davidvoegtle.net

How much does John McCain really know about foreign policy? – By Fred Kaplan – Slate Magazine: “If Obama had blurted even one of those inanities (especially the one about the Iraq-Pakistan border), the media and the McCain campaign would have been all over him like red ants on a wounded puppy.

McCain caught almost no hell for his statements—they were barely noted in the mainstream press—most likely because they didn’t fit the campaign’s ‘narrative.’ McCain is ‘experienced’ in national-security matters; therefore, if he says something that’s dumb or factually wrong, it’s a gaffe or he’s tired. Obama is ‘inexperienced,’ so if he were to go off the rails, it would be a sign of his clear unsuitability for the job of commander in chief.”

(Via Scott Butki @ Newsvine.)

This is related to my other post on the subject. It’s absolutely true that McCain is experiencing a dramatically different kind of coverage than Obama. But the difference is not to McCain’s detriment, but actually his benefit. McCain can say almost anything, and get away with it. Meanwhile, were Obama to say something similar, it would be pounced upon immediately.