According to researchers from the liberal press monitoring group, Media Matters for America, presumed Republican presidential nominee John McCain is being coddled by the Washington press corps while his Democratic rivals are scrutinized to a fare-thee-well. Their new book, Mc Cain's Free Ride offers detailed evidence arguing that for years, journalists uncritically burnished McCain's image as a "straight-talking" "maverick" leader, despite the fact that his voting record consistently supports the Bush administration.





