hypocrisy: Why Are the Media Looking the Other Way?

[babylonsister]

McCain's Campaign Funding Hypocrisy: Why Are the Media Looking the Other Way?

Posted June 23, 2008 | 06:24 PM (EST)


Last month, I wrote about the mainstream media's ongoing membership in the John McCain Protection Society and its offshoot, The Swift Boat Media for McCain, and how their highly motivated efforts are affecting the presidential race.

snip//

Isn't it interesting how, after largely ignoring the issue for the last 30 years, during which the GOP consistently outfundraised and outspent Democrats in election after election, the media are suddenly all atwitter about whether the campaign finance system is "basically fair"? How dare Obama inspire 1.5 million donors, giving an average of $197 apiece, to help him raise more money than McCain?

"This is a big deal," said McCain of Obama's decision. "It's a big deal. He has completely reversed himself and gone back not on his word to me, but the commitment that he made to the American people. That's disturbing."

What's actually disturbing is the Swift Boat Media's complete indifference to McCain's bald-faced hypocrisy on the same issue. Amidst all the attacks on Obama's "flip-flop," how much have you read in the MSM about the fact that McCain has "completely reversed himself" on public financing -- and is currently breaking the law on a daily basis, making a mockery out of a campaign finance system he helped create?

In the fall of 2007, McCain opted into the public financing system for the GOP primaries, which meant he'd later receive just over $5 million in public funds in exchange for agreeing to a fundraising limit of around $54 million for the entire primary process, which ends when he accepts the nomination at the Republican National Convention in September.

By late November, his campaign was practically broke, so McCain took out a pair of $1 million loans, using the public funds he would receive as collateral.

more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/mccains-campaign-funding_b_108772.html

[rinsd]

1. Since there is no FEC, the entire argument is preposterous.

[Cha]

2. Because they're john mccain's

base and as this Election Season goes on it will be more and more evident.

8 years of bush and the War On Iraq wasn't enough for the US mediawhore brigade.

[babylonsister]

3. As long as people like Arianna keep talking, I think talking heads

will have to eventually bring this up. She's an important start.

[Cha]

5. Definetly! The m$$m is

john mccain's base but that doesn't mean we can't knock them off their pedestal. It's been a long time coming.

And, I think Frenchie's Activist Thread is another great start!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6400133

[senseandsensibility]

4. It goes without saying that the corporate media

won't mention this. My question is why won't Dem spokespeople on TV mention it? It's our only chance to get it out there, and if they're waiting to be asked about it by some "anchorperson", they're too naive to be in politics.

[babylonsister]

6. Good question. Why doesn't Obama's campaign throw it back in their

face? Maybe they just want to move on. They do have a history of not saying things when I think they should have, but they are where they are, so maybe they know best. :shrug:

[Thrill]

7. The media is McCain's base.

[uponit7771]

8. K & R

[AZBlue]

9. Kick

Why doesn't someone investigate this at least?

[Emit]

10. No one on cable teevee 'news' is talking about this?

I don't get cable, and likely stupid question, but, is no one tackling this on teevee? I caught some of Randi Rhodes today and she was discussing it. Thought I heard her say KO finally addressed it. This is outrageous.

[babylonsister]

12. No, no one has, not even the Dems. Nor has FISA been even

mentioned. Last time I checked, it wasn't even mentioned on 'The Gavel', Pelosi's 'official' site. Sure makes me think she's not too proud of what they did.

[samsingh]

11. because the msm is evil.

[madfloridian]

13. The DNC has sued about this. Why won't the bloggers and media mention it?

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/2253

[Tillseptember]

14. He always gets a free pass

bastard.

[AzDar]

15. Kick...