EMPOWERING THE PRESS BY DISENTANGLING THEM FROM THEIR CO-OPT
"You have to ask yourself, at some point, is that breast of chicken worth it?"
So, it is now legend that McCain spent last weekend or the weekend before, cooking barbecue for his press contingent.
And it is a mistake to think that these press corps lobbying efforts don't have some bite (although someone closer would have to say how much).
They are a way for candidates to weed out reporters who are "tough", from those who are happy to go-along, in order to ride-along...
Turns out, the press, like most everyone, enjoy being pampered. Registered lobbyists cannot buy lunches for Congressmen, under ethics rules, yet it is "okay" for politicians to wine-and-dine the press corps.They are a way for candidates to weed out reporters who are "tough", from those who are happy to go-along, in order to ride-along...
To be sure, one lunch is nothing, but McCain's court of the press is now an issue, it being so well known. Also, putting up too many borders is obviously restrictive. Familiarity can be both harmful and helpful.
Rachael Maddow, a breath of fresh air in political commentary, recently put it this way in explaining why a funsy luncheon with Bush might not be to everyone's taste, (paraphrase), "You have to ask yourself, at some point, is that breast of chicken worth it?"
And it is a mistake to think that these press corps lobbying efforts don't have some bite (although someone closer would have to say how much). They are a way for candidates to weed out reporters who are "tough", from those who are happy to go-along, in order to ride-along...
