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Obama And The Media

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Jul 23, 2008 7:16 pm US/Eastern

Obama And The Media

Reporting
Jim DeFede
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(CBS4) Barack Obama's trip to the Middle East has given the candidate the kind of press coverage his opponent, John McCain, could only whine about.

The pictures have shown Obama mingling with troops in Kuwait, rubbing elbows with local officials in Afghanistan, and having breakfast with soldiers in Iraq.

When asked what it was like to eat breakfast with the troops, Obama responded, "The food is great, but the company is even better."

But the image of the trip so far, the photo opportunity of all photo opportunities, was Obama draining a three-pointer on a basketball court. Call it the shot seen round the world.

In an age of metaphor obsessed journalists, Obama's three-pointer hit nothing but the bottom of the net in the symbolism department.

Too bad the video from all of these images, and interviews, came from the Department of Defense. No American journalists were allowed near Obama during his visit to Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan.

Security was obviously a concern, but the restrictions on Obama's press corps were nonetheless troubling. It's hard to remember another candidate for president being that controlling with the media, especially a press corps that has been nothing but infatuated with him.

While Obama was overseas, McCain flew to New Hampshire. When he arrived, one reporter and one photographer. I had more people meet me at the airport the last time I flew home to New York.  

The McCain campaign posted on their website Wednesday, two videos touting the press's love affair with Obama.

If McCain sounds like a jilted lover, it's because, in a way, he is. Back in 2000, it was McCain the press made goo-goo eyes over. Now McCain's interaction with the press is like what happens when you run into an old girlfriend who time has not been kind to, it's awkward, uncomfortable and you can't wait for it to be over.

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