It's being written about - on page 14. But at least they're writing about the man who called himself President - before the election:
Standing behind a lectern in Michigan this week, with two trusted senators ready to do his bidding, John McCain seemed to forget for a moment that he was only running for president.
Asked about his tough rhetoric on the ongoing conflict in Georgia, McCain began: "If I may be so bold, there was another president . . ." He caught himself and started again: "At one time, there was a president named Ronald Reagan who spoke very strongly about America's advocacy for democracy and freedom."
Of course, the real story is the fact that McCain is interfering in US Foreign policy by sending his own "team" to Georgia. But at least the media's comparing this to the old "Obama is presumptuous" attacks.
The extent of McCain's involvement in the military conflict in Georgia appears remarkable among presidential candidates, who traditionally have kept some distance from unfolding crises out of deference to whoever is occupying the White House. The episode also follows months of sustained GOP criticism of Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, who was accused of acting too presidential for, among other things, briefly adopting a campaign seal and taking a trip abroad that included a huge rally in Berlin.
Yes, because a speech and a placard are the same thing as interfering with the US military and diplomatic efforts to resolve an ongoing military conflict.
Will we now get a McCain Arrogance watch?
I mean, they didn't even have to edit this quote, and they certainly didn't have to make up the fact that McCain has been playing President over a crisis, all the while getting advice from a conflicted lobbyist.
For now, it's a short story on page 14. Let's make some noise about the arrogant and dangerous John McCain.
crossposted at Strategy 08.
Updated As always - we were saying it first at DKos.
Thanks to Muzikal for the Daily Show clip below.
Update II Kossacks, we're making noise! I put this up here at 7 AM. At 9 AM First Read posts "Audacity Watch" - very close to my "Arrogance Watch" suggestion:
Interesting issue on the "presumptive" front. McCain's dispatching Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham to go to the region. Imagine the "audacity" emails that would be dispatched by the RNC if Obama made it clear he was "dispatching" two of his closest senate friends...
We're getting closer to the truth! (h/t TheC). And, ps, DNC, feel free to use any of this stuff to blast McCain.
Update III Why not submit this as a story idea to CNN? Or write to the NYT at public@nytimes.com, the Washington Post at letters@washpost.com, or suggest one of the networks carry it: evening@cbsnews.com, nightly@nbc.com, or ABC News.
Update IV It seems ABC news (or at least Jake Tapper) is getting with the times as well (h/t Sacramento Democrat):
President McCain Sends Secretary of State Lieberman and Defense Secretary Graham to Tbilisi
...Certainly some Democrats have been asking if the role McCain has played in this crisis is appropriate, with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili saying he’s "been talking to Sen. McCain several times a day...I think he's been spending less time on his presidential campaign and more time on Georgia."
Saakashvili also mentioned McCain’s support for Georgia at a rally saying, "John McCain said that Americans are supporting Georgia, McCain said, 'we are Georgians today, everybody is Georgian today.'"
The crowd cheered. But did Condi?
Keep sending them emails, folks. This is really starting to get to be embarrassing for McSame.