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'''RealClearPolitics''' ('''RCP''') is a [[Political journalism|political news]] site and [[Polling aggregator|polling data aggregator]] formed in 2000 by former [[option (finance)|options]] [[trader (finance)|trader]] [[John McIntyre (publisher)|John McIntyre]] and former [[advertising agency]] [[account executive]] Tom Bevan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/polls/|title=Polling Averages| publisher=RealClearPolitics|date= April 21, 2008| accessdate=2008-04-21}}</ref><ref name="D'Agostino">{{cite journal | title=Conservative Spotlight: Real Clear Politics | date=31 March 2003 | author=D'Agostino, Joseph A. | journal=[[Human Events]] | volume=59 | issue=11 | page=16}}</ref><ref name="Zorn 2004">{{cite journal|author=Zorn, Eric|authorlink=Eric Zorn|date=October 26, 2004|title=Political site polls well with election junkies|url=http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2006/04/good_riddance_t.html|journal=[[Chicago Tribune]]|page=Metro, 1}}{{Dead link|date=November 2018}}<!-- Not dead, but link goes to an not-secure webpage warning --></ref><ref name="Wolinsky 2006">{{cite journal|author=Wolinsky, Howard|date=September 18, 2006|title=Politicking pays off: Web site a must-read for political fanatics|journal=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|page=55}}</ref> The site features selected political news stories and op-eds from various news publications in addition to commentary from its own contributors.<ref name=princeton /><ref name="D'Agostino" />In 2008, the founders said their goal was to give readers "ideological diversity" in its commentary section.<ref name="The New York Sun">{{cite news|url=http://www.nysun.com/business/on-web-political-junkies-make-a-real-clear-choice/72596/|title=On Web, Political Junkies Make a Real Clear Choice|work=[[The New York Sun]]|date= March 10, 2008|accessdate=2008-08-08}}</ref>
'''RealClearPolitics''' ('''RCP''') is a [[Political journalism|political news]] site and [[Polling aggregator|polling data aggregator]] formed in 2000 by former [[option (finance)|options]] [[trader (finance)|trader]] [[John McIntyre (publisher)|John McIntyre]] and former [[advertising agency]] [[account executive]] Tom Bevan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/polls/|title=Polling Averages| publisher=RealClearPolitics|date= April 21, 2008| accessdate=2008-04-21}}</ref><ref name="D'Agostino">{{cite journal | title=Conservative Spotlight: Real Clear Politics | date=31 March 2003 | author=D'Agostino, Joseph A. | journal=[[Human Events]] | volume=59 | issue=11 | page=16}}</ref><ref name="Zorn 2004">{{cite journal|author=Zorn, Eric|authorlink=Eric Zorn|date=October 26, 2004|title=Political site polls well with election junkies|url=http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2006/04/good_riddance_t.html|journal=[[Chicago Tribune]]|page=Metro, 1}}{{Dead link|date=November 2018}}<!-- Not dead, but link goes to an not-secure webpage warning --></ref><ref name="Wolinsky 2006">{{cite journal|author=Wolinsky, Howard|date=September 18, 2006|title=Politicking pays off: Web site a must-read for political fanatics|journal=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|page=55}}</ref> The site features selected political news stories and op-eds from various news publications in addition to commentary from its own contributors<ref name=princeton /><ref name="D'Agostino" />In 2008, the founders said their goal was to give readers "ideological diversity" in its commentary section.<ref name="The New York Sun">{{cite news|url=http://www.nysun.com/business/on-web-political-junkies-make-a-real-clear-choice/72596/|title=On Web, Political Junkies Make a Real Clear Choice|work=[[The New York Sun]]|date= March 10, 2008|accessdate=2008-08-08}}</ref>


The site publishes aggregation of polling data during election seasons.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://articles.latimes.com/2008/oct/19/nation/na-indiana19|title=Candidates come courting the Hoosiers|last=Jones|first=Tim|date=2008-10-19|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|access-date=2017-01-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archive/news/obamas-surge-swamps-hillary/news-story/0e738c0058389832c1184603610ab84a|title=Obama's surge swamps Hillary|date=2008-02-10|access-date=2017-01-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/us-election/obama-cuts-into-clintons-pennsylvania-majority/2008/04/09/1207420422477.html|title=Obama cuts into Clinton's majority – US Election – smh.com.au|website=www.smh.com.au|language=en|access-date=2017-01-22}}</ref>
The site publishes aggregation of polling data during election seasons.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://articles.latimes.com/2008/oct/19/nation/na-indiana19|title=Candidates come courting the Hoosiers|last=Jones|first=Tim|date=2008-10-19|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|access-date=2017-01-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archive/news/obamas-surge-swamps-hillary/news-story/0e738c0058389832c1184603610ab84a|title=Obama's surge swamps Hillary|date=2008-02-10|access-date=2017-01-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/us-election/obama-cuts-into-clintons-pennsylvania-majority/2008/04/09/1207420422477.html|title=Obama cuts into Clinton's majority – US Election – smh.com.au|website=www.smh.com.au|language=en|access-date=2017-01-22}}</ref>

