Well, I guess the McCain campaign really did get tough on the New York Times. Yesterday, leftist columnist Maureen Dowd was told she was no longer welcome on McCain's campaign plane and had to go home with her tail between her legs. Tim McNulty of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports that Mo's parting shot was a charge that because of this incident McCain is somehow against the First Amendment like she imagines Dick Cheney is.
Rather amusingly, she was dumped in the middle of Pennsylvania, too. After an August 30 rally in Washington, PA, she was told she could not get back on the plane. The rest of the press corps loaded up and off they flew leaving poor Mo standing there in shock.
Naturally, instead of seeing this as just deserts, Dowd goes on to blame everyone else.
"It was disappointing because I didn't think John McCain would ever be as dismissive of the First Amendment as Dick Cheney."
Sorry, Mo, but you shouldn't expect to be welcomed with open arms while you constantly have your knife out, stabbing wildly like you do. McCain is NOT president yet, so he really doesn't have to suffer your odious presence if he doesn't want to.
Let's face it, Dowd is not a journalist. She is an opinion editorialist. She does not report, she opines. She simply cannot be expected to present unbiased news. McCain knows that he cannot even breathe without Dowd calling it a crime against humanity so that makes her a perfectly legitimate target for dismissal. There is just no expectation of fairness with a Maureen Dowd. Everyone knows it.
If more campaigns did this to media types that merely express opinions as opposed to reporting what is going on with the campaign one might expect that we'd get more serious news as opposed to constant personal opinion.
And, lastly, Dowd is wildly overstating her predicament. She is in no way whatever having her First Amendment rights curtailed. No one said she isn't allowed to write and publish whatever she feels. But there is no "right," Constitutional or otherwise, to be on a candidate's press plane.
So, good on ya, John McCain. But, as a writer myself, let me say one thing. This sort of action by the McCain camp is justified in this case, but such actions really must be used sparingly lest a real dampening of the First Amendment occur. Limits are good and right when they are justified. Abuse is not.
(Photo credit: www.observer.com)
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Comments Policy
Way to go John, tell the
October 2, 2008 - 04:45 ET by USA4freedomWay to go John, tell the rest of the press, the next one gets kicked off in mid air, without a parachute!
Now if John and Co. can let Palin be Palin..
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Don’t forget John that it
October 2, 2008 - 04:50 ET by USA4freedomDon’t forget John that it WAS the NYT that indorsed you..lol..
I guess its official that the love affair with the press is over.
We hate to tell you “we told you so” but...
You were fine with them as long as you were sticking your fingers in the eyes of the conservatives.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Uh, not sure anyone remembers,
October 2, 2008 - 04:54 ET by NoJellyBut it was the media who manipulated the Republican primaries in the first place, knowing that John McCain could not possibly win against charisma, regardless how empty the shirt...
There was never a love affair with McCain and the press...
Right. He should kick off
October 2, 2008 - 04:52 ET by Gat New YorkRight. He should kick off the rest of the NY Times crew and make an example out of them - and keep doing it until reporters remember what their profession really is.
If McCain does not stop this mamby-pamby approach to his opponent he is going to lose and lose large. Obama does not deserve to be treated any differently than McCain has been treated.
If tonight Palin does not start turning into a "pitbull with lipstick" the election is over and we will be in for the worst four year in American history.
AMEN
October 2, 2008 - 08:38 ET by cvgbuckeyeAMEN Gat: You have it right. It must begin tonight, with a mighty roar, by Governor Sarah Palin. If not, it may be over, save some kind of miraculous, election night voter conversions that is not presently showing up in any polls.
Here we are again, Republicans and Conservatives bringing a pocket knife to a gun-fight. The other side is being their normal groin kicking, spitting, eye gouging, low blowing, biting dirt throwing, back stabbing, lieing, God blaspheming selves, while the MSM successfully turns it all around and falsely accuses the Republicans of doing it.
Of course we shall maintain our prim and proper, fine protocol, fine lady and gentlemenly demeaners.
How nice; WHILE WE GET OUR HIND-ENDS and our lunch handed to us again while, to be polite, the Brown Shirts and Marxists take over The United States of America.
JOHN-----------SARAH--------HANDLERS-----WAKE UP NOW!!!!!!!!
