Joe Scarborough has given away the MSM's dirty big secret: it hates Mitt Romney and is letting that animus distort its coverage of the Republican race. Joe went on an impassioned riff at the opening of today's Morning Joe.
JOE SCARBOROUGH: I want the media mavens in Manhattan and Washington, DC to listen what I'm about to tell you, because it goes against your narrative, but it is the truth. Look at the map; let's put the map back up there. Last night was a good night for John McCain, he won the big states . . . but starting at about 9 PM last night, before a lot of the Western states were closed, we heard over and over again that Mike Huckabee had now raced into second place, and once again friends that Mitt Romney should drop from the race . . . McCain had nine states won, Romney had seven states won, Huckabee had five states won. And yet, what did we hear time and time again, at this network and every other network: Mike Huckabee has now raced into second place.
View video here.
. . .
Here's a shocking thing, and I know it's going to stun a lot of people, and I hate to make a leap of faith here, but from where I come from, 207 [Romney's delegate count] is higher than 142 [Huckabee's ]. Now I am not being a smart aleck, but I can read numbers and the news media can read numbers, and if the news media looked past the end of their nose, and looked past the narrative that they wanted to tell, they would also bring up something else, Mika: they would bring up the fact that Mike Huckabee had a wonderful night last night, but the only other state in the Deep South, that is his home base, from now till the end of the process: Mississippi . . . I have to point this out time and time again: I am not in the tank for Mitt Romney.
I am flabbergasted that people in the media are as blinded by hatred for one candidate. I know all the other candidates have said they hate Mitt Romney: it's everybody against Romney, and that's fine: they can hate him if they want. But the news media is supposed to report dispassionately. If they did, they would look at the future calendar and say this . . . as we move forward friends, right now, John McCain is not the presumptive nominee, but he is close to that. A couple of more big wins for John McCain and he will represent the Republican party this fall.
But as we move forward, the states that are going to be on the calendar are states where Mike Huckabee will not be as strong unless he expands dramatically past his evangelical base. What does that mean? That means Mitt Romney finally has what Mitt Romney has wanted since Iowa: a one-on-one where the conservative runs against the moderate. One other thing that Mitt Romney has: money.
Now if you look at the calendar, if you look at what's coming up in the future, you don't say that this is Mitt Romney's to lose. But you sure as hell don't say he should drop out of the race. We heard that Mitt Romney should drop out of the race after Iowa, after New Hampshire, after Florida. It continues, over and over again, and I'll be damned if we didn't hear it again last night. We've been beating this drum -- look at all the states the man won. He won Maine, he won Massachusetts, he won Michigan. He won all of those states; he's got the second most delegates; he's got the most money. And yet the media continues to scream: "drop out."
. . .
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: Since you believe there's been this narrative against Mitt Romney, why do that hate him so much?SCARBOROUGH: I don't know, and that's really not my job. My job is -- listen, I can't get into the minds of people. I don't know why the other Republicans hate him so much but there have been reports they do. I don't know why the m -
BRZEZINSKI: I think they think he's a faux conservative.
SCARBOROUGH: OK, well, the thing is, if you're in the media, and you think he's a phony, you put that on your editorial page.
BRZEZINSKI: Well that has happened.
SCARBOROUGH: You don't let that color your news coverage, and it has colored the news coverage from the beginning. It doesn't matter whether he's a phony, it doesn't matter whether he's a Marxist or not. If you are reporting election results, you cannot have your analyst come on every single week, and last night, last night, Willie, they were saying before: they were wringing their hands over evangelicals rejecting [Mitt Romney] when he got as many evangelical votes as [Mike Huckabee.]
WILLIE GEIST: I wonder if there is something to Romney's argument about him being the outside guy, and even in the media everyone knows John McCain, they know his story, they like John McCain, and whether that's translating over the airwaves in the analysis: I think there's something to it.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Bingo, Joe! The MSM wants
February 6, 2008 - 07:42 ET by motherbeltBingo, Joe!
The MSM wants McCain, and they want Romney out. It's becoming plainer by the day. Only in MSM "get rid of Romney" land is winning five states better than winning seven.
And Willy Geist admits it:
they like John McCain, and whether that's translating over the airwaves in the analysis: I think there's something to it.
