McCain lovefest: The media, Pundits and Jon Stewart

A meme that has been around for years and is gathering steam once again is that John McCain is a Media darling. Ironic really, the sheen of Obama has worn off as the Democratic primary protracts and gets uglier. Saturday Night Live kickstarted a media backlash with it's mocking and critique of the media's fawning treatment of Obama. In this wake John McCain has reemerged as the top darling of the media.

On a recent episode of Seder on Sundays, host Sam Seder had an interesting conversation with a caller followed up by a discussion with his former cohost Janeane Garofalo. A caller had advanced a theory that much of John McCain's appeal was through his self deprecating and 'good sport' persona projected through his many appearances on the Daily Show with friend Jon Stewart. McCain even guest hosted Saturday Night Live in 2002, affirming his appeal as a cultural figure transcending politics. You could argue he was an 'Obama', before there was an 'Obama' as we know him now...
A Caller speaking to Sam Seder

I know of lot of progressive friends of mine...they were saying they were considering McCain... They seem to get, i'm not kidding, most of their news from the Daily Show. I understand their frustration with mainstream media of course. The Daily Show, as well as other talk shows - but particularly Jon Stewart has really lauded John McCain and presented him as this Maverick and this really cool guy and this progressive thinker...

Sam recounting the conversation to Janeane who has held the same theory for a while

He (McCain) went to SNL and I remember my friend Amy Poehler (comedienne and SNL cast member), the great Amy Poehler telling me that John McCain seemed to have a crush on her. Which told me he had great taste in women... I remember thinking at that time - theres' something appealing about John McCain. He seems to have a sense of humour about himself and he seems to actually believe what he's saying. Now that no longer holds...

Below are list of headings and links from the liberal blogosphere lamenting 'Irrational McCain Love':

From Crooks and Liars
CNN Reporter Doesn’t Know The Difference Between A Legitimate Question & Heckling, Defends McCain. Again.

It is such an indictment on the pathetic notions of journalism from a journalist–especially when it comes to dealing with media darling John McCain–that CNN reporter Jim Acosta can’t even recognize a legitimate question being asked of a presidential candidate and characterized it as being under fire from a heckler...

The Media’s defense of McCain’s 100-years in Iraq comment.

...from emailer Candice:
On Friday night April 4th’s Nightly News, Brian Williams made the claim that McCain had been well received by the crowd at the Motel monument site where Martin Luther King, Jr. was murdered. Not exactly the truth...

The Chris Matthews Show: How big an issue is John McCain’s age?

Argh. Despite polls that show that John McCain’s age is a factor for more voters than Obama’s race or Clinton’s gender, the punditocracy can’t lose their McCain love.

The Warrior King
From liberal blogger Digby of Hullabaloo
Quoting an exchange between anchors Brian Williams and Chris Matthews:

Brian Williams: You know what I thought was unsaid ---they took their position Chris, we're seeing the replay --- they end up in this spot and the sun is coming is just from the side and there in the shadow is John McCain's buckled, concave shoulder. It's a part of his body the suit doesn't fill out because of his war injuries. Again you wouldn't spot it unless you knew to look for it. He doesn't give the same full chested profile as the president standing next to him. Talk about a warrior...

Listen and Download audio of Sam Seder talking with a Caller, then Janeane about McCain's appeal.
Go to an episode Summary of John McCain's appearance on Saturday Night Live.