Politics | media bias AP Bureau Chief Considered Job With McCain It's the 2nd accusation of cozying up to right wing for Fournier By Kevin Spak Posted Jul 30, 2008 1:58 PM CDT Copied John McCain takes questions from Ron Fournier, right, during an Associated Press interview in Washington, April 14, 2008. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) Ron Fournier’s objectivity is being questioned yet again, as Politico reports that the AP’s Washington bureau chief was offered a senior position in the McCain campaign before returning to the wire service in March 2007. Fournier’s political leanings have been a hot topic lately, since a 2004 email surfaced in which the reporter told Bush adviser Karl Rove to “keep up the fight.” McCain adviser Mark Salter says he wanted to hire Fournier for his expertise, and doesn’t know what the reporter’s political leanings are. But Media Matters says the AP’s coverage under Fournier has been distinctly right-leaning. Fournier has told reporters to use a more interpretive, blunt style. Once a hard news reporter, Fournier now writes mostly opinion and analysis. Read These Next Do you really care if your diamond was made in a lab? Having a million is 'no longer a backstage pass' to luxury. RIP Corporation for Public Broadcasting, 1967-2025. A 911 call to a Canadian search and rescue team was an odd one. Report an error