Strike Two for the Times
posted at 6:00 pm on March 7, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Well, I know that people have waited for John McCain to blow his top on the campaign trail, but if this is what they wanted, I think those folks are in for some disappointment. The New York Times and other news agencies have passed this around the blogosphere as some sort of eruption, but I’ve seen priests with less equanimity during Mass than this:
I agree with Michelle about learning a lesson in dealing with the mainstream media. Obviously Elizabeth Bumiller wanted to trip his circuits; she pulls out a story in 2004 about the invitation from John Kerry to join his ticket, hoping to get a reaction. She’s not looking out for his best interests, quite obviously, but trying to be deliberately provocative. After all, wouldn’t that be a question to ask before he had sewn up the nomination?
But his reaction seems rather mild, under the circumstances. He’s annoyed, sure, but hardly spitting and cursing. By the time she asks “Why are you so angry?”, the question is so inappropriate that he asks her to repeat it — and she declines, hopefully out of embarrassment.
Interestingly, the Times now has tried twice to get his goat, and for the second time, they’ve wound up with egg on their face.
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Crank.
Et tu Brute on March 7, 2008 at 6:02 PM
He doesn’t seem that angry to me. What’s the big deal?
bnelson44 on March 7, 2008 at 6:03 PM
More snippy than angry I would think.
But a crank nonetheless.
Et tu Brute on March 7, 2008 at 6:05 PM
If I was a candidate and a reporter that is traveling with me and treated me that way would no longer be traveling with me.
cjs1943 on March 7, 2008 at 6:06 PM
Get calmer as fools get wilder.
Basic rule for survival.
profitsbeard on March 7, 2008 at 6:07 PM
Oh come on. This is just the youtube generation in action. Its something that would never be a story before, but now that every single action is under scrutiny, they’re trying to make a story out of nothing. You think Ol’ Billy never got mad at a reporter?
jimmy the notable on March 7, 2008 at 6:09 PM
I’m just wondering why he would continue to surround himself with these a$$-clowns who, on every attempt, are trying to trip him up.
I am not a McVain supporter by far, and I am still waiting to see who his VP pick is, what his platform is, etc., but he represents my side (for what it’s worth) in this fight, and when I see these continuous assaults,……. it kinda, ……..um, …….you know, is starting to piss me off, and I want to have the guys back.
This is a really wierd feeling…….. supporting McVain???
Seven Percent Solution on March 7, 2008 at 6:12 PM
McCain was too kind to her and was rather reserved. He should have thrown her worthless butt out at the next stop. Her behavior was typical of that leftist rag, The New York Times.
rplat on March 7, 2008 at 6:13 PM
What sheltered land of deference and tea parties does this silly woman inhabit? He was barely short with her. If she worked any job dealing with the general public for a week, she’d see a dozen people more angry and rude than he was.
trubble on March 7, 2008 at 6:13 PM
NEW YORK TIMES HEADLINE TOMORROW: McCain Pulls Gun On Girl Scout
THE CHOSEN ONE on March 7, 2008 at 6:14 PM
Isn’t this strike three, after the birthplace piece?
shibumiglass on March 7, 2008 at 6:15 PM
Please. The Bumiller “Why are you so angry?” was her second attempt to get him angry, or get a quote she could paint as angry when she wrote her planned hit piece.
Karl on March 7, 2008 at 6:16 PM
The New York Times should consider themselves lucky that McCain even lets them on the plane after their last piece of slander against him.
irish_infidel on March 7, 2008 at 6:17 PM
They must really want to see him win because all this does is endear him to the average American.
TheBigOldDog on March 7, 2008 at 6:18 PM
Snippy yes, but score one for McCain – mainly because of how he finished it off. I’d love to think he was cleverly stringing her along for the final blow, but I don’t think he’s that masterful.
Buy Danish on March 7, 2008 at 6:18 PM
It’s pseudo journalist like this that really need a good smack down.
