Although busy with other assignments, we haven’t stopped observing the Media Herd. Frankly, there hasn’t been much to report – except for the incomprehensible tragedies in Myanmar and China. But since neither event killed scores of vacationing Westerners (along with many tens of thousands of locals) like the 2004 Christmas Day Tsunami did, Media Herd interest won’t be as enduring. Sure, Myanmar has largely shunned both international relief and journalists, but even if they weren’t banned, it’s hard to see interest in that tragedy competing against Kellie Pickler’s boobs. But we digress.
Time Magazine’s Joe Klein asked Sen. McCain a string of questions recently about the leadership of Iran and why McCain keeps referring to Ahmadinejad as the leader when in fact he’s merely a figurehead and that the real power in Iran lies with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Get it: Supreme Leader.
Anyone who has the time MUST watch the exchange between Klein and McCain if only to listen to McCain’s uncomfortable laughter contrast against the seriousness of Klein’s questioning.
KLEIN: I’ve done some research, and um -
MCCAIN: I have too.KLEIN: Also checked, also checked with the Obama campaign and he never, he’s never sai — mentioned Ahmadinejad directly by name. He did say he would negotiate with the leaders, but as you know – Ayatollah,
MCCAIN: (Laughing) Ahmadinejad is, was the leader.
KLEIN: But if -
MCCAIN: Maybe I’m mistaken.
KLEIN: Maybe you are, because -
MCCAIN: Maybe. I don’t think so though.
KLEIN: The Supreme, you know, according to most diplomatic experts, the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is the guy who’s in charge of Iranian foreign policy and also in charge of the nuclear program, but you never mention him. Do you, you know, um, why do you always keep talking about Ahmadinejad since he doesn’t have power in that, in that realm?
MCCAIN: Oh I thin-Again, I respectfully disagree. When he’s the person that comes to the United Nations and declares his country’s policy is the extermination of the state of Israel, quote, in his words, wipe them off of the map, then I know that he is speaking for the Iranian government and articulating their policy and he was elected and is running for reelection as the leader of that country. Yes sir, go ahead.
NEW REPORTER: One more quest-
MCCAIN: I mean, the fact is he’s the acknowledged leader of that country and you may disagree, but that’s a uh, that’s your right to do so, but I think if you asked any average American who the leader of Iran is, I think they’d know. Go ahead. Or anyone who’s well-versed in the issue.
Bottom Line: Given that part of the reason Americans supported the Iraq war was because they believe Saddam was behind 9/11 and that the Bush Administration and the dutiful Media Herd allowed that misconception to stand, shouldn’t this be more of a story? Isn’t it important to clarify these issues?
