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Monday, August 22, 2011

Why the Press Loves Jon Huntsman but Ignores Ron Paul - Conor Friedersdorf - The Atlantic

Why the Press Loves Jon Huntsman but Ignores Ron Paul - Conor Friedersdorf - Politics - The Atlantic:

"As much as I agree with ... the other journalists praising Huntsman for challenging orthodoxies of thought in the GOP, however, I am struck by the very different standards that govern coverage of two other candidates, Ron Paul and Gary Johnson.

"Neither Huntsman nor Johnson nor Paul is likely to win. All three are challenging orthodoxies of thought in their party. In doing so, all have an opportunity 'to affect the political conversation for the better'....

"Huntsman is challenging orthodoxies of thought that afflict the GOP alone, and taking positions that reflect the conventional wisdom in the media.... In contrast, Johnson and Paul are challenging orthodoxies of thought that are bi-partisan in nature and implicate much of the political and media establishment. There is a strong case to be made that their libertarian voices are more vital....

"For questioning America's aggressive, interventionist foreign policy and its failed War on Drugs, policies that are tremendously costly, consequential, and executed in ways that are immoral and demonstrably damaging to our civil liberties, Paul and Johnson aren't given points for speaking uncomfortable truths, shining light on evasions, or affecting the political conversation for the better.

"They're ignored, and the excuse given is that they can't win."

Read more: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/08/why-the-press-loves-jon-huntsman-but-ignores-ron-paul/243910/

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