Is CNN Covering Anti-Tax Rallies -- Or Promoting Them?
Written by Jamison Foser
Published
CNN's cozy relationship with the tea party just keeps getting cozier.
Today, the cable channel touts “tax day” as a “boon” for Republicans on its website:
The linked article, headlined "'Tax day' a boon for prez contenders' face time," is ostensibly about the “new political importance” of April 15, which, “for many conservatives … has become a day to protest taxes they deem too high and government, they feel, has run amok.” But the article is filled with so many qualifiers and hypotheticals, it reads more like an invitation to conservatives to protest, rather than an attempt to cover them doing so. Take a look at some highlights:
This year, with presidential contenders jockeying for attention, many contenders are likely poring over their schedules to assess where they'll get media exposure and face time with conservative voters.
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Potential presidential candidates are still firming up their plans. CNN contacted staffs for several presidential contenders to assess where they may be on April 15.
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While those presidential contenders [Tim Pawlenty, Rick Santorum, Herman Cain, Michelle Bachman and Ron Paul] have firm plans for the day, others appear to recognize the day's importance to conservatives. And yet,some of the potential candidates are undecided while at least two have as yet decided against attending any events.
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Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is not planning to attend any rallies. Instead, he'll be in New York taping for his show on Fox News. … Similarly, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels is not committed to any “Tax Day” events. … Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour's whereabouts on the all-important “Tax Day” are still being worked out. … Donald Trump often travels to Florida on weekends for other commitments andcould do the same on the “Tax Day” weekend.
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CNN also reached out to aides for other potential 2012 candidates: former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. CNN did not receive a response to questions regarding their plans for the day that's all-important for many conservatives.
That sure is a lot of prominent Republicans who have no plans to plans to do anything for a day CNN twice describes as “all-important” and a “boon” for Republicans. CNN, which has embedded reporters in the tea party movement, might want to think about whether they're reporting on GOP rallies -- or helping organize them.