Of course there's something to it! And of course it's "translating" in the analysis.
Patriots Win
February 6, 2008 - 07:44 ET by allanfWeren't the Patriots supposed to win last Sunday?
These pundits do have a great effect though. I don't think McCain would not have gotten off the ground without the constant pumping from the pundits.
I was surprised to hear Rasmussen say on Fox that McCain had a 93% chance of winning the nomination. Nonsense. He should no better. One has to make some big assumptions about your sample space to come up with that figure.
The media doesn't like McCain
February 6, 2008 - 08:30 ET by kgThe media doesn't like McCain which will be made public if he wins the nomination. The media HATES Romney for some reason. I believe they are afraid of him. They are afraid that if he is the nominee it will be allot tougher to move their agenda forward. Of course they cannot state that. They cannot allow Romney a chance at winning the election.
kg, What a silly
February 6, 2008 - 08:31 ET by Leonkg,
What a silly post.
The media aren't the only people that vote. You give them way too much power while giving the American people too little credit.
People like McCain. Always have. That is why he's winning.
Well, that, and Romney's creepy religion and history of liberalism.
Wrong Leon
February 6, 2008 - 08:36 ET by PopularTechThe MSM is flat our endorsing McCain and have even when Romney was ahead in delegates before Florida. People do not like McCain, sucker anti-Hillary voters do, liberals, moderates, environmentalists and the Homosexual Community NOT Conservatives:
Environmentalists Support McCain in Florida (CNSNews)
"McCain's biggest margin of support came from those who said the environment should be the top issue for the next president. Among these voters, McCain beat Romney 55% to 15%"
Gay Republicans Flock To McCain (The New York Sun)
The Anti 'Man-Made' Global Warming Resource
42% of voters vote yes on
February 6, 2008 - 16:31 ET by Khyris42% of voters vote yes on Prop 91 in Caliifornia.
The "Pro" argument on the ballot was "Prop 91 is no longer necessary, it was resolved by another proposition last year. Please vote No on prop 91"
You'll have to excuse me if I don't give the average voter a lot of credit for being informed about the coin-flip-and-dart-board choices they make.
Prop S, a 9% tax increase, passed in Los Angeles County by a 60% yes vote, which is an unheard-of margin, because the media kept fraudulently billing it as a tax cut (which if it were true, wouldn't actually take a proposition to pass).
You'll have to excuse me if I give the media a lot of credit for influencing the sheep who can't be bothered to do any real research nor critical thinking before going to vote for "a rock star" or "a maverick."
People don't like McCain. People like that the celebrity people on the boob-tube like what little of McCain they're willing to tell you about.
How on earth can you say we don't give the American people enough credit and then turn around and say that those same people don't like Romney because of his "creepy religion"say ??? Any sensible person who listened to Romney's address on faith in America, this atheist included, has no issue with his religion.
As for Romney's past, why are we expected to be afraid of ancient history, and ignore recent behavior, because the only way we'll vote for McCain is if we praise his ancient history and ignore his recent behavior.
Bottom line is that recent behavior is a far better indicator of imminent future behavior, unless you want to argue that David Horowitz is still a Marxist.
Leon, I hate to burst your
February 6, 2008 - 17:06 ET by richardLeon, I hate to burst your bubble of optimism for the American voters. Most of them are blind, uninformed dolts that vote for someone based on the most non-sensical reasons, like nice looking, comes from a good family, god fearing, looks presidential, etc....
These people are easily led like sheep, and the MSM knows fully well, that their injection of comments will have them running to their choice of candidates, like kids hearing the bell on the ice cream truck.
Perhaps the word "most" was
February 6, 2008 - 17:12 ET by richardPerhaps the word "most" was a bit over the top, but a "whole hell of a lot of them" is sure correct. I have many in my own circle of aquantints, as well as a few in my own family. It makes me shutter just to think about it.
Nice list, but you forgot....
February 7, 2008 - 06:58 ET by ampul manNice list, but you forgot great hair.
CNN, the Clinton News Network---Bill decides; Hill reports
Re: the MSM
February 7, 2008 - 06:53 ET by ampul manI'm really impressed with Joe. Going to have to start watching. Also, Mika a little fetching this morning.
