True love never dies

How much does the Establishment press love that bold Maverick, St. McCain? This much, as Charles Pierce reports (Altercation 01/11/08):

Well, two days in New Hampshire, and I know less about this election than I knew a week ago. On Monday night last, I saw McCain, two busloads of alleged reporters in tow, give an utterly astonishing speech on the steps of the town hall in Exeter. Ten years ago, I spent a month with him for an Esquire profile, so I know the depths of the charm. But this was the most bloodthirsty campaign speech I ever heard. We are surrounded by enemies. John himself is personally going to get medieval on those Iranian speedboats. He's personally going to make that sad bastard who burned his passport "regret his decision." He's going to follow Osama bin Laden personally "through the gates of hell" if necessary. Send him an earmark, and he's personally going to "make you famous." At this point, McCain seemed to be running for sheriff of Nottingham. This was 10 or 15 minutes of unbridled public paranoia. It screamed for coverage. It got none. Rather, the inevitable election night fluffing ensued. I like the man a great deal, and there's nothing low and sneaky about this campaigning. It's just a bit, well, nutzoid.

Tags: authoritarianism, establishment press, mainstream media, mainstream press, mccain, republican party