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The report also found: Romney received much more "vetting" by the press than his Republican rivals. News outlets explored matters such as his history in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and experience at the private equity firm Bain Capital in at least 12 percent of their stories about the candidate. Gingrich received a similar level of scrutiny, but was the subject of only about half as much campaign coverage as Romney. Santorum never received a sustained period of positive coverage despite his election victories. Coverage was momentarily positive at three points: after his strong showing in the kickoff Iowa caucuses Jan. 3; following triumphs in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri on Feb. 7; and the week he won in Louisiana on March 24. But the positive coverage was quickly overshadowed each time by doubts about the former Pennsylvania senator's organization and fundraising. Gingrich's only period of sustained positive coverage came in the week of his victory in the South Carolina primary Jan. 21. After his poor debate performances the following week and a loss to Romney in Florida on Jan. 31, coverage of the former House speaker went back into negative territory and never really recovered. Paul received the most positive coverage, but also the least amount of coverage. Only 7 percent of stories featured the Texas congressman as a significant newsmaker, compared with 59 percent for Romney, 31 percent for Santorum and 30 percent for Gingrich. Obama did not enjoy a single week of coverage that was more positive than negative. The negative coverage was driven by several factors, including the sustained attacks against him by the Republican field, a spike in gas prices, the uncertain pace of economic recovery and the Supreme Court challenge to his health law.
[Associated
Press;
AP deputy director of polling Jennifer Agiesta in Washington contributed to this story.
Follow Beth Fouhy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bfouhy.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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