Washingtonpost.com's Cillizza repeatedly and falsely referred to Lieberman as a Democrat

Summary: On America's Election HQ, Chris Cillizza repeatedly and falsely referred to Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman as a Democrat. Even though an on-screen graphic identified Lieberman as an independent, Cillizza stated of the possibility that Sen. John McCain would pick a Democrat as a running mate: "[T]he Democrat that I think makes the most sense -- though I would say I think it's very unlikely John McCain picks a Democrat -- but the Democrat that makes the most sense is Joe Lieberman."

During an appearance on the April 6 edition of Fox News' America's Election HQ to discuss potential running mates for Sen. John McCain, washingtonpost.com staff writer Chris Cillizza repeatedly and falsely referred to Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman as a Democrat. Even though an on-screen graphic identified Lieberman as an independent, Cillizza stated of the possibility that McCain would pick a Democrat as a running mate: "[T]he Democrat that I think makes the most sense -- though I would say I think it's very unlikely John McCain picks a Democrat -- but the Democrat that makes the most sense is Joe Lieberman."

Cillizza noted that Lieberman endorsed McCain and that the two "are very close when it comes to the -- their thoughts -- how to handle the war in Iraq." But he continued to falsely assert that Lieberman is a Democrat: "[H]e's still a Democrat. Now, many Democrats would disown him, but he has a 'D' after his name." By contrast, recent Washington Post articles all identify Lieberman as an independent. Moreover, in a January 17, 2007, Washington Post article, Cillizza and staff writer Shailagh Murray identified Lieberman as an independent.

As Media Matters for America has repeatedly noted, on January 12, 2007, Congressional Quarterly reported that "Lieberman has asked to be called an Independent Democrat," adding that "if the compound modifier that the senator prefers was not going to take hold, then Lieberman's second choice is to be described as an Independent."

From the 5 p.m. hour of Fox News' America's Election HQ on April 6:

FINE: What about the real long shots in this poll? There were even some Democrats named by some of these voters.

CILLIZZA: You know, the Democrat that I think makes the most sense -- though I would say I think it's very unlikely John McCain picks a Democrat -- but the Democrat that makes the most sense is Joe Lieberman. This is someone from Connecticut. He endorsed John McCain. He campaigned with John McCain in New Hampshire. He and John McCain are very close when it comes to the -- their thoughts -- how to handle the war in Iraq. But he's still a Democrat. Now, many Democrats would disown him, but he has a "D" after his name. He caucuses with the Democrats in the Senate.

And John McCain -- the truth of the matter is -- and you mentioned this, Molly -- is he probably needs to pick someone who is both more conservative than he and someone younger than he is. He has acknowledged in interviews in the past that his age -- he'll be 72 if elected in November -- is a concern for voters. Joe Lieberman is not significantly younger than him. I think you're looking at someone probably in his or her mid-40s, mid-50s.

—M.M.B.