A widely discussed pattern in primary coverage is called “discovery, scrutiny, decline.” When a candidate says something novel, they are “discovered” and receive a burst of coverage. Here are the recent presidential primaries that demonstrate changes in the discovery, scrutiny, decline pattern and the media’s process of focusing on some Republican candidates over others. 2012 – the ‘Bubble Primary’The GOP presidential primary in 2012 provides the clearest example of discovery, scrutiny, decline. 2016 – Trump dominatesThere were muted levels of discovery, scrutiny, decline with some candidates in the 2016 GOP primary. Eight Republican candidates participated in debates while Trump sat them out and focused his campaign efforts elsewhere.

Source: New York Times March 01, 2024 19:39 UTC