Another McCain Gaffe? Calling Gen. Petraeus the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff? | 7 comments (7 topical, 0 hidden)
Beware the Rove Effect (none / 1)
Karl Rove used the "lowered expectations" tactic to exempt Bush from most close scrutiny, and McCain is trying to achieve that status right now.

If he succeeds, journalists will cease to care whether McCain mis-speaks or gaffes, because it will be the accepted norm. 

As they say, "Dog bites Man" isn't a story, but "Man bites Dog" is.  "Bush says something stupid" is not a story, but "Kerry says something not-quite-right" is.  Get it?

We Democrats can nip this in the bud by generating a massive reaction to McCain's gaffes now -- today.  Then next time he gaffes we will be justified in "blowing it all up" again and again.  That's what it's going to take.

by DigitalDave on 07/28/2008 04:25:57 PM EST

Another McCain Gaffe? Calling Gen. Petraeus the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff? | 7 comments (7 topical, 0 hidden)