CNN, the Clinton News Network---Bill decides; Hill reports
Overall Romney has won 11 States and McCain 12
February 6, 2008 - 07:44 ET by PopularTechYet the MSM will not report this?
Romney has won 11 States!
12 if not for Huckabee selling out to the Homosexual Community.
McCain: "Gay Marriage Should be Allowed" (Video)
Gay Republicans Flock To McCain (The New York Sun)
McCain: Same-sex marriage ban is un-Republican (CNN)
The Anti 'Man-Made' Global Warming Resource
Romney's doing fantastic!
February 6, 2008 - 10:36 ET by TruthMongerthey can only fool some of the people some of the time
Romney's doing great - in spite of the rino/msm mafia - heeheehee
McCain is bitching up a storm behind closed doors to be sure:)
he knows damn well we got him by the - well, you know...
thanks for the tally PT...
Too late to add to my
February 6, 2008 - 07:51 ET by motherbeltToo late to add to my comment above. But aside from broadcast media coverage, McCain has had more coverage than any candidate, including all the Democrats, in the print media; a fact so obvious that even the New York Times admits it.
This is the Joe Scarborough
February 6, 2008 - 07:58 ET by KarmaThis is the Joe Scarborough that I admire. I have gone from 99% Fox in the morning to watching about 50/50 between them and Joe, and he's gaining more every week. I don't need the news personalities to agree with me all the time; I just want them to be honest and present the facts (ALL of the facts). I'll sort them out and analyize them myself.
No....McCain is the faux
February 6, 2008 - 08:11 ET by msh1973No....McCain is the faux Republican. I can no longer get myself all upset about this situation. The msm have an agenda, they feel that McCain cannot beat Hillary or Obama. Once he becomes the official nominee, the lovefest will be over.
All this adds up to another
February 6, 2008 - 08:23 ET by skeptic1All this adds up to another billary presidency......another low point in this country's history......
The MSM has been able to once again effect results.......it's very sad to see something coming from miles away and not be able to do anything to stop it.......
skeptic1, Have you been
February 6, 2008 - 08:58 ET by msh1973skeptic1,
Have you been listening in on my conversations? :) I just have to stop getting so upset because I have no control over the situation. I may have to tune out for awhile.
I may have to tune out for
February 6, 2008 - 09:28 ET by motherbeltI may have to tune out for awhile.
Me too, msh, me too.
That's their objective,
February 6, 2008 - 10:59 ET by skeptic1That's their objective, whether or not they even realize it themselves - to drain the fight out of as many of us as possible....this is along the same lines as clinton Fatigue, only worse.....it's a blueprint for future campaigns....be very strong, because they don't need to be strong at all
That's the whole point.
February 6, 2008 - 08:18 ET by c5thenThe liberal MSM don't just want to report the news, they want to influence the outcome. It's only the conservatives and the actual journalists who are horrified at what they are witnessing.
The liberal activists who have infiltrated the ranks of the journalists to such a degree that they now far outnumber them, actually are salivating at this Presidential election being between a moderate populaist, John McCain and a liberal democrat, either Hillary Clinton or Barrack Obama. It's their dream come true.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
With the exception of talk
February 6, 2008 - 08:30 ET by USA4freedomWith the exception of talk radio I don’t think I have ever heard it put better.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
MRC
February 6, 2008 - 08:47 ET by funkdomeFunkdome: "MRC Blinded by Hatred of McCain"
I have lost so much respect for this site, along with Rush, Coulter and the rest of the partisans who hate McCain more than they love our country.
If these rigid idealogues cost us the election and the consequentially the war in Iraq, they will be as unpatriotic as Olbermann, Krugman and the rest of the mindless pundacracy.
Don't any of you people care about Iraq?
funkdome - McCain has no chance in the General
February 6, 2008 - 09:01 ET by Dee Bunkand it has nothing to do with talk radio or the MRC. Obama has charisma and he doesn't. He's an over the hill crotchety old man. Even if his politics agreed 100% with mine, I don't think he would win.
Obama will be President
Really, funkdome, what do
February 6, 2008 - 09:31 ET by motherbeltReally, funkdome, what do you think are all the wonderful things that John McCain is going to do for the country?
Don't any of you people care about Iraq?
Nice try. Not biting.
