McCain and the media: Why some preacher problems (Wright) are more equal than others (Hagee)

In this morning’s MinMon interview, Real McCain author Cliff Schecter mentions network newsies’ love-slave relationship to John McCain. Via Steve Benen at Carpetbagger Report, here’s a prime example from last Sunday’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos:

STEPHANOPOULOS: A lot of Senator Obama’s allies and others say that you should condemn the comments of Reverend John Hagee [pictured with McCain above], an evangelical pastor…

MCCAIN: Oh, I do. And I did. I said, any comments that he made about the Catholic church I strongly condemn, of course.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Yet you solicited and accepted his endorsement?

MCCAIN: Yes, indeed. I did. And I condemned the comments that he made concerning the Catholic church.

STEPHANOPOULOS: But you’re going to hold onto his endorsement? Your own campaign acknowledged that you should have done a better job of vetting Pastor Hagee.

MCCAIN: Oh, sure.

STEPHANOPOULOS: So was it a mistake to solicit and accept his endorsement?

MCCAIN: Oh, probably, sure. But I admire and respect Dr. Hagee’s leadership of the – of his church. I admire and appreciate his advocacy for the state of Israel, the independence of the state of Israel. I condemn remarks that are made that has anything to do which is condemning of the Catholic church, but – so…

STEPHANOPOULOS: … no longer want his endorsement?

MCCAIN: I’m glad to have his endorsement. I condemn remarks that are, in any way, viewed as anti-anything. But thanks for asking. 

In other words, I shouldn’t have solicited his endorsement. Wasn’t really doing my job. I’m keeping his endorsement. Fuck you.

“I condemn remarks that are, in any way, viewed as anti-anything” is the sort of pure sarcasm that makes every jaded journo Big John’s new best friend. Just imagine how far Barack Obama would have gotten taking a similar line on Reverend Wright, and you’ve got a fair measure of the advantage McCain enjoys among journalists in general and TV gasbags in particular. When Chris Matthews says, “The press loves McCain. We’re his base,” you best believe it. Reporters, columnists and jaw-flappers from the mainstream are McCain’s greatest asset in a general election.

If you aren’t familiar by now with the colorful views of the good Rev. Hagee, check out Andy Birkey’s earlier post.