Rubber bullets

In another era, the mainstream media might have seen it as their duty to probe deeply and reveal to the public as much about Obama as they could. But the days of a fiercely independent, disinterested, tough-but-fair press are over. Too many American journalists have become partisans, propagandists, and lackeys.

In another era – say, four years ago — independent political groups would have focused the public’s attention on such issues. One reason that did not happen this time: restrictions on political speech — gussied up as “campaign-finance reform” and championed by none other than John McCain.

Those who helped the Swift Boat Veterans tell their tales about serving under John Kerry’s command were warned by their lawyers that it would cost them more than just money if they were responsible for ads questioning Obama’s fitness for office. They’d be served subpoenas and find themselves confronting hostile congressional committees. They might suffer other forms of harassment as well.

Of course, McCain himself could have forced this debate into the public square. But he was either unwilling or unable to do what needed to be done. Though a military man by breeding and training, as a candidate he shot rubber bullets and pulled his punches.