SAN-
I'd caught that, but thanks for bringing it to my attention.
A couple things.
1. Why bring the anchors and not a couple reporters? It's hugely symbolic.
2. Assuming the story you related earlier (about McCain not formally inviting) is true... it isn't that difficult to make it happen if a network really cares to... AND... do you really think McCain wouldn't want the media attention?
My opinion is that ANY candidate would love the attention. You and I don't know the details as to what goes on regarding candidate/reporter travel interaction.
It's possible - and I'm not necessarily suggesting this is the case - but it's possible the press "demands" certain accomodations. If the McCain camp doesn't agree to all of them, the press can say they weren't welcome because McCain turned them down.
By the same token, McCain could have placed restrictions on the reporters as a pre-condition for them hanging around. If the network refuses, the network can simply stay away and it's left to McCain to whine (as YAV suggested I'm doing) that he's not getting publicity. As the candidate it comes off as petty or childish for McCain to do so... so he's basically left without media coverage and without an effective means of raising the issue to Americans without sounding petty.
My thought is each network ought to have a policy whereby they try to be fair in their coverage of such events. Same for the conventions. Is it proper to only cover one party's convention? I know all networks have really scaled back their coverage... but at least it's done to both parties.
Opinion/analysis/commentary is one thing. As a major network news outlet purporting to be fair, credible, etc., it's hard for them to maintain that stance when coverage is slanted so heavily toward one side.
Beyond that... and what I think really frustrates cons... is how networks (and newspapers) cling to this facade of remaining unbaised. If they were simply honest about their agenda they'd be more credible for me.
Off the soapbox now.