In yet another example of the double standard in covering the Presidential candidates, the Los Angeles Times ignored a remarkable event that occurred when John Kerry and John Edwards made a stop at a Wendy's on the campaign trail in New York.

        Here's how the Times reported it today ("Kerry, Bush On the Road Again," p. A17):

"Kerry and Edwards, traveling with their wives, stopped for lunch in Newburgh, N.Y., population 28,000. In keeping with the Edwards' wedding anniversary tradition, they ate at Wendy's. 'I'm treating,' Kerry told his running mate, as they entered the restaurant to a round of applause."

        What the Times failed to tell its readers was that a lot more happened on this seemingly innocuous photo-op.

        Among the patrons at Wendy's who were not applauding were four Marines, whom Kerry eventually approached in the restaurant. According to an article in the New York Post, the Marines were not rude to the candidate, but they were "polite but curt" in answering his questions with a simple "yes, sir" or "no, sir." But after Kerry walked away, the Marines "turned nasty," according to the Post.

"He imposed on us and I disagree with him coming over here shaking our hands," one Marine said, adding, "I'm 100 percent against [him]."

A sergeant with 10 years of service under his belt said, "I speak for all of us. We think that we are doing the right thing in Iraq," before saying he is to be deployed there in a few weeks and is "eager" to go and serve.

The Marines — all of whom serve at nearby Stewart Air Force Base — wouldn't give their names.

        But -- surprise! -- this episode was nowhere to be found in the Los Angeles Times coverage.

 

TheMediaReport.com asks ... How would the Times have reacted if this exact same episode occurred with President Bush?