Mueller added that conservatives are more willing to go into the liberal lions’ den because both sides of the aisle believe there are more robust liberal outlets. Pelosi and Biden don’t need to go on Fox because there are plenty of less antagonistic press outlets anxious for their appearance. Not so for conservatives.

And conservatives cited another reason for engaging all comers after the 2012 elections: if their ideas are better, as they maintain, then they have to expound those ideas in as many places as possible.

“We live in a multi-various media environment,” said Rick Wilson, a GOP media consultant. “We don’t live in a world where you can usefully advocate for a major policy change by talking only to National Review and The Weekly Standard. Those places have their own merits, but you have to address a broad spectrum in order to communicate complex policy issues.”

Plus, he added, “If your ideas are strong and you are confident about what you are advocating, you don’t care where you go to advocate them. You want the opportunity to influence the public discussion.”