Hey, The Star, I’ve got an idea for you

by David Safier

Yesterday I called The Star a wholly owned subsidiary of the McCain campaign for using an anti-Glassman jibe from Republican City Council member Steve Kozachik, which was included in a McCain email, as if it were some kind of spontaneous pronouncement. Then the Star capped it off with a comment from the McCain campaign to amplify what Kozachik said.

I suggested, if the Star wants to give candidates a level playing field, as any responsible newspaper should (Yeah, right!), it owes Glassman a make-up call — a hit against McCain, followed by a comment from the Glassman campaign.

Steve Colbert has given the Political Notebook a golden opportunity. In a wonderful segment which AZ Blue Meanie posted below (and I'm posting again because it's just that wonderful), Colbert has an old-McCain vs. new-McCain face off which is damning and accurate. It's one of those "It's funny because it's true" moments Colbert and Stewart are famous for.

So, The Star's Political Notebook, here's my idea. Summarize the Colbert piece, then give the Glassman campaign a chance to comment. Spokesman Blake Morlock would probably have an apt zinger ready for the Notebook-sters. He's always good for a snappy one liner. Then you could throw in a short response from the McCain campaign at the end. It would make for excellent copy.

What do you think? (Oh, and there's no need to thank me.)