Cowboy Confessional

I stand corrected.  The New York Times can be honest after all, but only when confessing to their dishonesty.

In this election year, publishing presidential policy proposals helps to inform voters so they can make intelligent decisions.  The Old Gray Broad recently ran a Barack Obama missive on his plans concerning Iraq.  Fair enough.  The Times also sought a similar piece from John McCain (though I doubt they have the stomach to ask Bob Barr).  Also fair.

The Times declined to publish McCain’s op/ed because he refused to change his policy to match those held by the Times’ editorial board.  In their rejection letter to the McCain camp they wrote:

“Let me suggest an approach … the article would have to … lay out a clear plan for achieving victory — with troops levels, timetables and measures for compelling the Iraqis to cooperate.”

(emphasis mine)

The newspaper has in effect required a candidate to change his position on an issue to get equal coverage.   McCain has discounted fixed timetables for withdraw, preferring to base withdraw on when the safety of the Iraqi people can be reasonably assured.  They know McCain’s position and this reply cannot be a simple minded mistake (though I have no doubt of the simple mindedness of New York Times editors).

This may be unprecedented in the tortured history of journalism and explains why major metro newspaper subscription rates are dropping faster than Congress’s popularity with voters.

Now you know who you can’t trust with perfect clarity.

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