The Manchester Union Leader's Scott Brooks writes about the "stark contrast" between the coverage of John McCain, campaigning in New Hampshire today, and Barack Obama, campaigning, meeting with foreign leaders, and speaking to network anchors, in the Middle East and Europe.
In Manchester last night, there was just one reporter and one photographer waiting for McCain as his plane — a white, blue and gold Boeing 737-400 emblazoned with his campaign slogan, "Reform, Prosperity, Peace" — touched down on the Wiggins Airways tarmac.
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Monday evening at a meeting of the Pacific Council, retired General John Abizaid, the former commander of the US Central Command for Iraq and Afghanistan from 2003-2007, offered lots of wisdom and an impressive analysis of the Middle East. In this election season, every American, including Barack Obama and John McCain,should hear what he has to say.
ON IRAN: Although he didn't say it outright, General Abizaid's implicit view seemed to be that the world would not be able to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and that we would have to learn to live with it. He questioned whether war with Iran to stop that eventuality would be a wise idea "at this particular time" not

by Corey Pedulla - Independent Yes that is right Barack Obama is in the Middle East. Mind you, this is his first time to Afghanistan and second time to Iraq

OK. McCain supporters are having fits, and McCain himself has resorted to juvenile Youtube videos to try to get some attention this week. First, The NY Times rejected McCain op-ed piece. And then McCain can't seem to get any attention in the media, with Obama touring the Middle East and Europe like a rock star.
Frankly, McCain sounds like one of those no-talent wackos I occassionally have to deal with when running my little indie press. The people who submit unsolicited novel excerpts and short stories, and then raise holy hell when you reject them. You know, if Shipley and the NY Times are guilty of anything, it was being TOO NICE to McCain. After all, it is rare to even

The Nation - When I interviewed former President Carter about how to pursue and achieve peace in the Middle East, he made two essential points.
s. It is also necessary--more necessary now than it has ever been."
l advice to offer an incoming American leader with regard to advancing a peace process.

When the media start backing away from supporting a candidate or a cause, read this as a sign that media elite understand the public is seeing through the media's ruse of neutrality.
Witness this Web story, which includes a link to video of a live segment on MSNBC. One of the commentators waxes poetic about Sen. Barack Obama's rave visuals on his current trip abroad. (Quite frankly, I thought the video of Obama shooting hoops with the troops made him look less credible, not more.) The other takes a deep breath, steps back, and admits that the Obama campaign has manipulated media coverage during his trip to an extent not witnessed in recent presidential campaigns. And that's saying something.
rorists, fools, or biased media gladly.

By CLYNTON NAMUO Sen. John McCain blasted his Democratic rival Sen. Barack Obama's foreign policy credentials and stance on the war in Iraq yesterday as he

By Gloria Borger WASHINGTON (CNN) - It was just back at the end of May when Sen. John McCain started to criticize Sen. Barack Obama for not visiting the Middle East since 2006. At the time, McCain coyly suggested they tour Iraq together.
Sen. John McCain should stress his bipartisan credentials on immigration and other issues, a GOP strategist says.
ontroversy »

By Howard Kurtz John McCain’s strategists have unveiled a new weapon against what they view as fawning coverage of his Democratic rival: mockery.