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'''RealClearPolitics''' is a [[Conservativism in the United States|conservative-leaning]]<ref name="rcp99">{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/2003-12-30-blogging-usat_x.htm |title=Freewheeling 'bloggers' are rewriting rules of journalism |accessdate=2009-07-15 |publisher=USA Today |author=Kathy Kiely |year=2003 |month=December |quote=Tom Bevan, 34, started this conservative-leaning Web site with a college friend in 2000 and added a blog in 2002.}}</ref><ref name="rcp100">{{cite web |url=http://www.time.com/time/election2004/article/0,18471,724310,00.html |title=Cheat Sheet: Election Websites |accessdate=2009-07-15 |publisher=TIME |author=Patrick Stack |year=2004 |month=October |quote=RealClearPolitics.com scores points for its in-depth, right-leaning commentary section}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2006/2006-11-08-polls-accuracy_x.htm |title=Election forecasts were mostly on the mark - USATODAY.com |publisher=www.usatoday.com |accessdate=2009-11-04 |quote=John McIntyre, pollster for the Republican-leaning website RealClearPolitics.com }}</ref> [[Chicago]]-based [[political]] news [[aggregator]], polling data aggregator, and [[blog]]. The site aggregates [[Column (newspaper)|column]]s and news stories as well as election related transcripts<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/transcripts_speeches/ | title=Transcripts & Speeches | publisher=RealClearPolitics|date= April 21, 2008|accessdate =2008-04-21}}</ref> and videos.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video_log/ | title=RealClearPolitics Video Log | publisher=RealClearPolitics|date= April 21, 2008 | first= | last= | accessdate =2008-04-21}}</ref> The site also carries the most recent poll data,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/latestpolls/index.html | title=Latest Polling Data | publisher=RealClearPolitics|date= April 21, 2008 | first= | last= | accessdate =2008-04-21}}</ref> and compiles averages of major political [[Opinion poll|poll]]s on various [[election]]s throughout the United States to give a national view of the race.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/polls/ | title=Polling Averages| publisher=RealClearPolitics|date= April 21, 2008 | first= | last= | accessdate =2008-04-21}}</ref>
'''RealClearPolitics''' is a politically neutral<ref name="rcp99">{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/2003-12-30-blogging-usat_x.htm |title=Freewheeling 'bloggers' are rewriting rules of journalism |accessdate=2009-07-15 |publisher=USA Today |author=Kathy Kiely |year=2003 |month=December |quote=Tom Bevan, 34, started this conservative-leaning Web site with a college friend in 2000 and added a blog in 2002.}}</ref><ref name="rcp100">{{cite web |url=http://www.time.com/time/election2004/article/0,18471,724310,00.html |title=Cheat Sheet: Election Websites |accessdate=2009-07-15 |publisher=TIME |author=Patrick Stack |year=2004 |month=October |quote=RealClearPolitics.com scores points for its in-depth, right-leaning commentary section}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2006/2006-11-08-polls-accuracy_x.htm |title=Election forecasts were mostly on the mark - USATODAY.com |publisher=www.usatoday.com |accessdate=2009-11-04 |quote=John McIntyre, pollster for the Republican-leaning website RealClearPolitics.com }}</ref> [[Chicago]]-based [[political]] news [[aggregator]], polling data aggregator, and [[blog]]. The site aggregates [[Column (newspaper)|column]]s and news stories as well as election related transcripts<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/transcripts_speeches/ | title=Transcripts & Speeches | publisher=RealClearPolitics|date= April 21, 2008|accessdate =2008-04-21}}</ref> and videos.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video_log/ | title=RealClearPolitics Video Log | publisher=RealClearPolitics|date= April 21, 2008 | first= | last= | accessdate =2008-04-21}}</ref> The site also carries the most recent poll data,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/latestpolls/index.html | title=Latest Polling Data | publisher=RealClearPolitics|date= April 21, 2008 | first= | last= | accessdate =2008-04-21}}</ref> and compiles averages of major political [[Opinion poll|poll]]s on various [[election]]s throughout the United States to give a national view of the race.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/polls/ | title=Polling Averages| publisher=RealClearPolitics|date= April 21, 2008 | first= | last= | accessdate =2008-04-21}}</ref>