I agree with Rush -
February 6, 2008 - 10:45 ET by TruthMongerI agree with Rush - let the Dems win and take the "credit" for left-wing Iraq policy - not "Republicans" like McCain...
McCain is not endorsed by actual Republicans...
If someone likes McCain's policies then they should join the DNC and take him with - that's why the DNC exists - it is not the RNC's purpose to run the DNC platform - and it never will be...
??
February 6, 2008 - 20:03 ET by funkdomeHow is McCain's Iraq policy "left-wing"?
Also, if you don't like McCain maybe it is you who should leave the RNC. Republicans have chosen McCain.
If anyone is going to leave
February 6, 2008 - 21:07 ET by Free StinkerIf anyone is going to leave the GOP, why not RINOs such as yourself?
We won't miss you.
Newsbusters. Log on and find out What the heck is so yummy over here!
Free... Maybe I can help
February 6, 2008 - 21:21 ET by Clear thinkerFree...
Maybe I can help funk out.
Top McCain Flip Flops
1. Taxes
McCain was one of two Republican senators to vote against the Bush tax cuts of 2001, saying that he coult not support a tax cut that went to rich Americans rather than middle class Americans. He now favors making the tax cuts permanent.
2. Religious Right
During the 2002 election campaign, McCain attacked Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson as "agents of intolerance." He withdrew that remark in a 2006 interview with Meet the Press, saying that the Christian Right had a "major role to play in the Republican party."
3. Immigration
Last year, McCain sponsored a bill that would combine a temporary worker program and path to citizenship for many illegal immigrants with increased border security. But he now puts the emphasis on securing the borders first.
4. Roe vs Wade
In August 1999, McCain told the San Francisco Chronicle that he would "not support repeal of Roe vs Wade" because it would force women to undergo illegal operations. He has subsequently said that he was speaking about the need to change the "culture of America", and supports the repeal of Roe vs Wade.
5. Ethanol
In 2003, McCain said that ethanol "does nothing to reduce fuel consumption, nothing to increase our energy independence, nothing to improve air quality." Campaigning in Iowa in August 2006, he described ethanol as a "vital alternative energy source, not only because of our dependency on foreign oil but its greenhouse reduction effects." Yesterday, in Massachusetts, he reverted to his anti-ethanol position.
The Conservative movement is about to be reborn.
Scarbourogh is right - the media stole California from Romney
February 6, 2008 - 08:48 ET by Dee BunkHe was ahead in the polls and the media scared Republicans in California into thinking Huckabee had a chance so Romeny supporters voted for McCain.
Disgusting.
→ Don't think so Dee
February 6, 2008 - 08:53 ET by Cool ArrowThe early tallies were probably from rural areas which are easier and faster to count. We're more likely dealing with a demographic difference than anything the Media can pull together in a matter of hours.
♣ a seal
Cool - I'm talking about Polls vs results not beginning tallies
February 6, 2008 - 08:58 ET by Dee BunkThe polls were still open and the media were shilling for Huckabee. There is no doubt it had an impact. Californians did not want Huckabee to have a chance
→ Statistically impossible
February 6, 2008 - 09:08 ET by Cool ArrowMcCain 42%
Romney 34%
Huckabee 12%
Now where is this vote swing that took place?
♣ a seal
Huckabee gave California to McCain and the Homosexual Agenda
February 6, 2008 - 09:31 ET by PopularTechMcCain: "Gay Marriage Should be Allowed" (Video)
Gay Republicans Flock To McCain (The New York Sun)
McCain: Same-sex marriage ban is un-Republican (CNN)
The Anti 'Man-Made' Global Warming Resource
Cool - the polls had Romney up as much as 7% over McCain
February 6, 2008 - 12:07 ET by Dee BunkThe most recent polls by had Romney that is a 15% swing and the media caused it.
Sabotage?
February 6, 2008 - 09:41 ET by mattmThe MSM and Libs hate Romney, and they love McCain. What the heck more does anyone need to know.
The only possible way McCain is the GOP nominee is because of Democrat crossover voters and/or Media hype.
My state is a caucus state, where it's harder to cross over and sabotage the other Party's nominating process, and we picked Romney.
McCain is NOT the true GOP candidate. I smell a rat.
Why the media hated Romney
February 6, 2008 - 09:57 ET by political mavenBecause he has actually done constructive work in the real world. He doesn't make millions by simply reading a script & looking into the camera with lots of makeup. The political hacks & info-babes detest people in the real sector doing real things.