I was listening to Peggy
October 2, 2008 - 09:36 ET by Gat New YorkI was listening to Peggy Noonan this morning and her prescription was to forget what Democrats were doing. She said that we are republicans and should conduct ourselves better and only campaign on issues. I cringed.
We need a Lee Atwater campaign and with Steve Schmidt we should have it. But McCain has been too principled and is paying a heavy price for that.
Also, what happened to McCain's surrogates like Mitt Romney?
»→ GAT
October 2, 2008 - 09:42 ET by Cool ArrowWe could use President Reagan's speech writer too.
You wouldn't have Peggy's cell# would you?
Kill Bill II - Stop the bailout
I do so agree.
October 2, 2008 - 15:10 ET by culture dropoutI do so agree.
Dismissive of Partisan Subjectivity
October 2, 2008 - 04:50 ET by NoJellyYeah, you go, John.
Lucky for Mzzzzzz Dowd, the
October 2, 2008 - 11:06 ET by celatorLucky for Mzzzzzz Dowd, the plane was parked on the ground when they tossed her off. McCain must have a soft spot in his heart.
The major media report only half the news. Why are they surprised they have only half the potential audience?
Now all he needs to do...
October 2, 2008 - 04:57 ET by Vivaldi5Now all McCain needs to do to follow up is make this into a campaign commercial. Possible tag line:
Could get a few hundred votes for the G.O.P ticket in the swing states right there.
Too bad.......
October 2, 2008 - 04:59 ET by richflanjHe didn't kick her off the plane at 3000 feet over Washington, PA. I guess he was being considerate of the people below. After all, Dowd would make a really big s===stain.
Ha, my thoughts exactly.
October 2, 2008 - 07:27 ET by IgnatzJFahrquarHa, my thoughts exactly. Plus, they could have given her their version of a "Golden Parachute" ... two lead bricks.
"All generalizations are false, including this one.” Mark Twain
But then again....
October 2, 2008 - 11:22 ET by richflanjIt might have (at least from her perspective) a far greater cruelty to "abandon" her in flyover country, where she might actually have to (shudder) TALK to the commoners!!!! Imagine her at her next cocktail party telling her horror stories:
"They actually wear clothes OFF THE RACK!!!!
There wasn't a decent martini within 10 miles!!!!
I had to drink DOMESTIC wine!!!
I had to hear COUNTRY MUSIC!!!!
I even saw a MCCAIN/PALIN bumper sticker on a car, it was American made, of course."
Message for Dowd
October 2, 2008 - 05:11 ET by JaykeBY YOUR WORDS YOU WILL BE CONDEMNED (MA 12:37). You should go and read it.
According to MoDo, the right
October 2, 2008 - 05:34 ET by motherbeltAccording to MoDo, the right to a seat on the press plane is in the "penumbra" of the first amenement.
Dowd in the doo doo
October 2, 2008 - 07:02 ET by soosansince when is being a b*tch a right guarenteed under the Constitution?
Freedom of expression, I
October 2, 2008 - 07:27 ET by ThatDudeFreedom of expression, I believe. Of course, nowhere do I see that the constitution grants the inaliable right to be a guest of someone despite all hostile actions against them. You've worn your welcome. Begone
ThatDude
October 2, 2008 - 17:56 ET by RESTLESS 1"Freedom of expression". You nailed it right there. McCain freely expressed himself by kicking her sorry ass off of his plane.
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
»→ MoDo Butterfly
October 2, 2008 - 05:48 ET by Cool ArrowIs MoDo the love child of Helen Thomas and LBJ? I'm just sayin'
"I've got a bracelet too" - Barack Obama
What a dope
October 2, 2008 - 05:58 ET by ricklailI think she believes that the 1st Admemdment gives her the right to a seat on the plane. To her it is right after the separation of church and state clause. Finally somebody in the McCain campaign shows some guts.
"Yeah, stupid only comes second in the short list of what one can reasonably expect from a Democrat." The Dissident Frogman (France)
The 1st Amendment does not
October 2, 2008 - 06:02 ET by Gat New YorkThe 1st Amendment does not give you the right to slander and defame people.
But...
