I assume Obama is running a flawless campaign, seeing how he has never been grilled by the media on any issue. "Spread the wealth around" is flawless, as is his method of using tax credits to create fake tax cuts for the middle class.
McCain deserves scrutiny, but I think it is disengenuous to say the media is "doing its job" when Obama has yet to be pressed by that same media to answer the tough questions.

Hi Tom, Obama is not the one (as opposed to "that one") who is using the tactics of Joe McCarthy to try and smear his opponent's reputation. That would be McCain and his reckless running mate, Sarah Palin. Thanks. Z

It isn't the media's fault that McCain looks old and cannot complete a sentence; lies repeatedly; fails to repudiate racism espoused on behalf of his own campaign; repeats empty talking points ad nauseam; and has a running mate who's little more than a mynah bird. He's sold his soul and doesn't deserve to be president. The media is simply noting these facts.

McCain's big TV problem is the fact that most TV journalists are solidly in the Obama camp.

Anyone observing the difference between the questions asked of McCain and those asked of Obama (typical question: "Tell us how you and Michelle met?") will understand the media bias when it comes to coverage of the election.

Here's a for-instance: When it comes to McCain's association with Ayers, his robo-response is "I was eight years old when he was doing those despicable things" (paraphrasing).

Can you name one TV interviewer who has followed up with the logical question, "Well, if you were well aware of Ayers' involvement with domestic terrorism, then why would you choose to associate with him? Why would launch your political career in his home?"

The media can pretend that it is unbiased all day long. But there are very few people in the national press who aren't clearly in the pro-Obama camp. Andrea Mitchell's off-camera remarks are just one example of this.

You guys commenting about not vetting of Ayers must have missed the whole primary election. Obama's "association" was with Bill Ayers "The College Professor". Not Bill Ayers "The 60's Radical" now better known as a Domestic Terrorist. Who BTW is NOT in Jail. go to factcheck(dot)org and search for Ayers. Get all the facts. Don't be spoon fed by Faux Noise, or any News Media for that matter. http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/he_lied_about_bill_ayers.html

I'm sorry, David, but I disagree. The press is at the root of all the problems Mr. McCain is having in his campaign. When Tina Fey started her skit Saturday night by exclaiming her excitement at meeting with the "democratic elite media as well as the democratic regular media" she hit the nail right on the head. The press has had a torrid love affair with Barack Obama since the day he announced his candidacy for the democratic nomination.

You want proof. Talk to Ron Smith about the statistic he read last week that showed during the first five weeks following John McCain's annoucement about Sarah Palin, Late Night talk shows made 286 jokes with Republicans as the punch line, and only 42 with Democrats as a punch line. Also, look back to the end of last season on Saturday Night Live and the skit that they did with Obama and Hilary Clinton where they lobbed softballs at Barack Obama ("Are you made at me?" and "Did you get my message?: as opposed the complicated foreign policy questions posed to Hillary Clinton.

I realize that was just a skit, but the point is art has really imitated life in this election, and the media's love affair with Barack Obama has been fodder for comics all over the country. Say what you want about how McCain is losing this election on his own, but the liberal media, including yourself, is not doing him many favors by drooling over Obama.

Well what is not true in saying that Obama is having relationships with Bill Ayers. It is a fact and nobody can deny it.
Also why nobody from the media asking Obama what kind of influence his spiritual adviser, and Obama called him that in his first book, Rev Right has on him.
Nobody can deny that Rev Right American hater and rassist. So for 20 years Barak was listening to him and nobody asking him that.
Media is in a tank for Barak and they will regret it.

@Johhny Jones.

Just like you can pretend the media is "liberal" all day long.

Only people like you believe this, and you are far in the minority.

Media bias in double doses! Wow

You know none of this would have happened if the mainstream media had properly vetted Obama to begin with. If it was done a year ago then McCain/Palin wouldn't have to be talking about it this late in the campaign. Clearly it is an issue that is resonating with the public, which is mainly due to the fact that they are first hearing about it now. Also what about Obama's connections with ACORN?? I don't hear anything about that on your blog or your reporting of the mainstream media.

Get with the program Z and don't let your bias warp your journalistic integrity because it clearly has shown through with your writing. It's all very ironic that your biased writing doesn't even see the bias of the mainstream media.

