What's Presidential Fair Game?
You may have already seen this item about George Stephanopoulos warning Michele Bachmann that the media will look into her 23 foster children.
So here's today's question: which (if any) of the following would you consider fair game regarding three newcomers (two declared, one we're assuming will declare) to Republican presidential politics?
1) Bachmann's foster kids.
2) The inner workings of Rick Perry's marriage?
3) The religious beliefs of Jon Huntsman's father's departed father-in-law, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church, and other members of the candidate's extended family.
My guess: the media will continue to tread lightly on Huntsman, who in their estimation is the closest thing going to a McCain "maverick" in the GOP field -- and few Republican hopefuls have received as fawning coverage as McCain (well, the 2000 version, at least).
As you can see in this CNN piece, some already have decided that Huntsman's ambiguous view of his own faith is a metaphor for a delightfully complicated candidate. Would Mitt Romney catch the same break? Did Bush, in 2000 (or Jimmy Carter, in 1976?)?
I can't see Bachmann or Perry receiving gentle treatment from the press.
Reporters who cover presidential candidates far too often are guilty of "groupthink". Herd of reporters. Herd mentality.
In this case, I'm afraid the press already has decided it cares not for Bachmann's style.
My question to you: is this a problem unique to social conservatives? And, if you're Perry and contemplating how to deal with a press out to deconstruct his record (both public and perhaps private), what's your advice to the candidate?
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Comments :
Jan '11
Re: What's Presidential Fair Game?
Obama's kids have been appropriately sheltered. I would like to ask Stephanopolis at what age they would become fair game for lewd talk show jokes, ridicule, and mocking. Luckily, the Bush girls seem to have turned out nicely.
Dec '10
Re: What's Presidential Fair Game?
This is why I was glad to see Bachmann play hardball with Chris Wallace, you have to put these people on notice.
What's good for the goose is good for the gander. These journalists claim to represent "the people", let's find out about their lives.
First order of business: Home addresses.
Jun '10
Re: What's Presidential Fair Game?
I am outraged about Stephanopoulos! It came across as a thinly veiled threat.
I certainly don't care much about the inner workings of a candidate's marriage. If he's not taking advantage of interns that's enough for me. My father-in-law was a drunk, so I'm pretty sensitive about judging anyone based on the character or actions of relatives.
The real question to George should be, "Why did the press (and that means you) refuse to investigate Obama? Not Obama's foster children. But the man himself.
May '10
Re: What's Presidential Fair Game?
The real onslaught into Mrs. Bachmann's life has yet to start. Forget the foster children, they're going to concentrate on her husband's Christian counseling practice and his views on homosexuality. The vitriol is about to begin.
Jul '10
Re: What's Presidential Fair Game?
It's all fair game. If you put yourself at the front of the firing line, prepare to take fire.
Jan '11
Re: What's Presidential Fair Game?
Kenneth, you take fire if you pick the "wrong" party
Jul '10
Re: What's Presidential Fair Game?
Oh, come on. The Right does the same thing. We went after Bill Clinton's affairs and his wife's lesbianism. We went after John Kerry's marriage and his lifestyle. We went after everything we could find on Barack Obama.
The fact that the MSM reports more about our candidates than theirs doesn't mitigate the fact that both sides go at this thing tooth and claw.
Apr '11
Re: What's Presidential Fair Game?
With 23 foster kids, there is going to be at least one who has unflattering things to say about her. Heck, out of Reagan's kids, didn't half of them disapprove of him? Whatever else you may think about her, you've got to admit that Michelle has guts. She's going to face a flamethrower of hatred from the left and she's not backing down.
Feb '11
Re: What's Presidential Fair Game?
- Hunstman will get the McCain treatment. If he somehow gets the nomination (groan) he will experience his Cinderella-at-midnight moment. If based on nothing other than sheer laziness they will make hay out his (or his family's) Mormonism and wealth. Obama will contrast his childhood with Hunstman's "I know what it is like to grow up and struggle and not know how your gonna pay for groceries...blah blah blah" or something along the lines of "you know, it was just a few years ago that someone like me couldn't be a leader in his church...". But these attacks are the least of our worries if Hunstman gets the nomination.
- I'm not sure that making yourself available for public ridicule qualifies 100% of the time as courage. Witness reality tv, there are many people willing to make complete fools of themselves for the chance at fame and money. I am not attacking anyone here, their motives could be completely honorable, but we have no way of knowing. Do we say that Hilary Clinton has guts and courage?
Edited on Jun 28, 2011 at 12:30pmJun '10
Re: What's Presidential Fair Game?
Bill Whalen:
3) The religious beliefs of Jon Huntsman's departed father-in-law, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the LDS Church, and other members of the candidate's extended family.
I believe it's all fair game.
Here's a small correction. The "departed father-in-law" was not the father-in-law of the candidate, but is the father-in-law of Jon Huntsman, Sr. David B. Haight, former member of the LDS Quorum of the Twelve, is the candidate's maternal grandfather.
Haight was the former mayor of Palo Alto.
Sep '10
Re: What's Presidential Fair Game?
Generally I'd like to see more push-back. "That would be insulting" was a great response from Bachmann. Hit back and don't be a victim. I'd like to see candidates do some media criticism right on air. Question the question. Make them pay for asking inappropriate questions by matter-of-factly pointing out a question is unfair or out of bounds.
When interviews are conducted, can't the interviewee have his/her own film crew to put out the entire tape if they were selectively edited?
Dec '10
Re: What's Presidential Fair Game?
I agree that it is all fair game. If Bachmann wishes to use her care of 23 foster kids as a character reference, and for her own benefit, then it is certainly up for scrutiny. This however, does not grant the press (or anyone else for that matter) carte blanche to make unfounded ad hominem attacks on a candidate or their family.
While conservatives face an inherent disadvantage because of media bias, but limiting speech solves nothing, and those lacking character out themselves as we witnessed in the last election cycle.
Edited on Jun 29, 2011 at 12:05amOct '10
Re: What's Presidential Fair Game?
"The real onslaught into Mrs. Bachmann's life has yet to start. "
Exactly. Wait until she gets the nomination.
Edited on Jun 29, 2011 at 12:12amOct '10
Re: What's Presidential Fair Game?
The MSM is very smart to do this. By going after Bachmann viciously and unfairly, this will benefit Michele in the GOP primaries with tea partiers and even RINO-ish republicans will be forced to defend her as she becomes an underdog and a victim of the Liberal press. This will create a rallying effect around her even with people like Ari Fleischer who tweeted recently:
the media wants bachmann to win because they think she is easier to demonize in the general elections, in the same way they helped nudge and influence the outcome of the nevada GOP Senate primaries where Sharron Angle won.
Since obama will not be running on his record, the dems will be using the harry reid/chris coons model of making your opponent's fitness and qualifications the issue in the 2012 elections.
There's really no disadvantage in going after Bachmann hard as far as the dems and media are concerned. they hope she sucks all the coverage out of the rest of the candidates,
Oct '10
Re: What's Presidential Fair Game?
Keith Olberman just called Michele Bachman a pig
http://mobile.twitter.com/breitbartvideo/status/85903158701850624
Oct '10
Re: What's Presidential Fair Game?
the solution of course is to nominate the most qualified CONSERVATIVE candidate that is the most difficult to demonize by the Left -- Tim Pawlenty.