October 2, 2008 - 06:08 ET by Warner Todd HustonBut... under the rubric of free political speech it comes AWFULLY close to allowing slander and defamation in the context of a campaign. It is really hard to determine when free political speech ends and slander begins.
I agree
October 2, 2008 - 07:03 ET by ricklailI have to agree with you Warner. There are SCOTUS cases that agree. Actually if you look at it poltical speech is what the founders meant.
"Stupid only comes second in the short list of what one can reasonably expect from a Democrat." The Dissident Frogman (France)
How about #2
October 2, 2008 - 06:15 ET by DingbatWell, she is Dismissive of 2nd Amend. Heh.
fly the friendly skies
October 2, 2008 - 06:18 ET by tonemeisterexcellent, now all she needs to do is find the aeroflot terminal to take her home....mc+p '08
1st Ammendment, according to the NYT
October 2, 2008 - 06:26 ET by ThisnThatAllowed: Rejection of a McCain op-ed piece, unless it is written by the NYT
Disallowed: Rejection of a McCain op-ed opinionator, who wants a free ride on a candidate's plane so she can continue to publish lies, innuendos, and smears.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
Thanks for that! I had
October 2, 2008 - 12:11 ET by lnthompThanks for that! I had forgotten the NYT refused to publish that McCain op-ed!
Lee T.
HA!
October 2, 2008 - 06:31 ET by true_texanThis is probably one of his best decisions yet...............................delicious move, John!
Hmmm...
October 2, 2008 - 06:51 ET by DMartyrI guess she never heard of the Obama "Truth Squads".
Typical
October 2, 2008 - 07:02 ET by JoelCTTypical reaction of a leftist. They all think the 1st Amendment means that leftists can do or say anything anytime anywhere and if they have to face any repercussions, then they must be living in a fascist state.
Maureen, you're a person involved with a newspaper, but you are NOT a reporter. You are a gossip columnist, and you should consider moving to E! channel.
Give me a break!
October 2, 2008 - 07:23 ET by ArcherBDon't imply that the NYT is any better than E! when it comes to journalistic standards.
"To send men to the firing squad, judicial proof is unnecessary."
--Ernesto "Che" Guevara
Why not kick them all off?
October 2, 2008 - 07:30 ET by 10ksnookerWouldn't McCain be better off with all the media off his plane? Now that the maverick-media has got a divorce and it's final, toss them all off.
Shame...
October 2, 2008 - 07:33 ET by 2birdsImagine if Maureen Dowd took some time and reflected on the fact that she had been kicked off a plane full of Journalists. Imagine if she gave some thought to the reasons why. I know she believes it is because she "speaks truth to power". That self serving belief is what will keep her bias intact.
Hoooo Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
October 2, 2008 - 07:42 ET by c5thenI LOVE it!!!
McCain should clean his plane out and dump more of the biased assholes. I guess maybe he's hoping that Dowd might serve as an example to the rest and make them 'sit up and take notice' so to speak. I doubt it.
What took ao long
October 2, 2008 - 07:59 ET by ConLosRepublicanosNoReally!!!!!!!!!!
Obama: "No, if we're going to ask questions about who is promulgating negative ads that are completely unrelated to the issues at hand, I think I win that contest pretty handily"
Mistaken Identity
October 2, 2008 - 08:01 ET by EmrysApparently Ms. Dowd mistakes herself for the First Amendment, and that's hubris on a grand scale! Rejecting her is not rejecting the First Amendment and she knows it, but as usual, she spins things the way she wants in an overly melodromatic fashion. Kudos to McCain!
---------------------------------------------------------
"Shame them publicly for the hypocrites they are." - PublicPillory
No Competition for Cindy and Sarah
October 2, 2008 - 08:05 ET by BW222If I were Maureen Dowd, I certainly wouldn't want to be seen next to Cindy McCain and especially Sarah Palin. Mo would look old and ugly by comparison.
Are Mo and Sarah even the same sex? I'm absolutely positive what sex Sarah is but not sure about Mo.
BW222
so let me get this straight, mo dowd thinks ...
October 2, 2008 - 08:05 ET by pmohbuckriding on a plane is first amendment right? lol
i wish there was a video of her standing on the runway, mouth gaping open in shock, tears rolling down her cheeks as mccains plane slowly rolls away with its jet engines blowing modo's hair and dress all over the place ... that would be classic ... even better if the plane stopped suddenly, opened its door, dowd gets excited ... only to have her carry-on bag tossed out of the plane ... and the plane once again starts its take off run.