Hi, I love it: The reason that McCain and Palin are behaving in a way that much of the press and many leaders like Colin Powell find reprehensioble is because the mainstream media didn't do its job. Splendid logic, Tyler. Splendid. Blame it on the mainstream media. Are media responsible for the economic meltdown, too? Here is an idea: Call your favorite conservative radio talk show host today and ask her or him for another simple-minded explanation for all things bad that are happening today. Z

Obama has explained this many times. Others who "palled around" with Ayers on the Annenberg board include Arnold R. Weber, former president of Northwestern University, and apointee of both Nixon and Reagan - and donor to the John McCain 2008 presidential campaign, Stanley Ikenberry, a former president of the University of Illinois system; Ray Romero, a vice president of Ameritech; Susan Crown, a philanthropist; Handy Lindsey, the president of the Field Foundation of Illinois; and Wanda White, the executive director of the Community Workshop for Economic Development.

Also note that McCain-Palin claim Obama "is involved with terrorists".

Since they admit he has no relationship with Ayers of any kind now - why the present tense?

And why the plural?

Any why has no-one - other than letterman- asked McCain about his terrorist buddy G. Gordon Liddy?

The press is not doing it's job! and that is exactly why McCain and Palin have to raise the issue of Ayers. They have to bring it to the attention of Americans because there is a world view that he represents that is anti-American, radical and reprehensible. While Obama was eight years old when the bombings occured, he was not eight years old when a 50 something Ayers stood on the American flag. Ayers is unrepentant . He should be in jail with Timothy Mcveigh. Obama's association with him is much more than same neighborhood, same board. Obama is not Ayers but Obama is too accepting of and apologetic to these radical views. Obama who has steered extreme left in his politics, political dialogue and associations is now trying to pose as a moderate and lie to do so. The press has given him a free pass. Any reference to these associations is "racist", "mean spirited", and "negative campaigning". Who is Barack Obama? The American people do not know. We know the image he wants to project and we know the media obviously like and defend that image. I have more negative information about a plumber in Ohio who had the nerve to criticize Obama's tax plan then I do Obama himself. It is the height of hypocrisy for David Zurick to say that the mainstream press is doing it's job.

Wow, another guy who wants to believe the shameless tactics of Palin and McCain on the press. I thought conservatives believced in taking responsibility for their actions - not blaming others. Z

Well, I'm an independent, and I intend to vote for Obama. But I think that the press has been biased in their coverage. They have been much tougher on McCain than Obama.

RE: Hi, I love it: The reason that McCain and Palin are behaving in a way that much of the press and many leaders like Colin Powell find reprehensioble is because the mainstream media didn't do its job. Splendid logic, Tyler. Splendid. Blame it on the mainstream media. Are media responsible for the economic meltdown, too? Here is an idea: Call your favorite conservative radio talk show host today and ask her or him for another simple-minded explanation for all things bad that are happening today. Z
---------

Clearly you still don't get it. If the media did its job in the first place then these "issues" would have no weight. However, since there is still some question about Ayers, et al, then McCain and Palin must bring it out in the open. Now if they didn't then they wouldn't be running an effective campaign. Sure it appears as dirty campaigning, but it has to be brought out in the open. Of course you must blame it on McCain/Palin for doing their job. Obama's campaign would do the same thing.

And thanks for illustrating your bias and how you think this is "simple-minded". You can't even see that the press is not doing its job. You and I still don't know who the real Barack Obama is. How about you write about that in your editorials.

Hi, It is the conservative talk radio bromides that are simple minded -- not your comments. But here is what I do get: It is never right to smear someone's reputation, and that is what Palin and McCain are trying to do with the "pals around with terrorists" talk. You saw how mcCain wilted when Letterman, a comedian, for goodness sakes, pressed him for "facts" or eveidence for the innuendo. And what was McCain's ultimate response: "Look, millions of words are said in campaign." Translation: He couldn't defend it. Z

Gee--I seem to remember that McCain was the darling of the press. He even called the press "my base!" Now when he gets asked a legitiamate question or two, the whining begins. And he keeps hiding Sarah Palin, of whom he is so proud, from the press because he is afraid of what she might say. The press isn't the problem, the campaign is.

