The Chicago Tribune provided minimal and dry coverage of the 2012 election that focused on potential Republican candidates and how current issues might impact President Obama's re-election chances. In contrast, Politico, Daily Kos, and Huffington Post featured more extensive election coverage with differing tones. Politico favored Republican candidates while Daily Kos and Huffington Post were more critical of Republicans and less supportive of Obama.

1. ChicagoTribuneHuffington Post V.PoliticoDaily Kos

2. DirectCoverageLittle direct coverage

3. Extent of direct coverage was what Republicans were serious potential candidates and if there would possibly be a challenge to Obamafrom the left

4. Vast majority of Chicago Tribune political coverage was local

5. entire Election CenterIndirectCoverageThere was much more indirect coverage

6. But still not a significant amount

7. Articles concerning the 2012 election mostly mentioned it in passing

8. Example: Broad article about the budget and Obama’s handling of it, then paragraph explaining how his views might affect his campaign & the election

9. Same with unions, unemployment, Social Security, ectPotential Republican CandidatesThe Donald?Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich?Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty?Maybe even…former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney

10. former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum

11. former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman

12. former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee

13. former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour

14. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels

15. Minnesota Rep. Michele BachmannThemesNot really a dominant or central theme,

16. But if I had to choose

17. Potential Republican candidates&The impact of current issues & events on Obama’s chances of re-election

18. Chicago Tribune 2012 election coverage was

19. Minimal & dry

20. Not much opinion or analysis outside of editorials

21. Lacking in national coverage

22. 2012 Approach2012 = dominant themePermeates siteThemesRepublican coverageObamaMinimalLibya

23. Republican CoverageRight-leaning Coverage = Majority of ContentMichele BachmannBachmann steals the show: 'I'm in!‘Michele Bachmann bid could shake up GOP fieldShe “possesses an array of other strengths that are certain to make her a factor in the GOP primary”She is a “good fit”Sarah PalinPalin pounds Obama over IsraelImplying that Obama is acting incorrectly in IsraelMitt RomneyAnother McCain alum joins Team HuntsmanHighlighting how Republicans are gaining strengthHaley BarbourBarbour: 'What are we doing in Libya?'Again, implying that Obama isn’t reacting correctly

24. Politico Daily CalendarDaily CalendarALL politicians featured on March 24, 25, 26 and 27 were RepublicansCoincidence?