McCain, according to The Professionals

Remember, blogs and talk radio can't be trusted, because bloggers and hosts are so biased. Not like the professionals in the MSM.

Of which, now, an example from Politico.

Perhaps reluctantly, the article is forced to pass along some (color-me-pleasantly-surprised) great John McCain lines about the Obamessiah:

“...even the most stirring speeches are easily forgotten when they're short on content. Taking in my opponent's performances is a little like watching a big summer blockbuster, and an hour in, realizing that all the best scenes were in the trailer you saw last fall. In the way of running mates, Sen. Obama should consider someone with a knack for brevity and directness, to balance the ticket.

“In the meantime, let me take a stab at a plot summary of the Obama campaign: America is finally winning in Iraq, and he wants to forfeit. Government is too big, and he wants to grow it. Taxes are too high, and he wants to raise them. Congress spends too much, and he proposes more. We need more energy, and he's against producing it.”

It may have been painful for the Mike Allen to record such direct-hits. But he did his best to defuse the remarks, reporting it as "mocking the oratorical gifts [—not alleged gifts] of Barack Obama... McCain sneers ...McCain snarks at Obama 10 times ...McCain’s gibe about a less windy running mate is part of a continuing effort [—not successful?] by the Republican’s presidential campaign to turn Obama’s strengths [—not perceived strengths or alleged strengths or much-touted strengths or self-promoted strengths or attempted strengths?] against him."

By contrast, "Obama ...declares [— not pronounces, nor "tries to" anything]....In a bit of onedownmanship [— not attempted, and not "trying to" do anything], Obama says [—not snarks nor sneers nor whines]...."

Ah, isn't it great to have Truth funneled to us, predigested, from the Experts?

Why would Allen color his reporting in this manner, depicting McCain as a peevish, nasty, snarly jerk? Maybe he gives the answer himself: "...Americans usually vote for the more likable presidential candidate." Ah, that's it. He's just telling us which is "more likable." That would be the gifted, youthful declarer. Not the snarky, sneery guy.

Thus endeth another lesson in an ongoing series.

UPDATE: on the other hand (turning from the ever-popular topic of media bias to the ever-popular topic of what a pinhead McCain can be) you see reports like these which, if true, means McCain is every bit as clueless as we fear, has a political death-wish, and has very little chance of defeating The Obama's candidacy. Now, this may well be a planted rumor intended to upset whatever is left of McCain's base. But the fact is, no astute observer can say, "What? Nonsense! McCain would never be so feckless and stupid and treacherous!" Because, well, sadly....