The Occasional Observer

Just when you thought the new media had made the news safe for the truth again, John McIntyre at RealClearPolitics.com comes out with this bit of reporting that is some of the most blatant spinning I've ever seen. I know it's an opinion column, but sticking with reality would be nice.

McIntyre's argument: Rudy and McCain have dealt Mitt a major blow by bowing out of the Ames straw poll, where Mitt had hoped to build momentum against the would-be "frontrunners."

Let me get this straight. Rudy and McCain ran away from Ames b/c they're already getting killed in polling in Iowa, and they know they can't solve the problem with advertisements b/c Mitt has a hammerlock over them on several issues midwest conservatives care about (namely, abortion and immigration). And that's a huge win for Rudy and Johnny Mac?

Oh sure, I guess I can see where Rudy and John would decide it's worse to lose than pre-emptively surrender. But when a reporter can spin that to be "dealing a major blow" to the obviously stronger candidate, that reporter has lost all credibility.

McIntyre's been shilling for Rudy on Kudlow's radio program, among other places, but I never thought he'd stoop to such obvious campaigning in his column.

By way of contrast, Pat Buchanan offers a conclusion that seems a little more grounded in reality:

Mitt Romney has been robbed of a triumph over his two main rivals on Aug. 11. They evaded the trap he had set. But in running Rudy and John out of Ames, Romney has shown real strength, and must now be the favorite to take Iowa in January and probably is the man to beat in New Hampshire.