The site's parent company, RealClear Media, also ran a far-right-wing site called Conservative Country, which still runs a Facebook page filled with far-right memes and Islamophobic smears. Conservative Country's political news website is now defunct, although the Facebook page is still active.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Puolsen |first1=Kevin |title=RealClear Media Has a Secret Facebook Page to Push Far-Right Memes |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/realclear-media-has-a-secret-facebook-page-filled-with-far-right-memes |accessdate=20 March 2020 |date=7 October 2019}}</ref>


== Origin and philosophy ==
== Origin and philosophy ==
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The web site was founded in 2000 by McIntyre, a former [[trader (finance)|trader]] at the [[Chicago Board Options Exchange]], and Bevan, a former [[advertising agency]] [[account executive]].<ref name="Zorn 2004" /> McIntyre explained "it really wasn't any more complicated than there should be a place online that pulled together all this quality information".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/articles/business/small-business-entrepreneurs/2007/12/12/politics-junkies-spawn-a-real-clear-success.html|title=Political Junkies Spawn a Real, Clear Success|publisher=[[U.S. News & World Report]]|date=December 12, 2007|first=Liz|last=Wolgemuth|accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref> They call what they do "intelligent aggregation."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/technology_internetcritic/2008/02/real-clear-poli.html|title=Real Clear Politics Real Clear on its Growth, Mission|publisher=The Chicago Tribune|date=February 7, 2008|first=|last=|accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref> The site has grown in election-season spurts since it first went online. It has expanded from a two-man operation to a full-time staff of more than two-dozen employees overseeing the company's mainstay, RealClearPolitics, as well as ten smaller sites.
The web site was founded in 2000 by McIntyre, a former [[trader (finance)|trader]] at the [[Chicago Board Options Exchange]], and Bevan, a former [[advertising agency]] [[account executive]].<ref name="Zorn 2004" /> McIntyre explained "it really wasn't any more complicated than there should be a place online that pulled together all this quality information".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/articles/business/small-business-entrepreneurs/2007/12/12/politics-junkies-spawn-a-real-clear-success.html|title=Political Junkies Spawn a Real, Clear Success|publisher=[[U.S. News & World Report]]|date=December 12, 2007|first=Liz|last=Wolgemuth|accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref> They call what they do "intelligent aggregation."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/technology_internetcritic/2008/02/real-clear-poli.html|title=Real Clear Politics Real Clear on its Growth, Mission|publisher=The Chicago Tribune|date=February 7, 2008|first=|last=|accessdate=2008-04-07}}</ref> The site has grown in election-season spurts since it first went online. It has expanded from a two-man operation to a full-time staff of more than two-dozen employees overseeing the company's mainstay, RealClearPolitics, as well as ten smaller sites.


=== Philosophy === <br>As of at least 2019, RealClearPolitics has consistently been described, and described itself conservative or right-wing. It has been variously called far-right, right-wing, conservative and right-leaning.
=== Philosophy ===

In a 2001 article for ''[[Princeton Alumni Weekly]]'', which noted that "The articles selected invariably demonstrate McIntyre and Bevan's political bent, about which they are unabashedly forthcoming." McIntyre said, "I'm not really a die-hard Republican because my interests are less on social issues, more on taxing and spending... But I definitely don't want the government telling me what to do with my property... Nevertheless, any political junkie—even a liberal—would enjoy our site because the topics we choose are current."<ref name="princeton">Rob MacKay, [https://www.princeton.edu/paw/web_exclusives/more/more_20.html "Political junkies create Web site for opinion and analysis"], June 6, 2001 ''Princeton Alumni Weekly''. Princeton</ref>
In a 2001 article for ''[[Princeton Alumni Weekly]]'', which noted that "The articles selected invariably demonstrate McIntyre and Bevan's political bent, about which they are unabashedly forthcoming." McIntyre said, "I'm not really a die-hard Republican because my interests are less on social issues, more on taxing and spending... But I definitely don't want the government telling me what to do with my property... Nevertheless, any political junkie—even a liberal—would enjoy our site because the topics we choose are current."<ref name="princeton">Rob MacKay, [https://www.princeton.edu/paw/web_exclusives/more/more_20.html "Political junkies create Web site for opinion and analysis"], June 6, 2001 ''Princeton Alumni Weekly''. Princeton</ref>


