Despite Favorable Coverage, McCain Blasts New York TimesRandy Shawbyline‚ Aug. 05‚ 2008“If the shareholders of the New York Times ever wonder why the paper's ad revenue is plummeting and its share price tanking, they need look no further than the hysterical reaction of the paper's editors to any slight, real or imagined, against their preferred candidate.” -- McCain campaign spokesman Michael Goldfarb The expression “working the refs” refers to basketball coaches badgering referees in the hope of influencing future calls, or politicians complaining about unfair media coverage to win favorable future stories. This explains why John McCain, who has gotten extremely positive news coverage in the New York Times, publicly attacked the paper’s editors last week. McCain’s criticism seeks to keep the paper’s news division working in his favor, “balancing” the Times’ editorial stands. And this strategy appears to be working. While much of the traditional media criticized McCain for lying about Obama’s planned troop visit in Germany, his silly ads comparing the Democrat to Britney and Paris, and his attempt to make the election about race, the Times’ news coverage remained solidly in the Republican’s favor. |