I just can't belive that so many millions of people are voting for a career politician (McCain) when we all constantly declare how much we don't trust politicians.
This McCain Character screwed us with the Incumbent Protection Act (campaign finance reform) which places no restriction on The NY Slimes & Washington Compost from running editorials & swaying opinion, yet doesn't let the rest of us express our views with ads during a campaign.
He wants to turn the border into a jail break, and he lies about his opponent. How in the world are Republicans so stupid?
I understand the Dems, they love Obama's empty platitudes with no thought as to how this nothing with zero accomplishments will run the military. Just think about the average Dem voter...low wage earners, usually means, lower IQs.Single moms, broken homes, just waiting for a handout from the Government. This has always been the attraction of Marxism to the financial underclass...we understand them. They don't put much thought into cause & effect, they just look at their candidates like they would a rock star or athlete. (Except for the elites who love being the ruling class, or enjoy the moral depravity of killing babies yet protecting murderers from execution)
But c'mon Repubs.....McCain? It's not enbough that Bush shafted us on spending, immigration, & getting into bed with Kennedy on the the bloated do-nothing education bill?
You want another POLITICIAN? I just don't get it. So MAC was a prisoner of war....it was tough for him. What does that mean with regard to being truthful & being devoted to the constitution? Im sure there are many former POW's who although had it rough, doesn't make them qualified for dog-catcher!
I heard Joe this
February 6, 2008 - 10:23 ET by bigtimerI heard Joe this morning....everything he said regarding the msm and the talking heads ect. is completely dead on...as if we here don't know that...I thank him for putting this out over the airwaves on msnbc of all places...
As to last night, I was disappointed with Haley Barbour getting on all the msm shows with his insinuations about having to stick with McCain...even though he didn't say those exact words that is what he meant, in the mean time the polls were still open in Ca.
I was glad to see people in the NW for the most part and Alaska still have some brains....sarc ought to be happy about Paul coming in second after Romney here in Mt...
I am so disgusted with all of this attempt at cramming McCain down our throats I have to just take a break from all of this for a bit.
I am going to be curious what McCain has to say when he is speaking at CPac I think tomorrow or next day...very curious.
I hope Mitt keeps on keeping on if he thinks it is feasible to do so...I hope til Mar. 4th....
There's a way to keep Mitt running
February 6, 2008 - 11:31 ET by IamTinmanJust put your money where your mouth is. Mitt has spent an awful lot of his own money just to get to this point. An infusion of cash would help him to continue.
The delegate count doesn't mean that McCain is the overwhelming favorite of the GOP, it just means that he has successfully split the conservative vote.
McCain has a big speech coming up at cPAC. If he cannot convince the conservative base that he's their man the race will tighten up dramatically.
Leon's Brillant Post
February 6, 2008 - 11:47 ET by ShaftBigScoreThe Real silly post is commenting on Romney's "creepy religion". That takes an astute political mind to whip that one on the screen. Please provide the Article and Section in the Constitution where it states a Mormon can not be US President.
I favor the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and it must be enforced at gunpoint if necessary. President Ronald Reagan
MSM 'Blinded By Hatred' of "Those People"
February 6, 2008 - 11:51 ET by Gary HallOther than the Jim Lehrer show on PBS calling Mitt Romney, Ed Romney last night, what does one expect when over on MSNBC, one can hear Chris Matthews, just off camera, belly laughing (or was it the Hillary cackle?) over how Tom Brokaw described what the MSM sees as the Republican mess, and then Brokaw, the former anchor, piling it on in describing the Republican candidates as, "those people."
MSM 'Blinded By Hatred' of "Those People." For them, Mitt Romney is simply the immediate fuel for the task at hand. Lacking Romney, in a moment's notice, the target would be another Republican candidate. Soon enough, McCain will be the fodder - they will rip apart on every angle under the sun, age, mental status, cancer status, marriage, his temper, and instead of approving of his more moderate stance (something that the MSM does approve of) they will continue to rip him for that. In fact, the MSM will enable the left to despise McCain for his more moderate view of tax cuts, on immigration reform, and for balancing the budget via cutting out pork.
