Feb 21 The Honeymoon Is Over

Second law of the major media when covering politics; the Republican that acts the most like a Democrat (and gives the best interviews) gets treated well.

First law: When that Republican actually has to compete with a Democrat, disregard the Second Law.

As I predicted the moment Mac became the front-runner, the Times has broken out the slime against McCain. SaveRead it for yourself; past the resurrection of “The Keating Five” as an issue, it’s thin gruel as smear jobs go.

Especially given what Ed notes:

Well, you have to read past the rehash of the Keating Five scandal of the mid-1980s, past a strange accusation involving McCain’s use of direct flights from Washington to Phoenix, and past his crusade to clean up Washington through the BCRA (which I adamantly opposed and still do) to get to the Slimes’ sourcing. It turns out that they talked to two anonymous former staffers — neither of whom allege that the relationship actually became romantic — and who describe themselves as disgruntled.

Great sourcing there, guys. Way to corroborate a non-story. I guess Lucy Ramirez must have been hard to find this time around.

Gateway Pundit adds:

f there was ever a moment that clarifies the grotesque bias of the media leading New York Times it is this moment.
Their fair-haired Republican is the front runner for President. And, suddenly after years of kissie-kissie there appears a Maverick hit piece.
The love affair is over.
Done.

And, there’s only one way for the Maverick to bring back that loving feeling…

…Lose in November.

That, indeed, is the Prime Directive of media coverage of Republicans; the only good one is a retired one.

Cross-posted at Shot in the Dark.