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An October 2019 article in ''[[The Daily Beast]]'' reported that Real Clear Media manages a [[Facebook]] page of "far-right memes and Islamophobic smears." Anand Ramanujan, Chief Technology Officer for Real Clear Media, responded that the company created the website that was affiliated with the Facebook page "as part of an effort to understand the flow of traffic from social media—particularly Facebook—to political websites."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/realclear-media-has-a-secret-facebook-page-filled-with-far-right-memes|title=RealClear Media Has a Secret Facebook Page to Push Far-Right Memes|last1=Poulse|first1=Kevin|last2=Maxwell|first2=Tani|date=October 8, 2019|access-date=October 8, 2019}}</ref>
An October 2019 article in ''[[The Daily Beast]]'' reported that Real Clear Media manages a [[Facebook]] page of "far-right memes and Islamophobic smears." Anand Ramanujan, Chief Technology Officer for Real Clear Media, responded that the company created the website that was affiliated with the Facebook page "as part of an effort to understand the flow of traffic from social media—particularly Facebook—to political websites."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/realclear-media-has-a-secret-facebook-page-filled-with-far-right-memes|title=RealClear Media Has a Secret Facebook Page to Push Far-Right Memes|last1=Poulse|first1=Kevin|last2=Maxwell|first2=Tani|date=October 8, 2019|access-date=October 8, 2019}}</ref>


== Format ==
As of April 2020 "AllSides" lists RealClearPolitics as being "Center" in their respected media bias rating scale. <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.allsides.com/news-source/real-clear-politics|title=AllSides Media Bias Rating|date=April 14, 2020|access-date=April 14, 2020}}</ref>
Updated continuously, RealClearPolitics' websites aggregate content from a wide range of sources, sources that run the gamut of locations and political persuasions. Stories from the ''[[Washington Post]]'' and other large-circulation media frequently run alongside articles from such lesser-known papers as the ''[[Ottawa Citizen]]'', while analyses from the [[Modern liberalism in the United States|liberal]] ''[[The New Republic|New Republic]]'' may be paired with conservative publications such as the ''[[Weekly Standard]]''. McIntyre's purported objective is "to give readers ideological diversity. We're trying to stay immersed in the nation's political bloodstream at all times. That way, we can show you every small, little twist and turn, and give multiple sides to every story".<ref name="The New York Sun" />


== Ownership ==
== Ownership ==

Revision as of 09:30, 15 April 2020

RealClearPolitics
RCP logo
Type of site
News aggregation, political commentary
Available inEnglish
OwnerRealClearInvestors and Crest Media
Created byJohn McIntyre, Tom Bevan
URLrealclearpolitics.com
CommercialYes
RegistrationOptional
LaunchedFebruary 3, 2000; 24 years ago (2000-02-03)[1]
Current statusOnline

RealClearPolitics (RCP) is a conservative political news site and polling data aggregator formed in 2000 by former options trader John McIntyre and former advertising agency account executive Tom Bevan.[3][4][5][6] The site features selected political news stories and op-eds from various news publications in addition to commentary from its own contributors[7][4] In 2008, the founders said their goal was to give readers "ideological diversity" in its commentary section.[8] By 2020, they were publishing work by Trump campaign staff.[9]

The site publishes aggregation of polling data during election seasons, which is sometimes cited by media organizations that cover political issues.[10][11][12]

The site's parent company, RealClear Media, also ran a far-right-wing site called Conservative Country, which still runs a Facebook page filled with far-right memes and Islamophobic smears. Conservative Country's political news website is now defunct, although the Facebook page is still active.[13]

Origin and philosophy

Origin

The web site was founded in 2000 by McIntyre, a former trader at the Chicago Board Options Exchange, and Bevan, a former advertising agency account executive.[5] McIntyre explained "it really wasn't any more complicated than there should be a place online that pulled together all this quality information".[14] They call what they do "intelligent aggregation."[15] The site has grown in election-season spurts since it first went online. It has expanded from a two-man operation to a full-time staff of more than two-dozen employees overseeing the company's mainstay, RealClearPolitics, as well as ten smaller sites.

=== Philosophy ===
As of at least 2019, RealClearPolitics has consistently been described, and described itself conservative or right-wing. It has been variously called far-right, right-wing, conservative and right-leaning.

