Paul Ryan's 'In the Room-ism' Catch-22

In an interview with conservative commentator Charlie Sykes at The Bulwark, former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan defended his silence about election misinformation and other problems at Fox News with what Sykes dubbed “in the room-ism.”

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Ian McLoud
Admitting When We're Wrong

Do you know that friend — or maybe by now they're just acquaintance — who is never wrong about anything? The person who cannot just be right, they have to ensure you know you’re wrong.

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Ian McLoud
Tribal Reflexes, Critical Ignoring, and Growing Christianity

"Any time my tribe or my allies are under fire, before I yield to the temptation of a reflexive defense, I should apply my principles and carefully consider the most uncomfortable of thoughts: My opponents might be right, my allies might be wrong and justice may require that I change my mind. And it may, in all likelihood, require that I do this again and again."

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Ian McLoud
When Telling the Truth is Deemed Partisan

The body cam footage of the officers who responded to Paul Pelosi's 911 call after an intruder broke in has been released. And while you might think this means the conspiracy theories around what really happened the day David DePape broke into the Pelosi home have ended, they have not.

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Ian McLoud
How to Encourage Civility From Politicians? Give Them a Score

One answer to the current problems of American politics is dignity. At least, that is the thinking behind the Dignity Index project leader Tami Pyfer. Pyfer, a former special ed teacher and high-level Republican appointee in Utah's political scene, is working with Unite, a national nonprofit organization focused on healing America's divides

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Ian McLoud
The Good and Bad of Media Disinformation

We tend to view all media in terms of the hypodermic needle theory, meaning that you read, watch, or hear a story, and your brain is flooded with information to the point that it irrevocably changes your actions. Just like how people listened to that tape of Donald Trump demeaning women while Billy Bush guffawed in the background, and Trump had to end his campaign. Except, that's different from how it happened because the hypodermic needle theory is not true.

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Ian McLoud
How to Build Republican Trust in Elections (Even When They Lose)

One unfortunate result of Trump's constant election denying is that Republicans, even two years after the 2020 election, remain skeptical about elections in the US. And while Kari Lake was unsuccessful in her challenge of the 2022 Arizona Governor election, it seems as if this will be a strategy for at least part of the GOP from now on when they lose.

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Ian McLoud
Freedom of Speech Under Attack in Florida

While proponents of the Individual Freedom Act may try and focus on the name of the bill to say that it gives freedom back to college students to fight the tyranny of radical professors, the reality is that the legislation is forcing professors to not speak about issues of race lest they risk losing their jobs.

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Ian McLoud
AVC's Top 5 Stories of 2022

As everyone looks forward to the new year and the changes they would like to see, I believe it is also a helpful practice to look back and reflect on the year that was. So, as 2022 winds down, here are AVC's top five stories from a wild year in politics and misinformation on the Right.

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Ian McLoud
Help Wanted: Republicans With Courage and Integrity

The recent midterm elections show that if enough conservatives speak up against candidates who care more about lies that protect a former president than actually defending our nation, Republicans with courage and integrity can take the reins. Will principled conservatives hold their elected officials to account and say, "no more"? Only time will tell.

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Ian McLoud
Antisemitism Gets a Boost

You have likely heard the news that shortly before Thanksgiving, former president Donald Trump invited two antisemites into his home to break bread, including Kanye “Ye” West and Nick Fuentes, a certified Neo-Nazi and Holocaust denier. Ye has recently been spouting anti-semitic remarks and seems to be taking the next step by palling around with Fuentes.

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Ian McLoud