Skip to content

Then basically what was happening was that it was the…

“Then basically what was happening was that it was the middle '80s, and Rolling Stone realized that a lot of their readers had voted for [Ronald] Reagan, and they were going, "Gosh! We need a Republican! Does anybody know a Republican? Wait a minute! I think P.J.'s a Republican!"” quote by P. J. O'Rourke
Download Open image
“Then basically what was happening was that it was the middle '80s, and Rolling Stone realized that a lot of their readers had voted for [Ronald] Reagan, and they were going, "Gosh! We need a Republican! Does anybody know a Republican? Wait a minute! I think P.J.'s a Republican!"”

P. J. O'Rourke

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The piece satirically notes how a liberal magazine scrambled to find a Republican voice after discovering many readers supported Reagan.

In simple terms: A liberal outlet tried to pick a Republican commentator because of reader politics.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and address audience diversity without tokenism.

Themes

politics media satire identity culture

Mood

ironic critical playful

Type

commentary satire observation

When to use this quote

  • editorial meetings
  • political campaigns
  • media strategy
  • audience analysis

Key Concepts

partisan labeling media bias public perception

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can media reflect diverse viewpoints authentically?
  • What are the risks of token representation?
A Different Perspective

May oversimplify complex political identities and alienate readers.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by P. J. O'Rourke

Explore all 983 P. J. O'Rourke quotes

More 80s quotes

Browse all 488 80s quotes