The site was founded in 2000 by former [[option (finance)|options]] [[trader (finance)|trader]] John McIntyre and former [[advertising agency]] [[account executive]] Tom Bevan.<!--
The site was founded in 2000 by former [[option (finance)|options]] [[trader (finance)|trader]] John McIntyre and former [[advertising agency]] [[account executive]] Tom Bevan.<!--

Revision as of 23:39, 4 November 2009

RealClearPolitics
File:Logo-sub.png
OwnerJohn McIntyre
Tom Bevan
URLhttp://www.realclearpolitics.com/

RealClearPolitics is a politically neutral[1][2][3] Chicago-based political news aggregator, polling data aggregator, and blog. The site aggregates columns and news stories as well as election related transcripts[4] and videos.[5] The site also carries the most recent poll data,[6] and compiles averages of major political polls on various elections throughout the United States to give a national view of the race.[7]

The site was founded in 2000 by former options trader John McIntyre and former advertising agency account executive Tom Bevan.[8][9][10]

Founding and philosophy

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.[9] McIntyre explained "[i]t really wasn't any more complicated than there should be a place online that pulled together all this quality information."[11] They call what they do "intelligent aggregation."[12]

The site has grown in election-season spurts since it first went online eight years ago. It has expanded from a two-man operation on a shoestring budget to a full-time staff of more than two-dozen employees overseeing the company's mainstay, RealClearPolitics, as well as three smaller sites: RealClearMarket, World, and Sports.

Updated continuously, the RealClear sites, which are based in Chicago, 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 more 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."[13]

New York Times conservative[14] columnist David Brooks said, "Some people wake up every morning with a raw egg and exercise. I wake up every morning with RealClearPolitics.com. It's the perfect one-stop shopping for the smartest commentary on politics and life." Howard Fineman, Newsweek chief political correspondent, states that, "RealClearPolitics.com is a site that makes a credible effort to do the impossible: to provide a comprehensive, real-time (and not just Beltway- based) overview of the entire American political conversation."[15]

In an interview with the conservative magazine Human Events, McIntyre described the philosophy behind the Web site 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."[8]

Majority ownership purchased by Forbes

According to Business Week: Forbes Media, corporate parent of Forbes.com, announced on November 7, 2007 that it had acquired a 51% stake in RealClearPolitics.com. The founders will remain owners and management.[16] In November, 2008, Forbes President and CEO Steve Forbes sent a memo directing that the company's online brands, including Forbes.com, Investopedia and RealClearPolitics.com be combined.[17]

Original content

In addition to linking to content around the Internet, Real Clear Politics also provides its own commentary.

Bevan and Kyle Trygstad write "The RCP Blog," which is hosted by TIME. Trygstad and Mike Memoli write the "PoliticsNation" blog.[18] Doctoral student Jay Cost writes the "HorseRaceBlog."[19] Veteran journalist Samuel Chi writes the "Media Watch" blog.[20]

The site's political commentary, election analysis and polling averages have been featured in many national media outlets, including The New York Times,[21] Fox News Channel,[21] The Economist,[22] Investor's Business Daily,[23] and The Chicago Sun-Times.[24] RealClearPolitics polling averages are used regularly on MSNBC's "Hardball," Fox News, and the Web sites of CBS News and the Washington Post.[25]

Political poll averaging

Statisticians explain that it is sometimes misleading to average results from multiple polls.[25] Richard Gott III, a professor at Princeton, and Wes Colley, a researcher at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, published findings in the journal Mathematical and Computer Modeling.[26] New York Times contributor Neil Tyson, wrote in an Op-Ed piece that “in swing states, the median result of all the polls conducted in the weeks prior to an election is an especially effective predictor of which candidate will win that election — even in states where the polls consistently fall within the margin of error.”[27]

Other sites

RealClearPolitics also owns RealClearMarkets, RealClearWorld and RealClearSports.[28]

RealClearMarkets and RealClearSports were launched in November 2007. RealClearWorld, the international news and politics site, was launched in August 2008.