In a 2001 article for Princeton Alumni Weekly, which noted that "The articles selected invariably demonstrate McIntyre and Bevan's political bent, about which they are unabashedly forthcoming." McIntyre said, "I'm not really a die-hard Republican because my interests are less on social issues, more on taxing and spending... But I definitely don't want the government telling me what to do with my property... Nevertheless, any political junkie—even a liberal—would enjoy our site because the topics we choose are current."[7]

In a 2003 interview with the conservative magazine Human Events, McIntyre described the philosophy behind the website as based on "freedom" and "common-sense values". Said Bevan, "We think debate on the issues is a very important thing. We post a variety of opinions". He further stated, "we have a frustration all conservatives have", which is "the bias in media against conservatives, religious conservatives, [and] Christian conservatives".[4]

In a 2004 article for Time, Patrick Stack described the website's commentary section as "right-leaning".[16]

In a 2008 interview with the Chicago Tribune, McIntyre said, "We're trying to pull together the best political stories, op-eds, news analyses, editorials out there. The proliferation of content is enormous. Part of what we're trying to do is distill it in a clear, simple way for people who don't have hours to spend searching the Net".[17] In 2009, RealClearPolitics was described as a weblog "in the conservative pantheon" by Richard Davis.[18][19]

The 2012–2013 edition of academic text Cengage Advantage Books: American Government and Politics Today, Brief Edition describes the site as being run by conservatives, and containing "opinion pieces from multiple media sources".[20] Also in 2012, he told the Chicago Sun-Times that RealClearPolitics strives to feature "serious intellectual pieces" and that they're "not looking for the over-the-top, vitriolic, red-meat craziness on either side".[21]

An October 2019 article in The Daily Beast reported that Real Clear Media manages a Facebook page of "far-right memes and Islamophobic smears." Anand Ramanujan, Chief Technology Officer for Real Clear Media, responded that the company created the website that was affiliated with the Facebook page "as part of an effort to understand the flow of traffic from social media—particularly Facebook—to political websites."[22]

Format

Updated continuously, RealClearPolitics' websites aggregate content from a wide range of sources, sources that run the gamut of locations and political persuasions. Stories from the Washington Post and other large-circulation media frequently run alongside articles from such lesser-known papers as the Ottawa Citizen, while analyses from the liberal New Republic may be paired with conservative publications such as the Weekly Standard. McIntyre's purported objective is "to give readers ideological diversity. We're trying to stay immersed in the nation's political bloodstream at all times. That way, we can show you every small, little twist and turn, and give multiple sides to every story".[8]

Ownership

Forbes Media LLC bought a 51% equity interest in the site in 2007.[23] On May 19, 2015, it was announced that RealClearInvestors and Crest Media bought out Forbes's stake for an undisclosed amount.[24][24]

RealClearPolitics also owns RealClearMarkets, RealClearWorld, and RealClearSports.[25] RealClearMarkets and RealClearSports were launched in November 2007. RealClearWorld, the international news and politics site, was launched in August 2008. RealClearScience and RealClearReligion launched in October 2010.[26] RealClearHistory launched in 2012; in 2013 RealClearDefense was launched to cover military, intelligence, and veterans issues.[27] In 2016, RealClearInvestigations was launched, with a focus on investigative journalism.[28]

Original content

In addition to linking to external content, RealClearPolitics also provides original commentary and reporting, with a staff that includes Carl Cannon, Scott Conroy, Erin McPike, Caitlin Huey-Burns, Alexis Simendinger, James Arkin, and Sean Trende.

Political poll averaging

RealClearPolitics aggregates polls for presidential and congressional races into averages, known as the RealClearPolitics average, which are widely cited by media outlets. However, some statisticians say that it is sometimes misleading to average results from multiple polls.[29] When Nate Silver of rival site FiveThirtyEight claimed RealClearPolitics.com was rigging its averages to favor Senator John McCain and other Republicans, McIntyre denied having a conservative bent, stating, "We're running a business. We have no interest in screwing around with that for partisan purposes".[30] Silver later backed away from the claim and said the two sites had a friendly rivalry and grudging respect for each other.[30]

In 2016, Republicans performed 1.7% better than the final RealClearPolitics average,[31] and Republicans performed 3.3% better than the site's average in 2014.[32] In the 2016 presidential election, the final RealClearPolitics average margin overestimated Democrat Hillary Clinton's popular vote performance by 1.3%. The final electoral college prediction map produced by RealClearPolitics predicted that she would narrowly win the election with 272 electoral votes. However, she lost the election to Republican Donald Trump in spite of winning the popular vote.[33] However, the site underestimated the Democratic vote in the 2018 congressional elections by just over one percentage point.[34]

