Reader Question: Why Don't You Cover All '08 Candidates Equally?

Two readers wrote in recently to ask us the question that reporters and editors dread: Why doesn't every candidate for president get equal coverage?

Ronald Ramo in New York asked: "What are the chances a Dark Horse candidate like Ron Paul can win the Republican nomination? In my opinion, if the media paid some attention Ron Paul and other dark horses the Republican nomination would REALLY be up for grabs."

And Glen Linsley in Michigan asked, "Why doesn't the media discuss the other candidates? Mike Huckabee of Arkansas is an extremely charismatic leader who would do well in any primary and would out perform any Democratic candidate."

We went to media reporter Liz Halloran and Nation/World editor Gordon Witkin for answers. Here's their response:

"These are both very good questions, and, in answering, we can only speak for US News. We intend to cover these candidacies. But as a magazine -- and not a daily newspaper -- we don't feel obligated nor do we have the space to cover each and every development in the presidential race. We have tried to focus on the most likely and viable nominees while crafting unique magazine-style pieces that set us apart from the day-to-day developments.

Other news organizations have to make similar judgement calls on coverage. Usually that involves weighing the viability of a candidacy by examining how much money the candidate has raised, what kind of national profile he or she has developed, and whether the candidate's views could translate into sustainable support. It is far from a perfect science. Case in point: On the day we published a profile of Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, who at the time was one of the stronger-looking Democratic presidential candidates, he withdrew. Ouch!"

Here at the News Desk, we can't help but point out that U.S. News Whispers Editor Paul Bedard has written several interesting pieces on Mike Huckabee in the past month. Here's three:

• Huck Goes Hunting for Votes, Feb. 22, 2007
• Evangelical Vote: Down to Two, Feb. 11, 2007
• Huck's Path to Victory, Feb. 6, 2007