It’s reasonable to think that, as it is unquestionably true that the media vastly prefers Obama to McCain. However, there are other factors at work. They honestly do not like Ron Paul at all. If their preference for Obama was the only thing that mattered to them, why didn’t they try to pump up Ron Paul when he was in the race in order to weaken McCain? Ron Paul’s 16% showing in PA after the race was pretty much over would certainly have led to a multitude of stories along the lines of “Ron Paul’s showing in PA points to buyer’s remorse”. Those stories simply were not written. Ron Paul’s success (such as it was) was an interesting story and it was almost completely ignored.
To the media, Obama is the favored candidate, McCain is an acceptable candidate, Ron Paul is an unacceptable candidate.
The MSM does not want Ron Paul in debates talking about things like “why we should abolish the Federal Reserve.”
If these rumors of a Ron Paul Libertarian/Constitutionalist run do prove to be true, I do agree that, to the extent that the media covers him, he will be painted as a Conservative.
Depending on what issues Ron Paul wants to emphasize, he can take votes from either Obama or McCain.
I’d recommend that Ron Paul focus on - 1) take all overseas troops home now and 2) end the war on drugs, because I think those positions would appeal more to Obama supporters than McCain supporters.
Without any real 3rd party competition, McCain/Palin wins anywhere from 55-45 to 60-40.
With Ron Paul in the race, all bets are off. If Ron Paul focuses on things like “abolish the federal income tax entirely and slash federal spending”, McCain could have some real problems.
After McCain wrapped up the nomination, it really would have been in his best interest to be a bit nicer to Ron Paul (being fair in the treatment of delegates or letting Ron Paul speak at the convention).
McCain’s going out of his way to antagonize Ron Paul may have made Ron Paul dislike McCain enough to go 3rd party.
Don’t forget that Ron Paul got 20% in the strongest, most populated Republican areas of South Central PA (Harrisburg, Lancaster, York).
If Ron Paul runs, McCain shouldn’t consider Pennsylvania an essential part of his electoral strategy.
I think you answered your own question. They knew they couldn’t push Paul over the finish line in the primaries but they could help McCain, and did.
Now if Paul runs they will make a HUGE deal of it and hope he plays spoiler in a few key states.