There’s a lot of chatter this morning about the so-called “analysis” of Barack Obama’s pick for vice-president by the AP’s Ron Fournier, who claims that the move “shows a lack of confidence” in the face of pressure coming from Dems worried about losing the election. No big surprise considering the dreadful source, nevertheless, hot airheads like Malkin are more than happy to uncritically lap it up. Steve Clemons at the Huffington Post has a good response explaining why Biden is, as he puts it, “vital and the right choice.”
Meanwhile, John Cole, bless his heart, zeroes in on it as being yet another fine example of the so-called liberal media’s double-standard when it comes to the treatment of Democrats and Republicans by highlighting the way George Bush’s pick of Dick Cheney in 2000 was generally received by the press. CNN’s Jeff Greenfield, for example, praised him for picking for “running mate somebody who knows the world stage” because it showed “a clear signal this is somebody with some seriousness of purpose.”
Over at PBS, veteran Republican consultant Vin Weber was wheeled out to say that it was “a great testimonial to Governor Bush that he feels secure reaching out to a person of such great stature” and went on at some length extolling what a simply wonderful decision it was, one that “reflected a tremendous stability, a tremendous amount of judgment.” Weber continued: “It reflected putting conventional political considerations like ideological balance or geographic balance behind you and putting ahead of you somebody who has serious experience in the legislative branch of government foreign policy…” &tc.
Cole sums up the predicament archly like this:
Republican names a running mate with lots of experience — a sign of wisdom and good judgment and a sense of being secure.
Democrat names a running mate with lots of experience — a profound lack of confidence.
Go liberal media!
Fournier is just one voice amongst many of course, but keep in mind that he does cover the presidential beat for the Associated Press, and as such, his “analysis” will appear in 1,500 U.S. daily newspapers. By the way, he was also one of the journalists who, at a gathering of the nation’s newspaper editors, extended McCain a box of his favourite doughnuts (“Oh, yes, with sprinkles!” McCain said, clearly delighted).
5 Comments
August 23, 2008 at 12:39 pm
He was also the “journalist” who had intimate email exchanges with Karl Rove:
Karl Rove exchanged e-mails about Pat Tillman with Associated Press reporter Ron Fournier, under the subject line “H-E-R-O.” In response to Mr. Fournier’s e-mail, Mr. Rove asked, “How does our country continue to produce men and women like this,” to which Mr. Fournier replied, “The Lord creates men and women like this all over the world. But only the great and free countries allow them to flourish. Keep up the fight.”
…I can smell Ron Fournier’s funk from here.
August 23, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Yeah, no kidding. Bet on him to be McSame’s press secretary if he wins.
August 23, 2008 at 6:45 pm
I think Biden was a good choice. He has served his constituency well, and he’s smart. Frankly, he could easily step into the presidency.
That whole “plagiarism” thing he was accused of back in the day is easily explained. I think Glenn Reynolds of Instapundit.com did it best —
http://www.the-idler.com/IDLER-02/1-23.html
(Reynolds being a libertarian, by the bye *s*)
All this accusation toward Obama vis-a-vis “too much moving toward the center” is healthy. He OUGHT to move toward the center. All politicians should.
So, I view Biden as a good choice. Smart, and with a good track record. A solid ticket.
August 23, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Thanks. That was an interesting article. Learned a new word too: “boosting” — I quite like that.
If that old knock on him about “plagiarizing” Kinnock is the worst they’ve got on Biden, then that’s not too bad. Of course they’ve got the crack about Indians and 7-11 stores and I’m sure there are other indiscretions floating around, but that’s pretty trivial stuff.
I’ve always quite liked Biden even though I may not agree with a lot of his positions. He really seems passionate about politics and you can tell he loves every minute of it… I like to see that. A “Happy Warrior” as they say, like old HHH.
August 23, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Truly, RT — if anyone is qualified for the presidency, it’s Joe Biden. I’m happy with Obama’s choice.
In fact, it has probably solidified it, for myself.