The 21st Show

Did the mainstream media launch Darren Bailey to political prominence?

Produced by Harrison Malkin and Christine Hatfield
 
A man with close-cropped, graying hair wearing a dark blue suit with a white dress shirt and red tie. He raises the index finger on his right hand as he speaks. Behind him is a backdrop with his name, web address, and logo of his campaign.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Illinois state Sen. Darren Bailey addresses the crowd after winning the Republican primary Tuesday, June 28, 2022, in Effingham, Ill. AP/Charles Rex Arbogast

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Darren Bailey has announced another run for governor of Illinois. The downstate farmer easily won the Republican primary in 2022, but went on to lose to Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker by 13 points.

Bailey’s quick rise raises a question: How did a relatively obscure state lawmaker from rural Illinois end up with his party’s nomination? A new book argues the mainstream media bears much of the responsibility for giving Bailey the platform from which to launch his campaign. It’s called, “Amplifying Extremism: Small Town Politicians, Media Storms, and American Journalism.” We’ll talk about it with co-author and communications professor Nik Usher.

Guest

Nik Usher
Associate Professor, Department of Communication, University of San Diego
Author: “Amplifying Extremism: Small Town Politicians, Media Storms, and American Journalism”