He should have asked her, “Look, what’s wrong with you?” “Did you wake up and have a bowl of Stupid for breakfast?”
Kini on March 7, 2008 at 6:18 PM
None of this will matter in November.
Juan is going to get pulled apart like warm bread by the Dhimmis come the general election.
Et tu Brute on March 7, 2008 at 6:18 PM
Heck, he gets madder at conservatives over things like our opposition to: Shamnesty, his vote against the Bush tax cuts {despite his revisionist twit Mark McKinnon spin of “b/c of no balance with cuts,” yeah, we’re stupid and have no memories – thus digression} and his “reaching across the aisle” via the gang of fourteen, etc., for goodness sakes!
Branch Rickey on March 7, 2008 at 6:19 PM
It appears John McCain has a temper,to a degree most of
us do,just some of us can control it better,New York
times is just trying to wind McCain up.
However,I don’t want to see McCain in a debate loosing
his cool,sorta like in the movie “The Caine Mutiny”
were Humphrey Bogart plays Captain McQueeg who snaps
under pressure!
canopfor on March 7, 2008 at 6:22 PM
LOL…that was funny!
ihasurnominashun on March 7, 2008 at 6:23 PM
Ok, he didn’t go “ballistic,” but he was visibly agitated over a question…a question! The manner in which it was asked was quite docile, and McCain begins a mantra of “everyone knew we had a conversation, everyone knew we had a conversation, everyone knew we had a conversation.” I watched the video and thought his answer, as well as the way he answered, was very strange.
Weight of Glory on March 7, 2008 at 6:24 PM
If she thinks this is McCain “angry” then she obviously hasn’t spent much time around McCain.
AZCoyote on March 7, 2008 at 6:24 PM
I think the only appropriate comment to this post is Booyah!
yeff on March 7, 2008 at 6:25 PM
I think the only appropriate comment to this post is Booyah!
yeff on March 7, 2008 at 6:25 PM
The New York Times is a circus, and Elisabeth Bumiller is a clown.
jaime on March 7, 2008 at 6:25 PM
As I mentioned over at Michelle’s signature site, someone is going to push the right button and old Juan is going to give them what they have been prodding for, purple rage. In my estimation, it’s not if but when.
Zorro on March 7, 2008 at 6:29 PM
Getting harassed and hammered by the press is the best thing that could happen to McCain.
oldvannes on March 7, 2008 at 6:30 PM
The paper of record my ass.
SoulGlo on March 7, 2008 at 6:30 PM
nbc nightly news has this on in a minute, and the leadin makes it sound like he has totally flipped out lol
i saw this earlier today and he is rather reserved imo.
trailortrash on March 7, 2008 at 6:33 PM
General Honore for VP. Or Press Secretary.
CrimsonFisted on March 7, 2008 at 6:35 PM
I never meant 2 cause u any sorrow
I never meant 2 cause u any pain
I only wanted 2 one time see u laughing
I only wanted 2 see u laughing at my purple RAGE
Kini on March 7, 2008 at 6:35 PM
Unlike you, I am dying for a Republican who won’t take the media’s bleep. I’ve had 8 years of eating it and I’mm full up to here with it. If they are going to practice dishonest gotcha journalism over ancient history on one side of the isle only, I want them bunched in the nose.
Tell me how many “gotcha” questions they’ve asked Obama. Hell they won’t even ask him about Rezko but they’ll print a BS hit piece on McCain that even the Moonbast couldn’t defend.
You want another punching bag in the oval office then good luck to you.
TheBigOldDog on March 7, 2008 at 6:37 PM
It would have been great if, in response to Bumiller’s ‘I read an old article in the NYT’s”, he’d just said “Well, your second mistake was believing it.”
Dusty on March 7, 2008 at 6:37 PM
The reporter seems more angry than McCain
Dollayo on March 7, 2008 at 6:37 PM
I wanted to see how pmsnbc would respond. They ran the piece without mentioning which paper. Kind of crucial information being withheld there.