References

  1. ^ "RealClearPolitics.com WHOIS, DNS, & Domain Info – DomainTools". WHOIS. Retrieved 2016-10-21.
  2. ^ "Realclearpolitics.com Traffic, Demographics and Competitors - Alexa". Alexa Internet. Retrieved 2019-03-19.
  3. ^ "Polling Averages". RealClearPolitics. April 21, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-21.
  4. ^ a b c D'Agostino, Joseph A. (31 March 2003). "Conservative Spotlight: Real Clear Politics". Human Events. 59 (11): 16.
  5. ^ a b Zorn, Eric (October 26, 2004). "Political site polls well with election junkies". Chicago Tribune: Metro, 1.[dead link]
  6. ^ Wolinsky, Howard (September 18, 2006). "Politicking pays off: Web site a must-read for political fanatics". Chicago Sun-Times: 55.
  7. ^ a b Rob MacKay, "Political junkies create Web site for opinion and analysis", June 6, 2001 Princeton Alumni Weekly. Princeton
  8. ^ a b "On Web, Political Junkies Make a Real Clear Choice". The New York Sun. March 10, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  9. ^ Lotter, Marc director of strategic communications for Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. "Dear Democrats: Hunter Biden Is No Ivanka Trump | RealClearPolitics". www.realclearpolitics.com. Retrieved 1 March 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Jones, Tim (2008-10-19). "Candidates come courting the Hoosiers". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
  11. ^ "Obama's surge swamps Hillary". 2008-02-10. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
  12. ^ "Obama cuts into Clinton's majority – US Election – smh.com.au". www.smh.com.au. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
  13. ^ Puolsen, Kevin (7 October 2019). "RealClear Media Has a Secret Facebook Page to Push Far-Right Memes". Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  14. ^ Wolgemuth, Liz (December 12, 2007). "Political Junkies Spawn a Real, Clear Success". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  15. ^ "Real Clear Politics Real Clear on its Growth, Mission". The Chicago Tribune. February 7, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  16. ^ Stack, Patrick (October 14, 2004). "Cheat Sheet: Election Websites". Time. Archived from the original on October 16, 2004. Retrieved 2009-07-15. RealClearPolitics.com scores points for its in-depth, right-leaning commentary section
  17. ^ Johnson, Steve (February 7, 2008). "Real Clear Politics real clear on its growth, mission". Chicago Tribune.
  18. ^ Richard Davis, Typing Politics: The Role of Blogs in American Politics p. 54 (2009) Oxford University Press Google.
  19. ^ Richard Davis, Politics Online: Blogs, Chatrooms, and Discussion Groups in American Democracy p. 43 (2013) Routledge Google.
  20. ^ Steffen Schmidt, Mack Shelley, Barbara Bardes, Cengage Advantage Books: American Government and Politics Today p. 140 Google. Cengage Learning, 2012
  21. ^ Pallasch, Abdon (May 29, 2012). "Popular, Chicago-based political news website run by two family guys". Chicago Sun-Times.
  22. ^ Poulse, Kevin; Maxwell, Tani (October 8, 2019). "RealClear Media Has a Secret Facebook Page to Push Far-Right Memes". Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  23. ^ "Forbes Media Acquires Fifty-One Percent Stake in RealClearPolitics.com". www.businesswire.com. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
  24. ^ a b "Crest Media And Real Clear Investors Buy Remaining Stake In RealClearPolitics". PRNewswire.com. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
  25. ^ Gustafson, Colin (March 10, 2008). "On Web, Political Junkies Make a Real Clear Choice". New York Sun. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  26. ^ New RealClear Sites Launching Today – Real Clear Politics – TIME.com
  27. ^ "RealClearDefense - Opinion, News, Analysis, Video and Polls". realcleardefense.com.
  28. ^ "A New Destination for Investigative Journalism". RealClearInvestigations. Retrieved 2019-11-12.
  29. ^ Bialik, Carl (February 15, 2008). "Election Handicappers Are Using Risky Tool: Mixed Poll Averages". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  30. ^ a b Becker, Bernie (2008-10-28). "Political Polling Sites Are in a Race of Their Own". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-11-07.
  31. ^ "RealClearPolitics - Election Other - 2016 Generic Congressional Vote". www.realclearpolitics.com.
  32. ^ https://realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/generic_congressional_vote-2170.html
  33. ^ "RealClearPolitics - Election 2016 - General Election: Trump vs. Clinton vs. Johnson vs. Stein". www.realclearpolitics.com.
  34. ^ https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/2018_generic_congressional_vote-6185.html

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=RealClearPolitics&oldid=951069120"