Fox News Live's Jarrett called Ohio governor's race "now a bit of a nail-biter" -- but latest polls show Democrat far ahead
SUMMARY: Introducing an interview with Democratic Ohio gubernatorial candidate Ted Strickland on Fox News Live, host Gregg Jarrett claimed that unnamed "experts say [Ohio] is yet again shaping up to be a key battleground state" and the race for governor of Ohio is "now a bit of a nail-biter." But polling data tell a different story: The most recent state polling puts Strickland far ahead of his opponent, Republican J. Kenneth Blackwell.
Introducing an interview with Democratic Ohio gubernatorial candidate Ted Strickland on the May 23 edition of Fox News' Fox News Live, host Gregg Jarrett claimed that unnamed "[e]xperts say [Ohio] is yet again shaping up to be a key battleground state" and the race for governor of Ohio is "now a bit of a nail-biter." As Jarrett spoke, the on-screen text read, "Gubernatorial Race in OH Going To Be Close in Nov"; this text appeared throughout much of the segment. At the end of the interview, Jarrett called the race a "close case in an important state." But polling data tell a different story.
The most recent state polling puts Strickland far ahead of his opponent, Republican J. Kenneth Blackwell. A May 8 Rasmussen Reports poll gave Strickland a 16-point lead over Blackwell, 52 percent to 36 percent. So far, Rasmussen's polling for this year has shown Strickland's lead steadily increasing, up from 4 points in January (44 percent versus 40 percent). Rasmussen's three-month average (March, April, and May) also has Strickland ahead of Blackwell 51 to 37 percent.
In addition, an April 24-26 Mason-Dixon Polling and Research Inc. poll conducted for the Cleveland Plain Dealer put Strickland 10 points ahead of Blackwell, 47 to 37 percent.
From the May 23 edition of Fox News' Fox News Live:
JARRETT: Some experts say the Buckeye State is yet again shaping up to be a key battleground state, this time for the year 2006 elections. The question of who is in charge of the state is now a bit of a nail-biter. Joining us: Congressman and Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio Ted Strickland. Congressman, good to see you.
STRICKLAND: Thank you for having me.
[...]
JARRETT: We've got to end it here. I want to be fair and balanced in terms of the amount of time we gave Mr. Blackwell last Friday. Thank you so much. It's an interesting and a close case in an important state, Ohio. Best of luck to you. Thank you.
STRICKLAND: Thank you.
Fox is biting it's nails wondering how they are going to pull a win out of thier collective behinds!
It is no surprise that FAUX news lies. They do it everyday, in so many ways (many but not all are cataloged on this site). In this case, they frame the introduction in the best light to "their " candidate; Blackwell the REP, natch. But by promoting the fact that this race is a nail-biter they give loyal DEMs the motivation to get out and work harder, get out and vote, get out a couple of bucks for the cause. The tendency is to slack off a bit when you are ahead, and this the DEMs must not do .... thanks FAUX for the assist.
Trying to sway independents.
It's much easier to sell a fixed election if the polls are perceived as tight. Because Ohio polls showed a tight race in Nov '04, people accepted the fix even though it contradicted exit polling. We accept that here although places like the Ukraine don't. It would be pushing credulity, however, to expect people to swallow an upset where a lead had been 16 points. Could Fox be making the race look closer so a fix would be more acceptable? Diebold machines will only take you so far.
It is a nailbiter. For the Republican candidate, it is a nailbiter, but for the Democrats it's "Let's not blow this."
They will dispute all polls that show a strong distance between candidates. Watch as the election draws closer there will be more stories of how close the race has become. All in an effort to make a republican win more plausible if not predictable.
Whenever someone at Fox News lies about something, there's always the element of wishful thinking involved. In this case, they wish it were a nail-biter.
I could forgive the Fox News team for simple errors--they happen to the best of us. But when, as here, their "errors" always try to steer public opinion in a certain direction, then they have forfeited their status as journalists. A journalist simply educates the populace on current events. By contrast, Fox is constantly trying to shape public opinion. By this standard, Fox is not News.
"Simply educates the populace " You've got to be kidding?!? And, what exactly are the newspapers doing when they post the poll numbers? If they aren't "tweeking" the numbers to gain an advantage with "the populace" then all the numbers would agree with each other. And who are "Rasmussen's" and the "Cleveland Plain Dealer" ? Are these liberal think tanks or conservative think tanks doing the polling. Because everyone knows the numbers get further skewed depending on "who" you ask.
So, it boils down to liberal polls show a 52-37 lead, conservatives say "close", that puts the real numbers at 46-42 (+/- 3). But since the "vote" will be protested anyway cause Ohions don't know how to work a voting machine we get to have this arguement for the next month or two.
..maybe they know something about the state of Ohio that we don't!
We need to make a new classification for Republican's like Blackwell I am amazed at how horrible this man is even for a Republican. The State house (run by repub's) had to make a special law to bypass this incredibly stupid amendment Blackwell was pushing for spending limits. It was so poorly written even the state repub were afraid it would cause their party to be crushed.
Pay attention to any national candiate that endorses Blackwell (McCain) anyone who would endorse this idiot clearly has no scruples. Blackwell preaches hate toward gays and shows no shame. Pushed the ban gay marriage amendment even though there was a law on the books already and has no shame when saying Religion should be the main force behind politics.
Will the Diebold machines be reprogrammed in time to steal the election?
Depends on how many dead people the democrats can get to vote again this year.
Just like Rove's revelation that Bush actually has a 60% Approval Rating.