THE CHOSEN ONE on March 7, 2008 at 6:40 PM
I think McCain handled that very well. Notice how the pimpette from the Times tried to goad him by saying “I dont know why you’re angry” when what he was was INSISTENT.
Maybe the Times doesnt know the difference between being FIRM and being angry. Heck, I guess if you dont agree with what a Times Pimpette is accusing you of, I guess that makes you prima facie angry in their alternate universe.
Every day, in every day, I am so glad I dont get that rag left on my doorstep any more.
Always Right on March 7, 2008 at 6:40 PM
I WANT to see they guy who is going to be pres get mad, tired of all this PC crap that we have to deal with.
TroubledMonkey on March 7, 2008 at 6:40 PM
it’s The New York Times – what can I say?
TooTall on March 7, 2008 at 6:41 PM
I was listening to the press conference from Chapel Hill, NC about that coed who was killed. It’s painfully clear that the dinosaur media are idiots. The questions were just dumb and stupid and elementary to say the least.
McCain wasn’t angry. He was clearly annoyed, but look who he’s dealing with. The NYT needs to ask Michelle Obama why she’s so angry.
SouthernGent on March 7, 2008 at 6:42 PM
Comment of the day.
shibumiglass on March 7, 2008 at 6:44 PM
I’m with you 100%. In this day and age, the WH doesn’t need the media to reach the people. Let them have their own cable channel and websites and tell us what they have to say. If we don’t like it, we won’t vote for them again. I think the msm ought to be frozen out by Republicans.
JiangxiDad on March 7, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Are you kidding! McCain is now the one who stands for standing up to the Press! You’re looking to him to relieve that pressure valve you got about “gotcha” journalism. McCain has been doing everything he could these past eight years to provide ammo for the Times and the WaPo to constantly ask those gotcha questions of Bush and Rumsfled and Cheney, et-al that begin with variations of this phrase, “even some staunch Republicans, such as the senator of Arizona, disapprove of_______ (fill in the blank).” So now that J-Mac is getting the “gotcha” question treatment, I’m supposed to be impressed? Please.
Weight of Glory on March 7, 2008 at 6:48 PM
I know what you mean. I’ve been opposed to him getting the nomination from the start, and am very disappointed he got it. However the over the top attacks on the guy (here and elsewhere) have actually improved my view of him at least a little. I’m not happy with much of what he’s done, but he’s not the left-of-Hillary socialist madman that some would have us believe.
Hollowpoint on March 7, 2008 at 6:49 PM
The New York Times, all the news to wrap fish in.
Kini on March 7, 2008 at 6:49 PM
What gets me is how the liberal blogs have picked up on the ‘testy’ McCain story and acted like they had never heard a man stand his ground before. OH. nevermind
ilitigant on March 7, 2008 at 6:52 PM
I’m not interested in looking in the review mirror. I am looking out the windshield. You should too or you might find yourself wrapped around a tree wondering how it happened.
TheBigOldDog on March 7, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Also, for those McCain supporters who see this video as, “finally a Republican standing up to the Press” you might want to consider the subject matter of the question she was asking. Geez.
Weight of Glory on March 7, 2008 at 6:53 PM
So that’s it, huh? You decry a condition of gotcha journalism, a journalistic climate that McCain has thrived in for eight years, while doing what he could to help nurture it, and in response to me pointing that out, I’m treated to a car analogy involving windshields and mirrors.
Weight of Glory on March 7, 2008 at 6:57 PM
Who gives a flying fig what the question was? Maybe he’s learned his lesson the hard way. Frankly I don;t care. I’m worried about who is going to occupy the oval office for the next 4 years and I’ll take McCain, despite all my disagreements with him in the past, over the other two. because I know deep down inside it will be 10,000X worse.
The race is over. Time to look to the future.
