McCain Camp Hitting Back Hard On Media's Handling of Palin

  John McCain's campaign is throwing a pretty unprecedented attack against the media over the constant coverage of "every rumor and smear" against vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

  Steven Schmidt, the campaign's top strategist, is accusing the media of relentless attacks that normally would not even be considered. His accusations came during an interview with The Washington Post.

  Among his complaints include questions of whether Palin's son is actually hers; whether or not she was properly "vetted"; and whether she'd submit to a DNA test to prove her latest child is hers.

  Quote: Schmidt, a former spokesman for President Bush and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, talked openly about his frustrations in an interview with The Washington Post. He said the McCain camp is in the middle of the worst media "feeding frenzy" he has ever seen.

The fact that unsubstantiated allegations appear on the Internet "is not a license for smearing" Palin, he said. "The campaign has been inundated by hundreds and hundreds of calls from some of the most respected reporters and news organizations. Many reporters have called the campaign and have apologized for asking the questions and said, 'Our editors are making us do this, and I am ashamed.' "