To the Washington Post Editorial Board:
The Washington Post has a credibility problem that has only been exacerbated under President Trump. As the media struggles to regain the trust of the vast majority of Americans, we offer a suggestion for the Post specifically.
As one of the most influential media institutions in the country, the Post’s opinion pages are looked to by many Americans for an accurate representation of the wide range of views regarding our nation’s politics. However, intellectual diversity has been severely lacking at the Post, a phenomenon best exemplified by the dishonest identification of opinion columnist Jennifer Rubin as a “conservative” or a member of the “Right”.
In truth, it is nearly impossible to discern any conservatism in Rubin’s contemporary writing. Since the election of President Donald Trump, she has sided against conservatives on a dizzying array of issues, including:
- Climate change (“Paris pullout threat isn’t about the environment or the economy” 5/31/17)
- Gun control (“We object to Republicans’ hypocrisy on guns, not ‘thoughts and prayers’” 11/7/17)
- Middle East foreign policy (“Trump’s Jerusalem decision is a foreign policy move without purpose” 12/11/17)
- Tax cuts (“Repetitively cutting taxes for the rich isn’t the answer” 5/31/18)
- Immigration (“Trump is losing the country on immigration” 6/29/18)
- Abortion (“Questions every politician will have to answer the day after Roe v. Wade is overturned” 6/29/18)
Most recently, Rubin came out strongly against the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, writing that “Kavanaugh simply isn’t the personality type to entrust with our most daunting constitutional issues,” all because he’s been too extensive in denying all the allegations against him (September 25).
Anyone following Rubin’s writing closely at this point would rightfully find the claim that she is “conservative” laughable. And yet, she is still regularly touted in the media as a conservative voice — and by your own paper as “reporting from a center-right perspective.”
This issue exemplifies why so many Americans — particularly conservatives — hold a high distrust of the media. How can an average reader take the Post’s opinion section seriously when, of its numerous regular columnists, none can be found which defend the policies of our nation’s elected president?
We, of course, respect the right of The Washington Post to employ whatever writers it pleases — even Jennifer Rubin. However, we ask for the sake of intellectual honesty that the Post cease to identify her as in any way “conservative.” Given the Post’s standing as an important platform for political opinion in our nation’s capital, we also respectfully request that you consider hiring a voice who can eloquently and effectively defend the positions held by our President, his party, and the millions of voters who elected him. We would be happy to provide recommendations.
Given the importance of a free and fair press to our nation and its citizenry, we hope we will soon be able to look to The Washington Post again as a leader in providing a thoughtful and diverse commentary on American politics.
Respectfully,
Francis P. Cannon President American Principles Project |
Terry Schilling Executive Director American Principles Project |
Marjorie Dannenfelser President Susan B. Anthony List |
The Honorable Jim DeMint Chairman Conservative Partnership Institute |
Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin (Ret.) Executive Vice President Family Research Council |
Matt Schlapp Chairman American Conservative Union |
L. Brent Bozell, III Founder and President Media Research Center |
Cleta Mitchell Partner Foley & Lardner LLP |
Alfred S. Regnery Chairman Conservative Action Project |
Michelle Malkin Investigative Journalist |
Ginni Thomas President Liberty Consulting |
Jenny Beth Martin Chairman Tea Party Patriots Citizen Fund |
The Honorable Gary L. Bauer President American Values |
The Honorable Ken Cuccinelli President Senate Conservatives Fund |
Tom McClusky President March for Life Action |
Adam Brandon President FreedomWorks |
Ron Robinson President Young America’s Foundation |
Ian Walters Communications Director American Conservative Union |
The Honorable Bob McEwen Former Member House of Representatives |
Wesley Denton Former Communications Director Senator Jim DeMint |
Ellen Barrosse Committeewoman Republican National Committee |
Carolyn McClarty Committeewoman Republican National Committee |
George K. Rasley Jr. Managing Editor ConservativeHQ.com |
Diana West Journalist and Author |
Eileen J. O’Connor Former Assistant Attorney General President George W. Bush |
David Bozell President ForAmerica |
Austin Ruse President Center for Family & Human Rights (C-Fam) |
Richard Manning President Americans for Limited Government |
James Simpson Freelance Investigative Journalist |
George Landrith President Frontiers of Freedom |
Alfonso Aguilar President Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles |
John Zmirak Senior Editor TheStream.org |
Allen Roth President Secure America Now |
Craig Shirley Presidential Historian Shirley & Banister Public Affairs |
Eunie Smith President Eagle Forum |
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