References

  1. ^ Kathy Kiely (2003). "Freewheeling 'bloggers' are rewriting rules of journalism". USA Today. Retrieved 2009-07-15. Tom Bevan, 34, started this conservative-leaning Web site with a college friend in 2000 and added a blog in 2002. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. ^ Patrick Stack (2004). "Cheat Sheet: Election Websites". TIME. Retrieved 2009-07-15. RealClearPolitics.com scores points for its in-depth, right-leaning commentary section {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. ^ "Election forecasts were mostly on the mark - USATODAY.com". www.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2009-11-04. John McIntyre, pollster for the Republican-leaning website RealClearPolitics.com
  4. ^ "Transcripts & Speeches". RealClearPolitics. April 21, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-21.
  5. ^ "RealClearPolitics Video Log". RealClearPolitics. April 21, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-21.
  6. ^ "Latest Polling Data". RealClearPolitics. April 21, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-21.
  7. ^ "Polling Averages". RealClearPolitics. April 21, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-21.
  8. ^ a b D'Agostino, Joseph A (March 31, 2003). "Conservative Spotlight: Real Clear Politics". Human Events. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
  9. ^ a b Zorn, Eric (2004). "Political site polls well with election junkies". Chicago Tribune: Metro, p. 1. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  10. ^ Wolinsky, Howard (2006). "Politicking pays off: Web site a must-read for political fanatics" ([dead link]). Chicago Sun-Times: 55. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  11. ^ "Political Junkies Spawn a Real, Clear Success". U.S. News & World Report. December 12, 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  12. ^ "Real Clear Politics Real Clear on its Growth, Mission". The Chicago Tribune. February 7, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  13. ^ "On Web, Political Junkies Make a Real Clear Choice". The New York Sun. March 10, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  14. ^ "RealClearPolitics - Obama Must Lead the Democratic Charge". www.realclearpolitics.com. Retrieved 2009-09-16.
  15. ^ "RealClearPolitics.com Launches New Web Site, Announces Financing". PR Newswire. March 14, 2006. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  16. ^ "Forbes Media Acquires Fifty-One Percent Stake in RealClearPolitics.com". Business Wire. November 7, 2007. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  17. ^ "Forbes to combine print and online staffs, cuts jobs :: BtoB Magazine". www.btobonline.com. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
  18. ^ "Politics Nation". RealClearPolitics. September 17, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
  19. ^ "HorseRaceBlog". RealClearPolitics. May 30, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
  20. ^ "Media Watch". RealClearPolitics. December 21, 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
  21. ^ a b Cart, Bill (November 7, 2006). "The 2006 Campaign: Election Night Viewing Includes Web's Bells and Whistles". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-07-17. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "On leaving Los Angeles". The Economist. November 3, 2006. Retrieved 2007-07-17.
  23. ^ Barnako, Frank (December 15, 2004). "Best blogs of 2004". Investor's Business Daily (archived version). Retrieved 2007-07-17.
  24. ^ Bevan, Tom (May 18, 2007). "Don't count out McCain just yet". The Chicago Sun-Times (archived version). Retrieved 2009-06-10.
  25. ^ a b "Election Handicappers Are Using Risky Tool: Mixed Poll Averages". The Wall Street Journal. February 15, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  26. ^ "Median statistics in polling". Mathematical Modeling of Voting Systems and Elections: Theory and Applications :Mathematical and Computer Modelling. 48 (9–10): 1396–1408. November 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2009. In 2004, we used a very simple, but surprisingly effective, method to successfully predict the outcome of the U.S. Presidential election. Using the median poll in the last month for each state, we correctly predicted the results in all states but one (Hawaii). Just as we had originally hoped, the method made it possible to predict successfully the results in the large close states (Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida) where there were a great many polls taken. States with only a few polls were generally not close, and so the median poll also predicted these states successfully. The method appears particularly well adapted to U.S. Presidential elections where the candidates are chosen well in advance, and where outcomes in individual states determine the winner. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ "Vote by Numbers". The New York Times. June 6, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
  28. ^ "On Web, Political Junkies Make a Real Clear Choice". New York Sun. March 10, 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
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