Who is Fair and Balanced?

Surprise, surprise, surprise!

John McCain supporters who believe they haven't gotten a fair shake from the media during the Republican's candidacy against Barack Obama have a new study to point to. Comments made by sources, voters, reporters and anchors that aired on ABC, CBS and NBC evening newscasts over the past two months reflected positively on Obama in 65 percent of cases, compared to 31 percent of cases with regards to McCain, according to the Center for Media and Public Affairs.

ABC's "World News" had more balance than NBC's "Nightly News" or the "CBS Evening News," the group said.

Who would have ever guessed it? Just like one of those studies that determines rich people will be hurt less by a bad economy, we have a new study on the media that reveals the obvious.

Meanwhile, the first half of Fox News Channel's "Special Report" with Brit Hume showed more balance than any of the network broadcasters, although it was dominated by negative evaluations of both campaigns. The center didn't evaluate programs on CNN or MSNBC.

"For whatever reason, the media are portraying Barack Obama as a better choice for president than John McCain," said Robert Lichter, a George Mason University professor and head of the center. "If you watch the evening news, you'd think you should vote for Obama."

Aha! Fox is the fair and balanced network!

ABC recorded 57 percent favorable comments toward the Democrats, and 42 percent positive for the Republicans. NBC had 56 percent positive for the Democrats, 16 percent for the Republicans. CBS had 73 percent positive (Obama), versus 31 percent (McCain).

Hume's telecast had 39 percent favorable comments for McCain and 28 percent positive for the Democratic ticket.

It was the second study in two weeks to remark upon negative coverage for the McCain-Palin ticket. The Project for Excellence in Journalism concluded last week that McCain's coverage has been overwhelmingly negative since the conventions ended, while Obama's has been more mixed.

Ayers Airs Again

Bill Ayers is not about the sixties, he's about right now. Why has he played a role in the political career of Barack Obama considering his past as the co-founder of a domestic terrorist group? Simple question, which Barack tries to dodge in his new ad.



This ad is a response to a pro-McCain ad run by an independent 527 group, the American Issues Project - funded by the same guy who financed the Swift Boat attacks on John Kerry.

The lone financier of the anti-Obama ad, Texas billionaire Harold Simmons, was also one of the main funders of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth who targeted Kerry. Simmons, a McCain fundraiser, contributed nearly $2.9 million to the American Issues Project, according to documents filed by the group with the Federal Election Commission.

Barack, determined not to resemble Kerry in any way, is fighting back aggressively - trying to intimidate the TV stations that accept the ad, and by taking legal action to block its airing.

Obama not only aired a response ad to the spot linking him to William Ayers, but he sought to block stations the commercial by warning station managers and asking the Justice Department to intervene. The campaign also planned to compel advertisers to pressure stations that continue to air the anti-Obama commercial.

It's the type of going-for-the-jugular approach to politics many Democrats complain that Kerry lacked and that Republicans exploit.

Is Barack doing the right thing - trying to trick people into thinking that Ayers doesn't matter? Or should he offer some intelligent explanation for the close ties between himself and Ayers, one that voters could understand? Why doesn't he want to take that approach? He doesn't want Americans to know just how tight he is with the Ayers family.

Mayor Daley's defense of Ayers doesn't help Barack continue the deception that Ayers is just a guy in the neighborhood.

"People keep trying to align himself with Barack Obama," Daley said. "It's really unfortunate. They're friends. So what? People do make mistakes in the past. You move on. This is a new century, a new time. He reflects back and he's been making a strong contribution to our community."

Add a Touch of Forbes

John Kerry for Vice President?

A top aide to U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) during her presidential run this year said Tuesday night that U.S. Sen. John Kerry has been vetted to be presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama's running mate.

Now there's an idea for how Barack can shake the "elitist" rap.

Howard Wolfson, who was the primary spokesman for Clinton's campaign, said that he has "heard some rumors" about Kerry (D-Boston) being vetted on Fox News Tuesday, where he has since become a political analyst.

Wolfson also said that Kerry would be a smart pick for Obama.

Howard must still be a little hot over Hillary's loss to Obama.

"Look, John Kerry has been vetted," Wolfson said. "He ran for president. I think he would be a strong choice. He'd be a good choice, especially in the context of foreign policy."