BY TAYLOR MARSH
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| General Election Coverage Alert |
Since the primaries began I haven’t had an opportunity to do much coverage
of anything outside the Democratic battle. Today my traditional role as a journalist,
independently involved though clearly with a Democratic slant, comes back into
focus. People who don’t know my work will likely be surprised. Those of you
who know my work will not. When no one else was covering Clinton fairly I was.
Honest reporting isn’t easy to find. It’s true that as a Democrat I clearly
have a bias. Many of the journalists you read and watch on cable do too, but they simply don’t admit it. I disclose it. That said, in the spirit of being an American first, I’m glad that
the McCain campaign has invited me in to Senator McCain’s blogger calls. The
New Republic was also on the line, as I’m sure were other Democratic outlets.
Reporting McCain v. Obama, I hope this is just the beginning.
Let me also state that it’s been months since Obama’s camp has invited me into
to cover his conference calls, one in number, which is understandable. But this is the general election. When and if I get an invite I will gladly accept and bring you the details. It’s the Obama’s camp choice, obviously.
My general impression of the call was that McCain is calling out Obama immediately
to debate issues, rather than just give speeches. That’s not a quote,
but it’s the general message Senator McCain was giving. It is not unlike the
Clinton camp’s call for more engagement. Obviously, Senator Obama wants to stay
where he’s strongest. McCain is much better on a conference call answering questions
than he is giving speeches. Putting it bluntly, that’s not all that hard. But he was good on the call, very good. I don’t think you’ll see much of the speechifying except when
he has to. McCain was candid and engaging on the call. When one questioner,
Dan Quinn, asked about Juan Hernendez, at one point the operator dropped the
questioner off the call. McCain broke in to ask the operator to get Quinn back
on the line so he could finish his line of questioning. Quinn was already gone,
so the call moved on. It was clear, however, that McCain was ready to engage
further.
It was around a 23 minute call. In order to get everyone’s points, I wasn’t
able to get the outlet or blog of the questioners. Many of the names, besides
TNR or Townhall you know. I’ll try to get the questioners next time.
Again, this is a real effort to get back to reporting some of the things that
are happening on the trail and in the general election. Maybe Senator Obama’s
team will see fit to invite me in so I can do the same for him. Offering both
sides is obviously important. Being a Democrat, I hope it happens, but that’s really up to Obama’s campaign.
The call is chronicled below through liveblogging, which isn’t perfect, but a direct impression of the call as it occurred.
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Started late, which isn’t unusual.
Started immediately by giving a nod to Hillary Clinton.
McCain delivered an invitation for townhalls starting Federal Hall, NYC, June
12th. President Kennedy and Sen. Goldwater invitation, even to fly to NY together.
Senator Obama continues to deny the surge is not succeeding, in direct conflict
with facts on the ground. Obama has “never requested to get a briefing
from Gen. Petraeus.” Proves “lack of judgment” that Americans
won’t agree with.
Question: Are townhalls meant to get Senator Obama out of his comfort zone.
Do you consider in changing your speaking style.
McCain: I think it’s the best format. “I don’t think they want to hear
long speeches.” People want to participate. When people leave they’re happy.
… …
Question: Readers said to “loosen up.”
McCain: Received emails thanking him for a speech of substance. “I’ve
got to be substance, not length.”
Question: Obama represents an historic candidacy. Do you worry about outside
groups or state groups making race an issue?
McCain: I’ve pledged to conduct my campaign in an honorable way. Can’t control
527s. Then brings up MoveOn.org and the “General Betray Us” ad. Segues
immediately to Obama wanting to meet with Ahmadinejad and Chavez. “Can’t
be a referee.” I ask Obama to condemn that ad. He was in the Senate, but
didn’t vote.
Question: About keeping the campaign respectful, when you challenge conservatives
you use language of the left.
McCain: I fundamentally disagree with your premise. I’ll treat everyone with
respect. “That’s what the American people want.”
–Here a back forth broke out because questioner Quin Hillyer of The Examiner who accused McCain
of using “nativist” and “Jim Crow”. Operator took him out
of the loop… then you could hear McCain asking about the “Jim Crow”
comment and was a bit surprised by the charge.
McCain: In answer to a question about the gay marriage amendment in California,
McCain responded that marriage is between man and woman. States have a right
to do what they want. McCain agrees with the amendment.
Question: Quoted Obama’s speech ending. “Was the moment that we began
caring for the sick?” Any way to bring your opponent “back down to
earth.”
McCain: Laughing.. This is the reason McCain wants townhall meetings. Americans
want to know “specifics,” which is why townhalls are important. How
illuminating is a long speech. I admire his skills and abilities and congratulate
him on his success, but people think the country is not on the right track.
Obama is “the most liberal and partisan in the US Senate.” “Very
thin resume.
Question: You declined two evangelical pastors endorsements. Juan Hernendez
has made controversial statements. Why reject conservatives, but not Juan Hernendez?
McCain: In the other cases, even Hagee apologized. Right thing to do. Tough
decision because respect for both, but can’t have statements made that he cannot
afford to be associated with. –a second question about Hernendez’s “Mexico
first” and “open borders.” He takes advice from many people,
even those he doesn’t agree with. I will be glad to examine any statement. I
don’t know what he said specifically. I’ll be glad to look at any statement
that is offensive or wrong. If the disagreement is strong enough I will ask
them to remove their support.
Question: Obama went before AIPAC to say the Iranian National Guard as a terrorist
org. But didn’t vote for Kyl-Lieberman.
McCain: Obama has switched on various number of issues. “Remarkable on
this one.” He made statements on troop levels. Now he goes before AIPAC
to change his position. Tries to change his position on Ahmadinejad. He’s changing
on the surge. “I don’t think the American people will buy it, to tell you
the truth.” He said Bush could use Kyl-Lieberman to attack Iran. His website
says “reckless justification to attack Iran.” It shows he doesn’t
have the experience or knowledge” to make the decisions needed. Americans
won’t fall for it. On the surge, it’s not the “categorical condemnation”
it once was. I hope he goes to Iraq and meets with Gen. Petraeus. No “objective”
observer believes the surge is not succeeding. Obama’s going to have to discuss
this at some length. We will see further progress. We will see what Gen. Petraeus
says in July.
–end call–
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