This discussion reflects upon the interplay between presidential candidates and the media. We examine a few PR moments from this epic election and you can then debate whether you feel these instances were more helpful or hurtful to the candidates? images.

Obama?s Inference about Clinton?s Character and Judgment

In the midst of a heated debate in South Carolina where Clinton and Obama unleashed a number of charges against one another, Obama asserted that Clinton was ?a corporate lawyer sitting on the board of Wal-Mart? while he was working on the streets in the interest of public welfare.

Clinton?s Assertions of Media Bias

During the final Democratic presidential debate before the public cast their votes in Texas, Ohio, Vermont, and Rhode Island, Hillary Clinton suggested that the media was biased in favor of Obama and, in referencing a Saturday Night Live skit, said ?maybe we should ask Barack if he?s comfortable and needs another pillow.?

McCain?s Interaction with a New York Times Reporter

John McCain was recently questioned by a New York Times reporter traveling with him about an article alleging that he never had a conversation with former presidential nominee John Kerry in 2004 on the topic of being his potential running mate. McCain responded by stating that ?everybody knows that? he did have a conversation with Kerry. When pressed by the reporter on the particulars of the conversation, he refused to divulge any information, citing that it was personal in nature.

The media is the gatekeeper to the presidency, and the candidates do their best to harness this powerful force in a way that best projects their images and ideals. Sometimes their words and actions are portrayed favorably, and sometimes not. Ultimately, the public must decide which messages derived from the media are most pertinent, are most reflective of the candidates? true character and viewpoints, are most accurate, unbiased, and untainted, and are ultimately worth paying attention to and reflecting upon.

Overall, how do you feel the candidates fared here in terms of helping or hurting their images, and who do you feel best utilizes the media to adequately project the messages they wish to convey to their publics?