Brendan Nyhan

George Will’s false equivalence

Phil Klinkner of Polysigh points out a classic case of false equivalence from George Will in the Washington Post:

There are the tantrums — sometimes both theatrical and perfunctory — of talking heads on television or commentators writing in vitriol (Paul Krugman’s incessant contempt, Ann Coulter’s equally constant loathing).

Is Paul Krugman contemptuous of Republicans? Yes. Is there any comparison between his work and the name-calling, vitriol, and disinformation of Ann Coulter? No.