Honest mistake or Media Bias?
The Associated Press published an Election Summary Flash Chart. Ron Paul and Fred Thompson have been omitted (I didn't realize Fred was omitted when I wrote this), so I wrote them this letter:
Dear Sirs,
According to the second paragraph at http://www.ap.org/pages/about/about.html:
“AP's mission is to be the essential global news network, providing distinctive news services of the highest quality, reliability and objectivity with reports that are accurate, balanced and informed.”
So given that, I ask AP “Why is Ron Paul not listed in your Election Summary Flash Chart?”
I contend the factors below strongly indicate that Ron Paul is a candidate to be reckoned with, despite any mainstream bias toward marginalizing him.
· The Ron Paul campaign raised over $5 million in the 3rd quarter of 2007.
· CNN’s Jack Cafferty’s October 4th question of the day was: “Should more people be listening to what Ron Paul has to say?”
· According to Alexa, the internet traffic ratings company, Ron Paul's campaign website is the most popular 2008 Presidential Candidate website.
See it live here: http://tinyurl.com/32nf5h
As of Oct. 4th (#1 being the best ranking):
Ronpaul2008.com has a traffic rank of: 19,019
Barackobama.com has a traffic rank of: 22,126
Hillaryclinton.com has a traffic rank of: 34,068
Imwithfred.com has a traffic rank of: 115,686
Joinrudy2008.com has a traffic rank of: 126,455
· Ron Paul Meetup groups have:
45,090 Members
6,016 Interested
961 Groups
772 Cities
21 Countries
7,897 Events so far!
compared to
Barack Obama
4,208 Members in 63 Meetup Groups, 1,732 waiting for a Meetup Group
Dennis Kucinich
1,640 Members in 54 Meetup Groups, 2,525 waiting for a Meetup
Hillary Rodham Clinton
938 Members in 29 Meetup Groups, 1,190 waiting for a Meetup
John Edwards / One America
1,864 Members in 49 Meetup Groups, 2,263 waiting for a Meetup Group
John Kerry
8,275 Members in 38 Meetup Groups, 14,422 waiting for a Meetup
Mitt Romney for President 2008
4 Members in 2 Meetup Groups, 8 waiting for a Meetup
Ron Paul 2008
45,090 Members in 961 Meetup Groups, 6,016 waiting for a Meetup Group
Rudy Giuliani
3 Members in 1 Meetup Groups, 0 waiting for a Meetup Group
Tom Tancredo
5 Members in 3 Meetup Groups, 35 waiting for a Meetup Group
Source: http://www.meetup.com/topics/polact/cand/pres/
Note : For brevity’s sake, only the listings for candidates included in the Election Summary Flash Chart are shown above/
· Ron Paul 2008 has 67170 friends on MySpace
Source: http://www.myspace.com/ronpaul2008
The Associated Press Statement of News Values and Principles at http://www.ap.org/newsvalues/index.html states “…That means we abhor inaccuracies, carelessness, bias or distortions. It means we will not knowingly introduce false information into material intended for publication or broadcast…”
I challenge AP to live up to its stated principles by including Ron Paul in the Election Summary Flash Chart, as not doing so could be construed as an attempt to distort the election process.
I’d like to believe you are not deliberately ignoring Ron Paul, but be advised: ignoring him won't make him, or his numerous and passionate supporters, go away.
Strangers stop me to ask me about Ron Paul because of the bumper sticker on my car. “Non-political” friends who tell me that have not voted in years tell me they will not only vote for Ron Paul, but they will wholeheartedly and actively support him. Look around today, and you will probably notice most of the signs and bumpers stickers out there for the 2008 presidential race promote Ron Paul.
Perhaps AP judges that Dr Paul is not a serious contender, but I assert that is NOT for AP to decide.
At this same point in Ronald Reagan’s campaign he was also being dismissed. (Quote facts and figures and a source on this).
And, further, I maintain that continuing to leave him off your list would create ill will and affect your credibility, whereas correcting this oversight (or mistake) will uphold and reinforce what you state you stand for.
In addition to sending this to you, I am posting this to my blog: http://freedomjoyadventure.blogspot.com/
I shall look forward to a prompt response in line with your mission.
Me.
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