Dana Bash aroused the ire of the pro-Paul brigade on Monday, when her questions to the Republican prompted his spokesman to angrily cut off an interview with her.
On Tuesday, Revolution PAC, a Super PAC dedicated to supporting Paul's candidacy, issued a press release calling for Bash to be removed from covering the campaign. The PAC cited comments Bash made earlier in January.
"I'm sure you talk to Republicans who are worried as well, just like I am, that Ron Paul will continue on long into the spring and summer," Bash said to husband and CNN colleague John King. Revolution PAC seized on the "just like I am" comment to say that Bash exhibited "strong" and "disturbing" bias against Paul. (See OUTRAGE! CNN Again Traps Ron Paul with Twisted Question)
It seems likely that Bash was telling King that, "just like" him, she was hearing from worried Republicans. Paul supporters, however, are clearly choosing a less charitable take on her words.
The attacks come as Paul is contending with a sharp increase in his media attention in the wake of his strong showing in the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary.
Though there may be an ongoing attempt within the Paul campaign to broaden his reach, some have accused the media of keeping him in the dark by imposing a blackout on the presidential candidate.
Even Jon Stewart of the Daily Show called the media out in August for "pretending Ron Paul doesn't exist" in the GOP race.
HuffPost's Jason Linkins concluded that, considering Paul's candidacy and results, the lack of coverage was inexcusable: "But while we can all agree to be realistic about Paul's following and his chances, none of this adequately justifies not covering Ron Paul. You have to get your head out of the horserace and consider the substance. And to my mind, the best reason to cover Ron Paul is that the issues he has continually raised on the stump, and throughout his career, have a growing salience with the GOP base."
No comments:
Post a Comment