John McCain Creating a Common Enemy

When I woke up Thursday morning, I was shocked to see cable TV outlets reporting that the New York Times had a front-page story "documenting" John McCain's extramarital affair and influence peddling relationship with a Washington lobbyist (see NYT story here).

However, as the day went on and I learned more, I began to notice how John McCain had subtly turned the story into an opportunity for conservatives to hate the New York Times (something they like to do). Conservatives, including those who have strongly criticized McCain, began coming to McCain's defense and attacking the New York Times (source; source; source; source; source; source).

Then, I received the following email from John McCain's campaign manager (who, ironically, happens to be a lobbyist--but the letter never said this, of course [source]).




Notice how John McCain is creating a common enemy in the New York Times.

So, how did this turn out?

• McCain had his best 24 hour online fundraising ever on Friday--the day after the story ran. (NY Times).
• From CNN on Friday night at 8pm EST: "Even Rush Limbaugh is defending McCain against 'The Times' story about McCain and lobbyists. And a source tells CNN's John King that, in the past 24 hours, McCain's campaign has raised a startling $2 million after sending out an e-mail saying: We need money to help defend ourselves against these attacks. Well, joining me now from Washington is Alfred Regnery. He is the publisher of "The American Spectator." He has not endorsed a candidate yet, but he has contributed to McCain. He has also written "Upstream: The Ascendance of American Conservatism." And from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for us tonight, Tony Perkins. He is president of the Family Research Council and author of "Personal Faith, Public Policy." (transcript)