Dean Reynolds from CBS news writes an interesting article. In it he provides comparisons between working and traveling with the Obama campaign and the McCain campaign. Under normal circumstances this wouldn’t be material worth a post but then, this isn’t a normal Presidential race.
After painting Obama as the campaign master with a full, aggressive schedule, he goes on to the comparisons.
Reynolds complains that the Obama campaign is so full that it has a tough time making and sticking to schedules:
Obama’s campaign schedule is fuller, more hectic and seemingly improvisational. The Obama aides who deal with the national reporters on the campaign plane are often overwhelmed, overworked and un-informed about where, when, why or how the candidate is moving about. Baggage calls are preposterously early with the explanation that it’s all for security reasons.
If so, I would love to have someone from Obama’s campaign explain why the entire press corps, the Secret Service, and the local police idled for two hours in a Miami hotel parking lot recently because there was nothing to do and nowhere to go. It was not an isolated case.
About McCain’s scheduling he says:
The McCain folks are more helpful and generally friendly. The schedules are printed on actual books you can hold in your hand, read, and then plan accordingly. The press aides are more knowledgeable and useful to us in the news media. The events are designed with a better eye, and for the simple needs of the press corps. When he is available, John McCain is friendly and loquacious. Obama holds news conferences, but seldom banters with the reporters who’ve been following him for thousands of miles around the country. Go figure.
Reynolds makes specific examples of how the campaigns work to accommodate and make best use of the press traveling with them. About Obama:
Nor is there much sympathy for those of us who report for a newscast that airs in the early evening hours. Our shows place a premium on live reporting from the scene of campaign events. But this campaign can often be found in the air and flying around at the time the “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric” is broadcast.
In comparison, regarding McCain:
The other day in Albuquerque, N.M., the reporters were given almost no time to file their reports after McCain spoke. It was an important, aggressive speech, lambasting Obama’s past associations. When we asked for more time to write up his remarks and prepare our reports, the campaign readily agreed to it. They understood.
Even the plane environment is different between the two campaigns:
The McCain campaign plane is better than Obama’s, which is cramped, uncomfortable and smells terrible most of the time. Somehow the McCain folks manage to keep their charter clean, even where the press is seated.
Some may dismiss this as the whining of a broadcast ego having to do actual work. While I can’t rule that out, it doesn’t really matter to the larger issue I note in his writing.
In Reynolds description I see the definition of the two men that Reynolds has been following. Knowingly or not, of Barack Obama Reynolds writes that he is:
- Egotistic – He sees no reason to keep the folks responsible for supporting him informed. People appear to be required just to assume that “The One” has a good reason without need for explanation.
- Self Centered – yea I know running for President is important but don’t you think a could at least let people know what the plan is for the day?
- Insensitive to other people’s needs and issues – unwilling to let the people who are trying to get him elected attend to the jobs that will help that cause? Can’t even provide for common cleaning and
Reynolds’ article describes McCain as, well, the exact opposite.
There’s nothing really new in what Reynolds describes of Obama. The traits that come to the forefront are traits that we’ve known about him for awhile.
If Reynolds’ assessment is typical of other reporters who have traveled with both campaigns, I find it odd that while the MSM wants Obama to be President, they find no qualities in him that would make him a friend.
To paraphrase an old adage: Character is what people see in you when the camera lights are off!
If only people saw more of Obama without the Hollywood wrapping. If they did, this would be a far different race.
