Who Owns RealClearPolitics? A Comprehensive Guide to Ownership, Leadership, and Access

Introduction

Understanding who owns RealClearPolitics is crucial for anyone seeking transparency in political media. Ownership affects editorial policy, content strategy, and public trust. This article provides an in-depth examination of RealClearPolitics’ ownership history, current structure, leadership, and how users can access its resources. All information in this guide is based on verified, authoritative sources, with direct textual guidance when URLs cannot be confirmed.

Origins and Evolution of RealClearPolitics

RealClearPolitics was founded in 2000 by John McIntyre and Tom Bevan . Their vision was to create a platform that aggregated political news from diverse sources, allowing Americans to access a wide range of perspectives regardless of location or ideology. This approach quickly gained traction, transforming RealClearPolitics from a simple aggregator to a major media company that now includes original reporting, polling, and multimedia content [1] [2] .

Current Ownership Structure

Ownership of RealClearPolitics has shifted over time, reflecting its growth and changing strategic priorities. Initially, the company was independently owned by its founders. In 2007, Forbes Media LLC acquired a 51% equity interest, signaling the platform’s rising influence. However, in May 2015, Forbes’ stake was bought out by RealClear Investors and Crest Media , the latter led by Jamal Daniel, who is also the founder of Al-Monitor [3] [4] .

Today, RealClearPolitics is operated by RealClear Investors and Crest Media . Crest Media is notable for its ownership of other news outlets, including the Middle East-focused Al-Monitor. RealClearPolitics itself is now part of a larger entity, the RealClear Media Group (RCMG) , which encompasses 14 specialty areas of coverage and several associated sites, such as RealClearMarkets, RealClearWorld, and RealClearSports [2] .

Leadership and Operational Model

The company’s leadership is as follows:

John McIntyre : Co-founder & CEO of RealClearPolitics and President & CEO of RealClear Holdings, LLC
Tom Bevan : Co-founder & Publisher
Erin Waters : President of RealClear Media Group

This leadership team guides editorial policy, strategic direction, and expansion efforts. RealClearPolitics employs a staff of seasoned reporters and editors who contribute original content, in addition to aggregating articles from across the media landscape. Notable contributors include Philip Wegmann, Susan Crabtree, and A.B. Stoddard, among others [4] .

Revenue Generation and Business Model

RealClearPolitics generates revenue primarily through subscriptions and online advertising. Its reputation for providing comprehensive polling data, especially the RCP Poll Average , has made it a trusted source for political experts, journalists, and campaign consultants. The platform is widely cited by major news organizations, including The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Financial Times, FOX News, CNN, USA Today, and MSNBC [2] .

In addition to advertising, RealClearPolitics has launched initiatives such as RealClearPublishing, which produces books on political topics, and RealClearOpinion Research, a polling firm that offers deeper insights into voter behavior [1] .

Controversies and Associated Properties

RealClearPolitics operates several related websites under the RealClear Media Group umbrella. These include RealClearMarkets, RealClearWorld, RealClearSports, RealClearScience, RealClearReligion, RealClearHistory, and RealClearDefense. Each site focuses on a specific niche, expanding the group’s reach beyond politics [4] .

The company has faced criticism for its involvement with the right-wing Facebook page “Conservative Country,” which has published content supportive of former President Trump and other far-right positions. Although RealClearPolitics maintains a commitment to aggregating diverse political views, its association with such pages has been noted in media analyses [5] .

How to Access RealClearPolitics Resources and Services

RealClearPolitics is accessible to the public online. To engage with its resources, users can:

Visit the official RealClearPolitics website at www.realclearpolitics.com . This is the primary portal for news aggregation, original reporting, and polling data.
Explore specialized content through RealClear Media Group’s niche sites, such as RealClearMarkets and RealClearWorld. These sites are linked from the main RealClearPolitics page and offer in-depth coverage in their respective fields.
Subscribe to email newsletters for regular updates on political news, polling averages, and expert analysis. Subscription options are available directly on the RealClearPolitics website.
Follow RealClearPolitics and its related properties on social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter, for real-time news updates and commentary.
Access polling data through the RCP Poll Average, used by media organizations and campaign professionals for election analysis.
Contact RealClearPolitics directly for inquiries by using the contact information provided on its official website. For those interested in advertising or partnership opportunities, dedicated contact forms and business information are available online.

For individuals seeking more in-depth engagement, RealClearPolitics occasionally hosts events, webinars, and discussions. These may be announced on the official website or through newsletters.

Step-by-Step Guidance to Engage with RealClearPolitics

If you want to leverage RealClearPolitics for research, professional analysis, or personal interest, follow these steps:

Go to www.realclearpolitics.com .
Browse the home page to find aggregated headlines and original articles.
Click on the “Polls” tab for up-to-date polling averages and historical data.
Use the “Opinion” section to read commentary from a range of political perspectives.
Scroll to the bottom of the page to find links to specialty RealClear sites (Markets, World, Sports, etc.).
Sign up for newsletters using the email subscription form provided.
For professional inquiries (journalist, advertiser, academic), use the contact details on the “About” page.

If you encounter any difficulties finding specific content or services, use the site’s search function or consider reaching out via the contact form.

Alternative Pathways and Additional Guidance

Users looking for information aggregated by RealClearPolitics but preferring alternative sources can:

Search for political polling data using established databases such as Gallup or Pew Research Center.
Consult academic and governmental resources for election analysis, such as the Federal Election Commission or major university political science departments.
Explore other news aggregators like Google News or Yahoo News for a broader media sample.

When seeking transparency in media ownership, review disclosures on official media group websites or use industry watchdogs such as the Media Bias/Fact Check database for up-to-date ownership and bias information.

Potential Challenges and Solutions

Some users may question the editorial neutrality of RealClearPolitics, given its aggregation model and connections to right-leaning properties. To assess bias, compare coverage and opinion columns across multiple sources. If seeking strictly nonpartisan data, supplement RealClearPolitics findings with independent polling and research organizations.

Summary and Key Takeaways

RealClearPolitics is currently owned by RealClear Investors and Crest Media , with leadership from founders John McIntyre and Tom Bevan. The platform is now part of the RealClear Media Group, offering broad coverage, original reporting, and influential polling averages. Users can access its offerings directly via its official website, subscribe to updates, and utilize its data for research and analysis. For those seeking further transparency or alternative viewpoints, compare RealClearPolitics content with other reputable news and polling sources.