The steadily rising number of presidential candidates is forcing newsrooms everywhere to make choices on how to cover the race.
For many news outlets, the 2016 candidates are being sorted into three piles: Those with a legitimate chance to win their party’s nomination; those who make news, and not always in the best way; and those who can mostly be ignored.
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., for example, have garnered favorable headlines and flattering reviews this week from reporters who have so far appeared impressed with the two polished lawmakers. Perry especially got nods of approval for his successful campaign rollout Thursday.
On the left side of the aisle, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has impressed reporters with both his handling of media as well as his ability to fill venues with his supporters.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, on the other hand, have attracted the sort of attention that candidates normally try to avoid.
The Texas senator created a mini media dustup Wednesday evening after he cracked about Vice President Joe Biden. The joke was declared poorly timed and insensitive given that Biden was just hours away from mourning his son, Beau, who died of brain cancer this weekend.
Huckabee, meanwhile, had to answer for previous jokes he has made regarding transgender people and his desire in high school to shower with the girls’ team. These comments did not go over especially well considering that former Olympian Bruce Jenner formally announced this week that she is now Caitlyn Jenner.
Then there are candidates like retired neurosurgeon and Republican candidate Ben Carson and former Democratic Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, who are viewed by media as little more than amusing sideshows to a much bigger event. It is true that some reporters have been impressed with Republican candidate Carly Fiorina’s sharp style and quick wit, but coverage of her long-shot campaign has been minimal.
For media, most of these campaigns are basically fun distractions — excuses to file yet another story.
The press’ chief interest this election cycle is in former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, whose candidacy was deemed “inevitable” long ago.
However, the former first lady’s strategy of avoiding the press and refusing to answer the many questions surrounding her time at the State Department has won her no favors, and has actually resulted in a barrage of negative press. Nevertheless, she’s the Democratic Party’s “presumed” candidate, according to both pundits and reporters, and she therefore has enjoys the lion’s share of election coverage.
On the right side of the aisle, the GOP’s leading candidates also get a fair shake at media coverage. Most of this coverage, however, is run through the lens of what it all will mean for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the party’s likely nominee, according to a wide array of reporters and commentators.
Bush hasn’t even announced his candidacy yet, but political pundits are certain that he will and that he will eventually get the party’s nod.
But until that happens, reporters have little choice but to focus on the current and growing list of Republican and Democratic candidates fighting for the privilege to occupy the Oval Office.
With the entrance of Perry and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the GOP field has grown to 10 declared candidates, including Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Rubio and Cruz, non-politicians Carson and Fiorina, former Govs. Huckabee and George Pataki of New York and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.
At least four more Republican candidates, Govs. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, Chris Christie of New Jersey, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, and Bush are expected to jump into the race.
For Democrats, Chafee joined Clinton and Sanders this week. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb are also expected to run.
