source: The Huffington Post
ST. PAUL, Minn. — John McCain's campaign on Wednesday angrily called for an end to questions about its review of Sarah Palin's background, deriding a "faux media scandal designed to destroy the first female Republican nominee" for vice president.
"This nonsense is over," declared senior campaign adviser Steve Schmidt in a written statement.
The statement stood out for its admission that Palin is under siege _ it condemns "this vetting controversy" _ and for its attempt to blunt questions about how rigorously McCain and his campaign explored the background of a candidate who may get the nation's second most powerful job. It also suggested that Palin is a victim of gender bias in the media.
"The McCain campaign will have no further comment about our long and thorough process," Schmidt said, lashing out at "the old boys' network" that he says runs media organizations.
Top McCain advisers said they welcome and expect a review of Palin's mayoral and gubernatorial record but that the media has crossed that line with its inquiries.
"Certainly, her record deserves scrutiny, but I think we ought to look at her record," campaign manager Rick Davis told reporters on a conference call. He condemned "the salacious nature" of some news stories designed to "throw dirt at our candidate." He also lamented a "frenzied" mentality on Palin and urged the media to "dial it back."
Davis also called for the same level of scrutiny on Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
McCain's campaign also scheduled a news conference with leading Republican women to defend Palin's executive experience, and released a new campaign ad for key states, an indication that advisers are concerned that a flurry of criticism may be taking a toll on her image.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — John McCain's campaign on Wednesday angrily called for an end to questions about its review of Sarah Palin's background, deriding a "faux media scandal designed to destroy the first female Republican nominee" for vice president.
"This nonsense is over," declared senior campaign adviser Steve Schmidt in a written statement.
The statement stood out for its admission that Palin is under siege _ it condemns "this vetting controversy" _ and for its attempt to blunt questions about how rigorously McCain and his campaign explored the background of a candidate who may get the nation's second most powerful job. It also suggested that Palin is a victim of gender bias in the media.
"The McCain campaign will have no further comment about our long and thorough process," Schmidt said, lashing out at "the old boys' network" that he says runs media organizations.
Top McCain advisers said they welcome and expect a review of Palin's mayoral and gubernatorial record but that the media has crossed that line with its inquiries.
"Certainly, her record deserves scrutiny, but I think we ought to look at her record," campaign manager Rick Davis told reporters on a conference call. He condemned "the salacious nature" of some news stories designed to "throw dirt at our candidate." He also lamented a "frenzied" mentality on Palin and urged the media to "dial it back."
Davis also called for the same level of scrutiny on Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
McCain's campaign also scheduled a news conference with leading Republican women to defend Palin's executive experience, and released a new campaign ad for key states, an indication that advisers are concerned that a flurry of criticism may be taking a toll on her image.
