Indiana Gov. Mike Pence’s (R) plans to launch a state-run “news” site that will offer pre-written stories to local outlets around the state has sparked some serious mockery by both Democrats and conservatives.
National Review’s Twitter account tied the odd sounding news venture with Pence’s decision to expand Medicaid in the state.
Perhaps @GovPenceIN is launching his own news site ->
http://t.co/lLH1ZDuB45
To spin his expansion of Medicaid
-> http://t.co/dGFnuQc19i
— National Review (@NRO) January 27, 2015
Democrats couldn’t resist weighing in, either. The Democratic Governor’s Association emailed out a “faux” list of headlines for Just IN (the name of the Pence’s venture).
Yesterday, the Indianapolis Star (a real news outlet) reported that Gov. Mike Pence has launched a state-run news outlet called “Just IN” to tell you what to report as he contemplates a run for the presidency – it even includes an “Editorial Board” overseen by the Governor’s communications staff (seriously). The DGA has obtained a series of not-yet-published Just IN headlines and we’ll be releasing them on Twitter throughout the day:
Gov Mike Pence: Great Governor or Greatest Governor? #JustInHeadlines
Mike Pence scores record 18 straight hole-in ones #JustInHeadlines
Mike Pence tells Seth Rogan he’s not funny #JustInHeadlines
Does Gov Mike Pence look better in a blue or black suit? #JustInHeadlines
Mike Pence could be President #JustInHeadlines
Dennis Rodman visiting South Bend next week #JustInHeadlines
Mike Pence scores record 18 straight hole-in ones #JustInHeadlines
A publisher for one of the small newspapers that Just IN aims to provide content called the idea “ludicrous.”
“I have no problem with public information services —the Purdue University agriculture extension service does a great job,” Portland, Indiana Commercial Review publisher Jack Ronald told the Indianapolis Star. “But the notion of elected officials presenting material that will inevitably have a pro-administration point of view is antithetical to the idea of an independent press.”
