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May 18, 2013
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Actual CNN Headline: 'Ryan Muddles Origin of Reagan's "Are You Better Off" Line'

By Noel Sheppard | September 04, 2012 | 19:29

A  A
Noel Sheppard's picture

While the Obama-loving media ignore or make excuses for the almost incessant gaffes by Joe Biden, they are carefully scrutinizing every word said by the Republican nominees for President and Vice President.

Doing its part Tuesday was CNN.com which moments ago actually published an article with the headline "Ryan Muddles Origin of Reagan's 'Are You Better Off' Line":

Republican vice presidential nominee Rep. Paul Ryan has been readily quoting Ronald Reagan's famous "are you better off" line this week but Tuesday he misstated when and where the Gipper made his remark. [...]

"I remember a convention speech – I was a pretty young guy at the time but I remember a convention speech," Ryan said Tuesday in the make-or-break state of Ohio. "Remember Ronald Reagan talking about Jimmy Carter, are you better off now than you were four years ago?"

Like a lot of people that line is seared in Ryan's memory but not everyone remembers when and where Reagan said it.

Reagan didn't use the line until just before the election during his only presidential debate with Carter. [...]

This is the second unforced error for Ryan in two days and it comes as the candidate continues to face questions about his own convention speech and whether he accurately linked Obama to the closed GM plant in his hometown of Janesville.

Story Continues Below Ad ↓

So, Biden can say virtually anything he wants with total impunity, but if Ryan wrongly cites when former President Reagan said something 32 years ago, it's an "unforced error" worthy of an article at CNN.com.

Voters better get used to this double standard because Romney and Ryan are going to have to pitch a perfect game for the next two months to avoid such media criticism.

By contrast, Obama and Biden will be allowed regular, continuous miscues without any concern their press will bat an eye.

Must be nice to not only have all the referees on your side, but also know that the rules only apply to your opponents. 

About the Author

Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Click here to follow Noel Sheppard on Twitter.
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