05/11/08:Media 's right-wing bias protects McCain - John Murphy

Media's right-wing bias protects McCain
Wisconsin State Journal
May 11,2008 

Right-wing politicians complain that there is a liberal bias in the media, yet one need only look at the Rev. Wright brouhaha to see the opposite. The attention this man has received, particularly from FOX News, has been astounding, yet right-wing preachers, who say things that are at least as offensive and are considered on the "lunatic fringe, " go under the radar.

For example, Pat Robertson and the late Jerry Falwell discussed Katrina 's devastating effects on New Orleans and the Sept. 11, 2001, New York twin tower devastation as God 's revenge on sinners, especially homosexuals. Many right-wing politicians are supported by these preachers, but it gets scant mention in some back page of the newspaper.

The most recent double standard was the Rev. John Hagee 's endorsement of Sen. John McCain. McCain pursued the endorsement even though he was aware of Hagee 's derogatory comments about the Roman Catholic Church. Media silence prevailed and, as far as I know, the Catholic Church as well.

This is offensive and, without a denial from McCain of Hagee 's endorsement, leaves me wondering how McCain views my religion.

This double standard leaves little doubt in my mind that there is a media bias in America, but it is not "liberal. "