Though I hate to fan the flames of Obama’s San Francisco-gate any longer, I can’t help but notice the way the news media are interpreting McCain’s response to his comments, which, by any standard, has been benign.

The Chicago Tribune, on the front of their site right now, is running a headline that reads: “McCain on Obama’s ‘elitism’: ‘I don’t now him very well.’” (If you can look past the unfortunate misspelling of “know,” it’s a pretty empty statement. No sensationalism here, folks.)

But at the front of the Washington Post’s site - which is generally less given to overplaying minor scandal - is this headline: “McCain Calls Comments ‘Elitist.’”

Of course, the difference lies in whether the term elitist is applied to Obama or to his comments. Both the newspapers, as well as McCain himself, thoroughly understand the implications involved in each. Calling Obama himself an elitist carries much more weight than branding his silly (bone-headed, untrue) comment elitist.

The Trib downplayed the whole affair, placing it at the bottom of a list of articles related to the current back-and-forth about classism, etc. It rests under a Hillary-bashing headline that read: “Shot-and-a-beer brawl.” But the Post put McCain’s response at the top of their similar thread, printing it in bold.

Perspective, perspective, perspective.

Can’t blame the Trib for running this photo lead on their site right now. Look at those eyes.

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