It is important to remember the danger of thinking in black and white. Surely, the media is to blame for some of McCain's problems -- all of us are aware of its liberal slant. But while the media may direct skepticism toward McCain's choice of campaign tactics and running mate, McCain is the one who approves of the tactics and who chose Sarah Palin. The media and McCain must both take responsibility for their contributions to the candidate's demise.

EVERYONE LISTEN UP! Were McCain ahead 5-10+ points in late October, the chatter would be about how the darned "conservative press" is unfair and racist. Those who are losing always blame the other side rather than look inwardly at their own poor choices and bad judgment.

In politics, the best campaign wins. In America, the candidate with the most votes wins. It's actually rather simple. Don't make it so hard, people.

Having said that, I must add that the words of Colin Powell in his press conference after Meet The Press should become required reading for any and all high school and college Political Science classes. I hope John McCain was able to actually see his old friend speak as I am certain he would feel ashamed of himself and those advising him in this campaign.

It is accurate and fair to say that the media has largely become a propaganda tool for Obama. For the majority of the press, it is amply clear from their editorials and article choices that they are determined to make Obama the next president. They have done everything they can to demean McCain and Palin while publishing little about Obama and Biden, except platitudes. People should be outraged and stop reading and listening to what poses for journalism but is actually simply personal liberal blogging.

Ayers worked with Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley in shaping the city's school reform program,[28] and was one of three co-authors of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge grant proposal that in 1995 won $49.2 million over five years for public school reform.[29] In 1997 Chicago awarded him its Citizen of the Year award for his work on the project.[30] Since 1999 he has served on the board of directors of the Woods Fund of Chicago, an anti-poverty, philanthropic foundation established as the Woods Charitable Fund in 1941.[31] According to Ayers, his radical past occasionally affects him, as when, by his account, he was asked not to attend a progressive educators' conference in the fall of 2006 on the basis that the organizers did not want to risk an association with his past.[32]....according to Wikki.

Why in the wide, wide world of sports would anyone worry about interacting with someone who was once awarded Chicago's Citizen of the Year award. If that does not signify rehabilitation, I don't know what does.

If I were Obama, I would tell you to go jump off a cliff. I would say, when I met him, he was clearly rehabilitated and I am proud of him for turning his life around.

Hello, Thank you so much for providing this information. I wonder how some of the readers will react to some of the facts rather than just innuendo. Thanks again. Z

David, I appreciate your patience with some of these inane comments you get. Keep up the good work.

Hi Coleen, Thanks. I can only assume you are actually an angel of mercy taking pity on me (kidding). But thanks. Your message did give me a lift. Some of the comments have been getting a bit nastier as we get closer to the election. I can only guess what next week will be like. But it's democracy -- and it's exciting and intellectually stimulating. Thanks. Z

McCain should have picked another individual for his running mate or he should have kept the one he picked quiet. Sarah is probably a great mind, but her wild and unproven accusations about Obama...in the 60's Obama was 8 years old. Second the last thing we need is all the ugliness about racism to go full blast. I really do not believe this country, the great USA is ready for a race war on their soil. Well unless someone quiets Palin from Alaska with the inuendos that is exactly where it is leading. Secondly she must be a hypocrite, but because Jesus would never do what she is doing. How can people do bad things in the name of Our Lord and Savior. I feel sorry for her and more sorry for McCain for picking her.

John McCain is a desperate man. Desperate men do things they wouldn't normally do. His is a campaign in the gutter and relies on people who don't pay close attention. For example, watch the people behind him nod their heads as McCain lies about Joe the plumber. McCain repeatedly claims Obama went to Joe's house. The people nod their heads but the claim is a lie and McCain knows it. Joe approached Obama on the street. And so it goes. Every claim McCain makes about Joe the plumber is false or intellectually dishonest.

Hi, Joe the Plumber was a strange move. No plumbing license, and he owes back taxes. He doesn't pay his taxes, no wonder he doesn't like the tax plan. But, seriously, did anyone with McCain vet him? Also, please go back and see what I wrote about the last debate with McCain trying to dumb the entire discussion down to Joe the Plumber instead of offering us a proposed way out of the economic meltdown. But i agree totally about Joe as a desperate ploy. Thanks. Z

Its amazing how prejudice an entire media can be for such a suspect candidate. Barack Obama has more baggage than the 4:57 out of BWI, yet he is given a free pass by the ultra-leftist media. His mate, Joe Biden, shoots off his mouth about our country being attacked under an Obama presidency and that the people will not like Barack's response and his poll numbers will be low. The ultra-liberal press takes it upon itself to censor the Chia pet and reports only what they "thought" he meant. PATHETIC!!!!