Hilarious. Thanks for
October 2, 2008 - 09:41 ET by maggieqpublicHilarious. Thanks for painting the picture…. Even one little camera phone image of Maureen receiving the news would be welcome here.
"So let me get this
October 2, 2008 - 17:37 ET by GrannyGrump42"So let me get this straight, mo dowd thinks riding on a plane is first amendment right?"
She thinks a *free ride* on *somebody else's plane* is a first amendment right!
BTW, I love the image. I'll cherish it.
take the pebbles from your shoe
October 2, 2008 - 08:24 ET by JIMMY1660allow me to love America
its about time the pebble was removed. Don't stop now.
Report the news, do not create it, or be gone.
I like it very much.
Poor old Maureen, as she
October 2, 2008 - 08:34 ET by nadadhimmiPoor old Maureen, as she has lamented many times in her column, she doesn't have a man. No self respecting man would put up with her stuff for 30 seconds, much less 30 yrs. In my opinion, what ole Mo needs is to be Roundly Rogered, that would make her a little less "tense", if you know what I mean, lol.
Are you suggesting someone
October 2, 2008 - 09:02 ET by HockeyKidAre you suggesting someone should do a New York Times piece? (nudge, wink)
all right...!
October 2, 2008 - 12:33 ET by wizardjrWho let Monty Python in here...???!!
*nudge, nudge, wink, wink, "Know what I mean? Say no more."*
Not bad...
October 2, 2008 - 12:52 ET by zachlindNot bad, not bad at all. Being from south Texas I managed to read a lot into your comment.:)
Honestly, I was getting so
October 2, 2008 - 08:53 ET by marpelHonestly, I was getting so sick of McCain tiptoeing around these insulting liberal nut jobs as if he were afraid of hurting their feeeeelings. Hopefully, this is the dawning of a new, improved McCain. He needs to get back his "nads", kick off more reporters, tell some of them off and let Sarah loose to be herself. First person I would tell off would be that elf, Katie Couric...And then I'd go on The View again to tell Whoopie Goldberg that she is an idiot for asking him the slavery question...He's losing the Presidency because of political correctness...Get in the game, John!!!
Maureen Dowd starring in......
October 2, 2008 - 09:06 ET by BarkerSkanks Off a Plane
starring in
October 2, 2008 - 12:21 ET by livingfreeHey Maureen! How does it feel to be dumped on?
Hope it smarts real good. You can sh** in your best hat and pull it over your ears. Go ahead complain, give us more to laugh at. What goes around comes around.
Livefree or die trying-Feels so good but a pic of her face would have been priceless.
starring in
October 2, 2008 - 12:24 ET by livingfreeAdditional comment: Maureen says(they got in my face)boo hoo.
JohnM-Get rid of these vicious back stabbers soaking of travel time on your campaign dimes.
Livefree or die trying
For too long
October 2, 2008 - 09:17 ET by doug1950many have confused their "rights" with privileges. She was afforded a seat on the plane but constantly abused the privilege so it was fitting they dumped her at the last Rest stop to find her own way home. Im sure she was incredulous at the mere thought that anyone would do this to the Great Maureen Dowd, which makes it all the more sweet. Who says John doesn't know how to treat a "lady".
It's OK, Mo...
October 2, 2008 - 10:09 ET by Secret ConservativeI hear there's LOTS of room on Biden's campaign plane!
Hey, MoDo can also
October 2, 2008 - 12:53 ET by Teddybuy herself some carbon creds and hitch a ride on Michael Douglas' jet if the Biden deal doesn't pan out!
Not sure how Catherine Z-J would 'feel' about that though.
...but such actions really
October 2, 2008 - 10:57 ET by marvl...but such actions really must be used sparingly lest a real dampening of the First Amendment occur.
John McCain is a private citizen running for president. The First Amendment protects a citizen's right of free speech from censure by the government. Constitutional rights are not relevant here. Why can't you folks understand this principle?
McCain should get tough and kick more of the idiots off his plane. He should start an enemies list like Nixon did. He should form secret "enforcer squads" that go around and beat the crap out of anyone who says anything negative about him.