TheBigOldDog on March 7, 2008 at 6:58 PM
McCain nurtured it. Please I’m not ready for MDS yet. besides, the issue is not what McCain fed them, it’s they way Bush took it like a punching bag that bothers me.
TheBigOldDog on March 7, 2008 at 7:00 PM
Yep, McCain was actually talking back to the reporter and challenging her motives about an old story. Since this must happen so infrequently to press members, she saw it as some giant blow-up or melt-down. (Notice the tool photographer that jumps into place in order to capture the “rage”) What a sheltered life they lead if McCain’s response qualifies as a melt-down. For perspective sake, this is a melt-down.
Mallard T. Drake on March 7, 2008 at 7:01 PM
I imagine she practiced that line well in advance of her brilliant ambush.
Maquis on March 7, 2008 at 7:01 PM
If Elizabeth Bumiller was a conservative, McFossil would have used her as his hemorrhoid donut.
Valiant on March 7, 2008 at 7:02 PM
Unlike my own self, who should stick to cutting and pasting and not relying on his tired head to get the quote right…
Maquis on March 7, 2008 at 7:04 PM
TheBigOldDog on March 7, 2008 at 6:18 PM
I am a staunch Fredhead who was extremely disappointed with McCain winning the Republican nomination. However, the NY Slimes along with the rest of the MSM, is changing me from a reluctant supporter of McCain into someone who is willing to work to get out the vote for McCain.
dawgyear on March 7, 2008 at 7:08 PM
MDS? I’m unimpressed with this “Quixotic” stand against the Press, and all of a sudden I’m deranged? The point about the subject matter of the question, something that you say doesn’t matter to you, goes right to the heart of the matter. It was about his past friction with the base. It was a question designed to remind as many people as possible about McCain’s tendency to be adverse to the very base he now needs. And it was apparent that McCain didn’t want anyone to be reminded of it. Now, I don’t want a punching bag either, and trust me Bigolddog, I’ve been wanting a smack down of the press by one of our guys for a very very very long time. But my pressure valve hasn’t been released by this “stance” McCain has taken against this TImes reporter.
Weight of Glory on March 7, 2008 at 7:09 PM
I think he should have sat down, bent her over his knee, and spanked her, then sold the video on “Candidate Gone Wild”.
I actually hope the reporterette was actually trying to get McCain angry… Could things really be so bucolic in the NYT newsroom these days that brief firmness is perceived as anger?
darkpixel on March 7, 2008 at 7:10 PM
The more the Times attacks this guy, the more I like him. They don’t seem to realize that the worst thing they could do to this guy is praise him for stuff that pisses conservatives off.
AbaddonsReign on March 7, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Shorter John McCain: “Elizabeth, FYNQ.”
Laura on March 7, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Glenn Beck said on his TV show the other night during the election coverage that the Times trying to take him down was the best thing that could have happened to him. It’s causing people like you, and even me to close ranks around him. I’m the type of person that gives credit where it’s due, even to someone on the Left, and even to McCain. They are clearly trying to take him down now that he’s the nominee.
bikermailman on March 7, 2008 at 7:14 PM
Classic…the MSM cheered him on for 10 years with his “Maverick” ways…now they’re trying to use it to hang him.
Jim-Rose on March 7, 2008 at 7:18 PM
McCain should answer to the substance of the question. By all accounts, he was ready to switch parties and jump on the Kerry ticket.
For this reason and Avogadro’s Number of others, he will never get my vote.
Valiant on March 7, 2008 at 7:19 PM
This may not be totally professional or even advisable, but if I was Mav, I’d kick the NYT off my plane at the next stop, refuse to credential another reporter from there ever again, and tell my press shop that the next person who talks to a Times reporter will be fired out of a giant potato gun over the Grand Canyon.
Thats petulant and probably unworkable, I know. But it was cathartic to write it.
Short of all that, it would cost nothing for Mav to start bagging on the Times at every speech and put their reporters on the Zoo plane.
