On the Media: Commentary by James Rainey

October 20, 2008

ON THE MEDIA

John McCain is at arm's length, no longer off the cuff

A couple thousand people saw John McCain at a rally here last week. But the national media was not among them. Reporters were stuck behind some bleachers -- with no view of the stage.

September 20, 2008

ON THE MEDIA

Todd and Sarah Palin unchallenged in Fox interviews

Fox News tough guy Sean Hannity assured us this week he would press Sarah Palin for real answers -- no going easy on the woman who could be the next vice president of the United States.

September 18, 2008

ON THE MEDIA

Financial crisis fails to get its just due with TV talking heads

It's hard to know where to start in dissecting the inane debate on the economic crisis that has dominated the presidential race in recent days.

September 12, 2008

COMMENTARY / ON THE MEDIA

New election low: distorting the fact-checking

The Sept. 11 memorial bells chimed with beautiful clarity Thursday, from Shanksville, Pa., to ground zero and beyond, a reminder of tragedy and our nation's real enemies.

July 3, 2008

ON THE MEDIA

Pre-Fourth campaign news: lots of fireworks, little meat

My colleagues at Yahoo News and the Associated Press bring you this blockbuster in time for the holiday weekend: Americans would rather have Barack Obama than John McCain at their summer cookout.

June 26, 2008

ON THE MEDIA

Time to make candidates answer on Iraq

If you go to the Republican National Committee's website, you can watch the clock labeled "Days Since Barack Obama Visited Iraq." Tick, tick, tick. Nearly 900 days and counting.

June 13, 2008

ON THE MEDIA

Mainstream media not jumping on the political rumor bandwagon

Call me quaint and old-fashioned, but I give most of the mainstream media a hearty pat on the back for refusing to spread the inflammatory and thoroughly unsubstantiated rumor that Michelle Obama once railed against "whitey" from a pulpit.

June 12, 2008

ON THE MEDIA

In campaigns, as in basketball, the refs get worked

Phil Jackson huffed along the sidelines and unleashed a post-game rant: His Lakers were manhandled, but the Celtics got all the calls.

June 4, 2008

ON THE MEDIA

Bill Clinton and John McCain share a problem

If Vanity Fair's current takedown of former President Clinton is any measure, a new standard of campaign journalism has taken root: We will now learn not just about politicians who have affairs. We will learn about politicians whose associates are afraid they might be having affairs.

June 3, 2008

ON THE MEDIA

Campaign reporters have a nose for conflict -- real or imagined

Somewhere inside the brain of the presidential campaign reporter lies a huge lobe devoted to recognizing conflict.

May 30, 2008

ON THE MEDIA

McCain's Web gap is showing

The video lasts just more than three minutes. But that's long enough to raise some nasty doubts about John McCain's reputation as a straight talker.