Perception and Reality

Michael Isikoff reports that the guy John McCain picked to run the GOP convention has done some lobbying for the military junta that rules Burma. Then there's this dissonant element of the analysis: "But some allies worry that Goodyear's selection could fuel perceptions that McCain—who has portrayed himself as a crusader against special interests—is surrounded by lobbyists."

But it's not just a perception that McCain is surrounded by lobbyists, he's actually surrounded by lobbyists. This is a quantifiable reality of McCain's campaign -- it's chock full 'o lobbyists.

Comments

So, Matt, why not contact Isikoff and ask him what up? For better or worse the responsibility falls on the blogosphere to keep the MSM honest.

Posted by BryklynLibrul | May 11, 2008 9:47 AM

To borrow from an old Rodney Dangerfield line:

If you look up the word hypocrite in the dictionary, you will see McCain's picture.

Posted by Rich | May 11, 2008 9:47 AM

He's already gone.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/05/gop_convention_chair_canned_ov.php

Gotta say this for 'em: they're no Mark Penns.

Posted by brooksfoe | May 11, 2008 9:51 AM

Matt: Wander down the hall and tell your friend Ambinder that "it's not just a perception that McCain is surrounded by lobbyists, he's actually surrounded by lobbyists." In his post on the same event, he says these kinds of things are bad "optics" for McCain. But why are they optics? (Which means: how it looks, not now it is.) Why not: these things show how McCain operates? I know "optics" makes one sound more pundity and analytical, but still...

Ambinder doesn't have comments; you do. See An Optics Problem For McCain.

Posted by Jay Rosen | May 11, 2008 12:44 PM

Matt, you have clearly failed to understand the Dharma of the Straight Talk: McCain's strengths are matter of unchallenged fact, while his putative weaknesses are a matter of appearance, optics, suggestion, partisan insinuation, or opinion in general. This is fundamental.

Posted by Ben | May 11, 2008 2:40 PM

McCain's a "war hero" - and we all know "war heroes" can't have negatives.

Until McCain is gutted on this "war hero" crap, he's going to be the next President.

Get on it.

Posted by Richard Steven Hack | May 11, 2008 6:55 PM

Bob Dole's war hero rep wasn't gutted, and he lost the presidency.

Posted by Rich | May 12, 2008 12:01 AM