Mike D. on March 7, 2008 at 7:21 PM
My god…he’s a Monster! Oh, wait-that’s off the record.
token on March 7, 2008 at 7:21 PM
Try watch the video clip again, this time all the way to the end. He did answer the question and offered a concise summary of the issue.
Mallard T. Drake on March 7, 2008 at 7:26 PM
Elisabeth Bumiller, the
reporterpartisan hack, becomes the story.Blackacre on March 7, 2008 at 7:28 PM
i would say that this is unbefreakinglieveably GREAT that the truth is on video.
it proves beyond any doubt that th4e nytimes doesn’t report the facts and cares not one whit about the truth.
they are a bunch of left-wing gormandizers.
scum.
bumiller is one of the lowest forms of life on the plant.
so she’s at home there at the nytimes.
reliapundit on March 7, 2008 at 7:29 PM
So does this rule out Lieberman as McCain’s running mate?
Jay on March 7, 2008 at 7:29 PM
It’s totally professional, and advisable, and patriotic, and some other good things. But Maverick likes the media and them.
JiangxiDad on March 7, 2008 at 7:30 PM
He categorically denies it only after saying he will not disclose the contents of a private conversation. What about his potential party switch in 2001? The guy is damaged goods.
Valiant on March 7, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Go McCain!
Now who would call him at 3am? >:D
Bwwahahha!!!
Chakra Hammer on March 7, 2008 at 7:33 PM
Valiant, he did reject Kerry’s offers.
Chakra Hammer on March 7, 2008 at 7:34 PM
Um, my vote is you won all the points. Kudos! – stay strong. MDS? Whatever.
Branch Rickey on March 7, 2008 at 7:35 PM
Irritated……not angry. Screw the reporter. She got exactly what she deserved.
geminicontender on March 7, 2008 at 7:36 PM
I thought this was silly when I saw the clip on FNC. I still do. It is so pathetically obvious that this reporter (and I use the term loosely) was trying to “gin-up” a story. Better luck next time.
On another subject: I also admit to being more comfortable with McCain as the nominee since the NYT started hassling him.
HawaiiLwyr on March 7, 2008 at 7:37 PM
McCain went to Daschle to switch parties!
He has done nothing to show he will not betray us if elected because he plans on betraying conservatives at every opportunity. He believes he can win with Dems and independents so let him sell the country out without conservative help!
Valiant on March 7, 2008 at 7:41 PM
by all accounts?? the ones in the NYT? he just denied it, no if ands or buts, you have a quote from Kerry or anyone else who was there on the record saying otherwise?
didn’t think so
windansea on March 7, 2008 at 7:41 PM
Oh I’m so disappointed I didn’t win on your scorecard but I’m already over it.
You better get your head around what’s in store for this country with president Obama or Clinton. You may not have any problem helping them but I do. I’m funny like that.
TheBigOldDog on March 7, 2008 at 7:44 PM
So vote for Obama or Clinton and be assured of being bent over.
People do realize the primaries are over right? I mean even Paul has dropped out at this point.
TheBigOldDog on March 7, 2008 at 7:49 PM
Somebody is lying.
Only a fool would vote for a traitor like this.
Valiant on March 7, 2008 at 7:50 PM
Are you voting for Obama or Hillary?
TheBigOldDog on March 7, 2008 at 7:52 PM
The primaries are over and the RINOs need your support to put their man over the top and forsake everything conservative.
I choose a united defense against a liberal Dem president than quarterback on the take for the other team who the sheep in the party are required to supportfor nothing in return.
Valiant on March 7, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Its a very relevant issue…the republican nominee was considering running as the Vp of the democratic nominee…a senator who was the most liberal in the senate.
The tragedy is that the NYT waited until after this democrat-in-republican’s clothing, this lieberman type, this global-warming-hoax-denier became the republican nominee.
