Fox News chyron conjures up White House job “offer”

On today's edition of Happening Now on Fox News Channel, the following chyron appeared:

The caption reads “9/11/09: WH Offers Romanoff 3 Jobs To Drop Primary Challenge.” The chyron aired during an interview with RNC chairman Michael Steele, who was discussing conservative-generated controversy relating to the Senate candidacy of Andrew Romanoff in Colorado.

The problem is, the chyron adds a new false element to the story - both Romanoff and the White House have denied that any job offer was made, let alone 3. Romanoff said that three job descriptions were presented to him should he decide not to make a run for the senate seat, but “at no time was I promised a job,” and in fact, the White House aide who contacted him said he “could not guarantee my appointment to any of these positions.” Similarly, a White House statement said “there was no offer of a job.”

So where did Fox come up with this idea that there was any “offer” made? No other reporting supports this allegation, and the chyron isn't repeating a charge anyone made. Furthermore, in a later appearance on that same program Romanoff denied being offered a program. Based on all that contrary evidence, my best guess would be that this is just the latest from Fox's chyron writers doing their best to cast the Obama administration in a negative light.

At least the spelling was right this time.