You know, like Hussein Obama has done in Missouri.
Which is the bigger threat?
October 2, 2008 - 11:24 ET by nkviking75It's far less of a threat to the First Amendment than Democrats forcing Fox News to cancel a debate in the primaries because they're supposedly biased, or Barry's "Truth Squads" threatening to sue anyone they say has lied about The One.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
If he keeps this up
October 2, 2008 - 12:36 ET by wizardjrI might even give some money to his campaign.
I usually give to specific conservatives like Mitch McConnell in Kentucky and Michelle Bachmann here in the Peoples Republic of Minnesota. McLame might just get my money after all.
1st Amendment
October 2, 2008 - 12:42 ET by RHRobinsonMDCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the press to ride on campaign planes with full access to the candidates even if said press members are complete a**holes.
First, what is it you want us to pay taxes for? Tell me what I get and perhaps I'll buy it. - Robert Heinlein
...to ride on campaign
October 2, 2008 - 16:22 ET by Hermano...to ride on campaign planes with full access to the candidates even if said press members are complete a**holes.
Biden told me the Thomas Jefferson added this line specifically after talking it over with Maureen and FDR.
The Newsbusters Comments Crew: Saving the Environment - One Ribeye at a Time! h/t Dr_Liberty
Wonder if she had her red
October 2, 2008 - 12:56 ET by bigtimerWonder if she had her red heels and knows how to stick her thumb out...
Couldn't of happened to a better creature.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Ouch!
October 2, 2008 - 13:09 ET by ammo johnI'm sure the Obamessiah Express wasted no time in picking her up. Serves her right. She's just another hack from the NYT.
Any chance McCain could be kicked off that plane...
October 2, 2008 - 13:18 ET by R D Helm...like in the middle of Siberia or somewhere?
LOL-Just a thought.
:-)
-Dave
Fear makes people do weird things....it makes their brains stop working. - Dave Ramsey
My troll fuse length today: 0.5cm
Too bad it wasn't
October 2, 2008 - 13:29 ET by greenfairieToo bad it wasn't mid-flight.
Great Job!!
October 2, 2008 - 13:43 ET by ArtisteGlad to see it. Snots like Dowd who really aren't anything about reporting deserve to be pushed to the side. First Amendment rights may give her the ability to spew her crap, but it doesn't mean anyone has to take her along for a ride.
So does this mean that when
October 2, 2008 - 17:31 ET by GrannyGrump42So does this mean that when I don't stop to pick up a hitchhiker I'm violating his 1st Amendment rights?
Poor Mo
October 2, 2008 - 18:53 ET by Redrowan2000GEEZ i'm really disappointed over this , all i have to hay is, Heh.
"Don't let the bastards grind you down."
Red
media bias kick her off
October 3, 2008 - 02:07 ET by afuelGood for McCain and Palin. There is no gain in playing the MSM bias game for Republicans. Why go through the pain and agony. It must also be bothersome to other maybe jounalist on board the plane to be constantly bombarded by these biased haters 24/7.
This is something that has been a slow revelation for McCain and other Repubs. Why bother dealing with MSM you are just grist for their mill. Give less access and maybe they get the message if not OH WELL, go to FOX at least you have a fair shot at it.
Look how spun up they got after ABC and CBS abused Palin in her interviews with editing, lousy uncomfortable surroudings and gotcha questions. They wonder were she went? Let the MSM stew in their own juices for awhile use them to your benefit.
Play real hardball with MSM not that phony crissy sissy stuff.
No Obama ever...
Press Restrictions
October 3, 2008 - 11:40 ET by Buzz CarterI don't see how allowing the press any access whatsoever to anyone is mandatory. I am against censorship, but what they heck? Why do we have to let them in? Send them a press release, and tell them that's the news. Forget the question and answer session. They're going to make up their own spin anyway.
“War is not violence and killing, pure and simple; war is
controlled violence, for a purpose. But…it’s never a soldier’s
business to decide when or where or how—or why—he fights;
that belongs…to other people…”
I feel really very sorry for
March 14, 2009 - 10:01 ET by sathyanI feel really very sorry for Mo and i know how she would have felt when the others left her alone.
----
sathyan
missouri drug rehab