Already on the street, the far left, students included, have been indoctrinated; they begin conversations laced with "how can anyone like him [them - the lot], he's [they're] not a true conservative." What the ____ do they care about that?
Exactly Gary - The media tore down McCain until they realized
February 6, 2008 - 13:04 ET by Dee Bunkthey could get worse. Remember all of the talk how Republicans were abandoning him because of his war stance? That was the narrative and "explanation" for his failed campaign even though every other candidate had the same position on the war. His war stance hasn't changed. The only thing that changed is they were dogging him until they realized that they could get worse.
The media made him and they already showed how easily they can take him down. They will go right back to dogging him if he wins the nomination. They may go a little easier on him than they did before only because they know he has no chance of winning./p>
I think the fact that
February 6, 2008 - 13:07 ET by Matthew Sheffieldhe won in NH helped him mainly.
Had McCain failed to win there, even the LSM would have put a fork in him.
Yeah - you are right Matthew - but you don't hear any talk
February 6, 2008 - 13:16 ET by Dee Bunkabout his war stance hurting him. In fact they now admit that it's the only thing that has kept him alive. When the general comes and he's losing their narrative will be that it's because of his stance on the war.
I need to start watching Joe
February 6, 2008 - 12:05 ET by candanceFox & Friends has become a tabloid show. I stopped watching that altogether. And last night with their so-callled analysis of the election that was shameful. Romney comes in 2nd, wins a bunch of states, has twice the delegates of Huckabee, but they keep saying over and over that Romney's a loser.
Fred Barnes and Bill Kristol have lost all respect from me.
Joe is dead on here. All you ever hear about Romney on TV is "oh you mean that Mormon guy? He sucks."
Don't get too excited about the hypocritical Joe Scarborough
February 6, 2008 - 12:50 ET by RJJoe Scarborough plays this little disingenuous two-faced game all the time, and not just with Huckabee.
For example, in Huckabee's case Scarborough points fingers at the MSM as disliking Romney, while his program has had Huckabee on more times than any other program. Scarborough even appeared on stage with Huckabee at a rally in Texas, where they played guitar together.
In fact, Scarborough bragged this morning that his program "made" Huckabee by pushing him before others got on board....and Huckabee agreed.
"I really like Mike Huckabee." -uber lib Mika Brezinski
RJ - two face is better than the one face of the MSM
February 6, 2008 - 13:08 ET by Dee BunkRJ - two face is better than the one face of the MSM.
Oh, I watch him, too, Dee
February 6, 2008 - 13:21 ET by RJ...and isn't it sad that he represents the "best" of morning programming?
I'm just giving a little perspective for those who think they'll be getting more than a marginal improvement when they tune him in.
"I really like Mike Huckabee." -uber lib Mika Brezinski
RJ - I don't even watch him. I rely on Mark for that
February 6, 2008 - 13:27 ET by Dee BunkI really don't watch any of these goofs on T.V. anymore. I can't take it. I had the T.V. on last night for the election coverage and it made me sick - and I only had on Fox. They were so bad that I can't even imagine how the networks were.
Well then, Joe really threw
February 6, 2008 - 12:20 ET by maggieqpublicWell then, Joe really threw down the challenge, didn’t he? Any MSM election “analysts” care to respond to his words? I hope so.
Republican politicians and members of the party establishment threw their support behind the MSM McCain narrative…. these folks were falling all over themselves giving primary-eve endorsements.
And to think primary campaigns used to be about VOTERS selecting a candidate for the General Election.
"And to think primary
February 6, 2008 - 15:21 ET by mvfreeman"And to think primary campaigns used to be about VOTERS selecting a candidate for the General Election. "
It still is. Apparently too many of them let themselves be persuaded how to vote by some talking head on tv, the web, or radio because they are too lazy to do some simple research on a candidate, his positions, or past voting record.
I'm just curious as to where all the conservative primary voters are. It seems as though the party isn't as far to the right as people here would like otherwise Romney would be winning, if indeed he is the "true" conservative.
1) voter laziness…..
February 6, 2008 - 19:38 ET by maggieqpublic1) voter laziness….. agreed
2) the Republican Party may be moving to the left…. agreed
3) aggressive lobbying by the MSM and Republican Party establishment (on behalf of McCain) before most primary contests….. palpable