Why We Love 'Em

Carol Platt Liebau | September 15, 2008 5:48 PM

Jennifer Rubin notes that the media are in the Obama tank for the final push until the election. They're angry that Obama's down and (something in the style of a mad dog) slightly bewildered about the minimal negative impact of collective invective against McCain-Palin. But they're also upset about something else.

Back on August 3, I noted that McCain had a choice: He could continue to be loved by the press, or he could win. Well, he made his choice -- and how.

Certainly, Sarah Palin's conservative credentials account for much of the resurgence in support and enthusiasm for the McCain/Palin ticket. But just as important, I think, is Governor Palin's unashamed embrace of those values -- and McCain's unashamed (figurative) embrace of her. And what those unashamed embraces require is a complete and utter willingness to disregard and even ridicule the solons of the MSM. One of the best lines in Sarah Palin's acceptance speech was:

[H]ere's a little news flash for all those reporters and commentators: I'm not going to Washington to seek their good opinion.

For too long, lots in the conservativerank and file (and perhaps a good number outside it) have been frustrated with the unearned deference too often accorded to a MSM that's elitist, snobbish and biased. They've been appalled that so few Republicans are willing to defend themselves and their ideas with boldness.

Now, here comes McCain/Palin -- challenging the press' self-appointed role as arbiter of what "matters" in this race and why. What's more, they're doing the one thing the MSM really can't tolerate . . . telling Americans that the MSM's opinion, frankly, just doesn't matter.

Who would've thought that onetime media darling John McCain would gain the affection of his own party's grassroots by finally fighting back?