I'm voting for the best American to unite us and lead us into the future.

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=303952499910291

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDVUPqoowf8

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/10/20/biden.health/

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/born_in_the_usa.html

This is hysterical ... Listen to the answers, especially when they asked people "if Obama is elected, do you have any trouble with Sara Palin being his Vice President?" Yes! You heard me right. Just listen!!!!

We are in BIG trouble - listen to this ...

http://www.bpmdeejays.com/upload/hs_sal_in_Harlem_100108.mp3

Obama has missed an opportunity with this Joe-the-plumber stuff. His comment about 'spread the wealth' was an obvious reference to trickle down economics. Except it WASN'T obvious. The gap in wealth between average and wealthy citizens grew dramatically under Reagan's regressive tax breaks. Bush has made it worse. With Americans struggling to stay afloat or falling behind, Obama should be asking 'How much wealth is trickling down to you? Or is all that wealth drying up far before it trickles down to you?' Trickle down economics was also called voodoo economics. McCain is running a voodoo campaign.

Hi Z,
You seem a bit angry. I think an unbiased review of the media would show that Obama is clearly favored. How much coverage are we getting about Obama's trip to see his Grandma named "Toot"? Where is this coverage with respect to the humanizing aspects of John McCain?

As I said in my original comment, media scrutiny is important. What I would hope is that a blog proferring itself as a review of the media would take a more critical eye to the coverage Obama is getting rather than reveling in the harsh questioning of McCain. If you can't do that, I will return when you go back to covering "Lost."

Hi Tom, This is the Web -- truth, democracy and unvarnished point of view from the people writing on it. I do not have to be phony with you. I won't insult you that way. If you want to tune me out and go elsewhere, good luck. Z

I saw her in an scripted interview last night regarding Relgion - she might want to explain what she is doing practicing witchcraft in the you tube video. She acts like we are stupid everyone has seen this video. Are we ever going to get an answer on this. I am just curious - what was she doing there?

She really is out of touch with reality. I can understand how Alaska overlooks this, but the rest of the world is not that stupid.

Sarah Palin - John McCain's new legacy

When McCain says re: Ayers that "we need to know the full relationship", I wish someone would ask him what he hopes to find.

Z on TV seems to be getting more and more partisan as the election grows closer. I encourage readers to search YouTube for the Alfred E Smith dinner speeches of each candidate. You'll see the real McCain and his true personality and his warm sense of humor and the real Obama a cold fish. Z, just tell us whats on TV and keep your politics to yourself. Your an embarrassment to journalism.

David

I have been saying for months that John McCain is running the most fundamentally unserious pres campaign in my lifetime. I said it before Palin joined the tix; I am relieved that the conservative MSM has finally noticed.
McCain always says "I approve this message", but he can not defend them when challenged. It is the recipe for losing a pres race big-time.
I ask that when it happens Republicans continue to blame the MSM for their Bush/McCain's own failings: 40 years in the wilderness coming up!

Hi, Even the MSM gets it sometimes...eventually. I'm kidding. But if you have been saying that, then I think you were ahead of the curve and right. Z

The myth of the "left leaning" media lives on...I guess Fox news is part of that with their softball questions of all things McCain/Palin and the HEAVY scrutiny of anything Obama...

Wake up people, the media is out to print and sell STORIES!!!! (But I do like you Z!!)

Watching the early show interview when McCain quickly interjected "listen to me, i'm the candidate.." he appeared uncontrolled and desperate (not a persuasive presidential technique.) No matter if its a true reflection or not, his demeanor was enough to display a troubled campaign to the american tv viewer/voter. Especially since it was an answer to a question on the economy, the issue that is most consequential, McCain's appearance failed to visually present a tough yet calm presence that American voters are looking for at this time

Isn't anybody even remotely concerned about what The One's running mate said about "you'll have to trust me and remember your committment" when the "manufactured crisis" comes? Come on - this isn't a partisan thing, this is a hint at things to come that Americans should want to know about.

