That Story Obama Told About Undermanned Platoons?

The one he told last night about those platoons getting their weapons from the Taliban conquests? It ain't bullshit. The story checks out. And yet, the wingnuts and freepers are still blasting ABC's Jake Tapper for not fact-checking it to their fine high standards.

By the way, Jake just this moment posted the big wonder: How did the McCain story die so quickly?

Here are some theories. I'm not saying that any of them are right or wrong -- but tell me what you think.

1) No reporter was able to match or advance the story at all. (So far.) So there were no reasons to do follow-ups beyond McCain's denial.

2) The sources were anonymous, so no one was there to challenge McCain's (and Vicki Iseman's) denial. On the record denial beats the suspicions of unnamed people.

3) McCain denied it all, every aspect of it, took all questions thrown at him at his press conference, then walked away (canceling a later availability with reporters) so as to not give the story more oxygen.

4) However true, the story seemed to many in the media to be thinly sourced.

5) The McCain campaign effectively changed the focus from McCain to the Times. Conservatives would prefer to bash the Times than examine the GOP frontrunner, and the media always loves to talk about itself.

6) It's an icky story.

7) The media likes McCain.

8) The story doesn't fit into the pre-ordained negative narrative about McCain.

Comments

[BenofNoHO]

If McDrain had a sense of humor, he would be telling us "It's just a flesh wound."

I hope he bleeds out.

[Mad as Hell]

So, if Bill Clinton had just refused to talk about it, the Lewinsky incident would have died the next day?

McCain is running for President. The rethugs set the standard and he does need to talk about it. If there is the slightest hint of an impropriety, it must be investigated. He isn't President yet, and can't start manipulating the evidence until he takes the oath of office!

I have great confidence that the truth will come out. With the help of the blogosphere, nothing is sacred! Also, someone determined that Cindy McCain must be included in every single shot with McCain from here on out. She's going to be worn out having to zoom over to his "side" before all the interviews can start.

[sen. bob]

The story did not die - it is now part of the McCain narrative. You know, the Keating Five, the Jack Abramoff scandal, the dumping of Carol Shepp (his first wife), his lousy career in the Naval Academy, Cindy McCain's drug addiction and thefts, etc.

BUT - imagine if he were a Democrat. The barrels of ink boggle the mind!

Carol Shepp link here: (BTW, the Republicans took good care of her>
http://ristocrats.blogspot.com/2008/02/dissappeared.html

[lawton]

Don't worry! That infamous Liberal Press will sort it all out for America!