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New York Times Draws Ire Of McCain Campaign Again

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The Associated Press

Published: August 3, 2008

WASHINGTON - It is a tradition at many kitchen tables to yell at the newspaper. At John McCain's kitchen table, it is becoming a tradition to yell at one paper in particular: The New York Times.

The latest dustup between the Republican presidential candidate and the "All the News that's fit to Print" big-name newspaper centered on the editorial board's back-to-back criticisms of McCain, one dispatch accusing him of taking the low road and another contending that he was playing politics with race.

The second editorial, which appeared on the Times' Web site, said McCain's ads conjured up loaded racial images and raised the specter of O.J. Simpson.

"The presumptive Republican nominee has embarked on a bare-knuckled barrage of negative advertising aimed at belittling Mr. Obama," the editorial board wrote.

The response from the McCain campaign was equally cutting.

"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," said McCain campaign spokesman Michael Goldfarb.

Goldfarb compared the editors to a blogger "sitting at home in his mother's basement and ranting into the ether between games of Dungeons & Dragons."

Times spokeswoman Catherine Mathis declined to comment Friday.

The relationship between McCain and the Times has been rocky. Yet such a grudge could pay political dividends for the presidential candidate, as criticizing the liberal media often improves a candidate's standing with Republican Party conservatives.

Back in January, the Times endorsed McCain's candidacy for the Republican nomination, saying, "Sen. John McCain of Arizona is the only Republican who promises to end the George Bush style of governing from and on behalf of a small, angry fringe."

Since then, it's been McCain v. The New York Times.

There is a strategy to attacking the Times because it is a bogeyman of conservatives who still may not be sold on the Arizona senator.

Senior advisers are fully aware that assailing the Times could help endear McCain to his talk radio skeptics and their followers.

So, they go after the newspaper often - and send the message: McCain stands with you.

IN THE CAMPAIGN

•Barack Obama opposes offering reparations to the descendants of slaves, putting him at odds with some black groups and leaders. He argues that government should instead combat the legacy of slavery by improving schools, health care and the economy for all.

•Obama on Saturday backed away from rival John McCain's challenge for a series of joint appearances, agreeing only to the standard three debates in the fall. Campaign spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Saturday in an interview that the McCain campaign had rejected Obama's proposal for two joint town hall meetings.

•John McCain's campaign has asked Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor for personal documents as the Republican presidential candidate steps up his search for a running mate. Cantor, 45, is the chief deputy minority whip in the House.

•Obama said Saturday he is simply acting pragmatically in softening his opposition to additional oil drilling along the nation's coastline. Speaking in Florida, Obama insisted he still generally opposes additional drilling - as his Republican rival, McCain, once did as well - but would be willing to support it as part of a new bipartisan energy proposal that seeks to lessen dependence on foreign oil.

The Associated Press, McClatchy-Tribune

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