Nobody likes what Pres. Bush did, even though he was widely supported at the time and had a high approval rating. Later on, Americans rightly began questioning what the devil was going on. Now we are told that not IF but WHEN this crisis comes about, we should just go with it and not question The One's methods or motives?

Folks, I understand the emotion of this particular election. But it's time to put away the slams and the sound bytes and the slurs and all the stuff that makes us feel superior to others as we count coup against the "other side".

It's time to start thinking and acting like Americans and quit accepting the stuff we are being spoon fed.

Question everything, on both sides. It's the only way to arrive at an unbiased and correct choice.

I love how you quoted General Powell. Are we both thinking of the same one? The one I am thinking of is incredibly smart, principled, informed, commanding and the only one with the credibility to convince the United Nations to give us the authorization to invade Iraq. Is that the same one you are thinking of? By the way, where did Sen Obama stand on that issue? I know you aren't going to tell me that the Great Powell compromised his own principles or was duped by the so called dumb president Bush.

I quess my question is, isn't Sen Obama compromising his own priciples by enthusiatically accepting the endorsement of the one man responsible for getting us into Iraq which he opposed?

You can blame the TV press for McCain's troubles if you want to. But the press is not the party making the robo calls -- nor is it giving voice to the innuendo sounded by Palin when she says the Democractic candidate "pals around with terrorists."

B.S. the media is doing it's job. Rather than constantly hounding McCain on his tactics they should be asking Biden what the hell he meant when he admited the US would be attacked if Obama wins the pResidency. But NO ONE ASKS BIDEN THOSE QUESTIONS BECAUSE THAT WOULD LOOK BAD FOR THE MESSIAH. Give me a break. McCain is wonderful and honest and Obama is an empty fricken suit!

You can blame the TV press for McCain's troubles if you want to. But the press is not the party making the robo calls -- nor is it giving voice to the innuendo sounded by Palin when she says the Democractic candidate "pals around with terrorists."

B.S. the media is doing it's job. Rather than constantly hounding McCain on his tactics they should be asking Biden what the hell he meant when he admited the US would be attacked if Obama wins the pResidency. But NO ONE ASKS BIDEN THOSE QUESTIONS BECAUSE THAT WOULD LOOK BAD FOR THE MESSIAH. Give me a break. McCain is wonderful and honest and Obama is an empty fricken suit!

You can blame the TV press for McCain's troubles if you want to. But the press is not the party making the robo calls -- nor is it giving voice to the innuendo sounded by Palin when she says the Democractic candidate "pals around with terrorists."

B.S. the media is doing it's job. Rather than constantly hounding McCain on his tactics they should be asking Biden what the hell he meant when he admited the US would be attacked if Obama wins the pResidency. But NO ONE ASKS BIDEN THOSE QUESTIONS BECAUSE THAT WOULD LOOK BAD FOR THE MESSIAH. Give me a break. McCain is wonderful and honest and Obama is an empty fricken suit!

McCain is the problem on t.v. interviews. What he is shows.

"The press is not doing its job" = the press is not perpetuating McCain's distortions and is questioning him on dirty tactics, a lame VP, and in general not playing along with the GOP's theme-fabrication game.

Boo-freakin-hoo!

At last the press is doing its job this time and questioning McCain, Bush got a free pass, in fact the press cheer leaded the disastrous and unnecessary Iraq War. McCain has destroyed his own legacy and credibility. Nothing but lies and distractions from McCain -Palin

It's not the media's fault that McCain is a dishonest, lying old man who has a short fuse and a bad temper. His decision to pick Sarah Palin was disastrous and it effectively ended his political career. He'll even be questioned now in the senate when he returns, if he bothers. I don't think they've missed him much.

John McCain has had relationships with some creepy people(Charles Keating and G. Gordon Liddy). It seems to me that McCain gives his associates passes for their wrongdoings but wants to burn Obama for limited relationships with some more creepy people(Ayers and Rev. Wright). People of the "FreeWorld", what is the best way to get out of a losing argument? You find a past situation that's irrelevant to distract the person you are arguing with at that time to take the heat off yourself. John McCain is not original at all. He's drowning in his own BS and he knows this is his last chance to become President. This whole discussion is about character. I think people should search long and hard for the truth. Never settle for what is given to you. Not everything is what it seems.