Roger Waters on March 7, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Dude, I have survived Carter as a governor and a president. I think we can all handle these two boneheads. The Obama and Czarina CAN be beaten if we have Conservative Leadership AND Consistency of Principles (AND actions!) in congress and on the state level. Sometimes you are funny.
Branch Rickey on March 7, 2008 at 7:53 PM
Is the question really that hard? You obviously are not voting for McCain because I assume you don’t consider yourself a fool, so are you voting for Hillbama or not voting at all?
TheBigOldDog on March 7, 2008 at 7:56 PM
We can stop their socialism with a united defense. We are powerless against the Bush/McFossil face of socialism.
Valiant on March 7, 2008 at 7:58 PM
Fabulous!!!!
Branch Rickey on March 7, 2008 at 7:58 PM
Constitution Party.
Valiant on March 7, 2008 at 7:58 PM
Dog, all my points had to do with McCain’s reaction in this clip and the idea that it shows his willingness to stand up to the Press. It has nothing to do with the larger issue of McCain as the nominee, or whether or not he’s better than Clinton or Obama. But after eight years of watching press conf. after press conf. with the likes of Gregory and Thomas asking the same freaking questions over and over and over again, I don’t see this example of the NYT’s reporter bringing up an old story about a conversation between McCain and Kerry, as something uniquely offensive, nor McCain’s response as anything uniquely brave, indicating a “lessons learned” attitude. I never rallied around a politician because the Media ganged up on him; rather I rallied around the politician for the reasons why the Press was ganging up on him.
Weight of Glory on March 7, 2008 at 7:59 PM
Well, I’m not anxious to relive the Carter years thank you very much. Perhaps you enjoyed stagflation, 18% mortgage rates and a nation so weak the Ayatollah nightly gave us the finger and told Carter he was too much of a coward to do anything about it (and he was right).
You can’t beat them with nothing. Your choice is McCain or Hillbama, so I’ll ask you, who are you voting for or will you simply stay home?
TheBigOldDog on March 7, 2008 at 7:59 PM
I agree with Michelle, that was a set up. Why else would a “professional” journalist say, “Can I ask why you’re so angry?” She said it without conviction because she knew that she’d failed to set him off.
G.W. had a reputation for having a short temper when he ran for governor of Texas, and the same trick back fired on Ma Richards when she tried to exploit it. To me McCain came across as a real and likable guy in the clip — but I’m still voting for none of the above.
srhoades on March 7, 2008 at 8:00 PM
hahahahahah
funky chicken on March 7, 2008 at 8:01 PM
At least you are only helping Hillbama indirectly. Who’s their candidate James Madison?
TheBigOldDog on March 7, 2008 at 8:02 PM
Good luck uniting behind the Constitution party. Let me know how that works out for you.
TheBigOldDog on March 7, 2008 at 8:05 PM
I hope so, he’s younger than McFossil.
Valiant on March 7, 2008 at 8:05 PM
I hate to keep doing this, but Valiant is a stooge of the
Ted Sampley/VVAJMC/ criminals who defraud military families by lying that there are still live POWs in Vietnam. McCain tried to put an end to this scummy behavior and from that point on these people have peddled lies about McCain being a “traitor.”
Absolute, utter scumbags, the lot of them.
If you want a good, honest, military professional’s take on this crap, see http://www.miafacts.org. It’s a huge site and reflects years of work put in by a retired Colonel who served tours in Vietnam and later as a senior officer working MIA issues.
funky chicken on March 7, 2008 at 8:07 PM
Haven’t decided yet. It’s not even St. Patrick’s Day. McCain may have a major, actual Conservative conversion; he may pick a decent Veep; none of the Dems; haven’t check the rest out yet. But for right now, 4 years of Carter and 8 years of Reagan sound better then 8 years of McVain and Crist and L. Graham and global warming {from OUR side???}; etc.
November not here yet….
Branch Rickey on March 7, 2008 at 8:07 PM
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