During the October 24 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, co-host Gretchen Carlson tied allegations -- since reportedly recanted -- by McCain supporter Ashley Todd that she was violently attacked by a black man in Pittsburgh because of her support for Sen. John McCain to a report that police are preparing for the possibility of riots on Election Day. Carlson reported: “Was politics behind this attack? This John McCain volunteer reportedly robbed at a Pittsburgh ATM. Now, this Ashley Todd, 20 years old, she tells police that after her attacker saw the John McCain sticker on her car, he punched her in the head and carved this 'B' into her face. So far, police have not confirmed this story.” Carlson continued: “This comes on the heels of a report -- we told you yesterday -- that shows police concerned about rioting should Barack Obama lose this election.”

During the October 23 edition of Fox & Friends, apparently discussing an October 21 Hill.com article, Carlson had reported that "[p]olice departments around the country are beefing up in advance of Election Day. Police chiefs say with the first black on the ballot for president and the first woman on the ballot for -- that's not true. But anyway, the second woman on the ballot for vice president -- they want to be ready if anger over the results pours into the streets." Carlson added: “Some worry there will be rioting if Barack Obama loses and somebody starts talking fraud.” The Hill reported: “Police departments in cities across the country are beefing up their ranks for Election Day, preparing for possible civil unrest and riots after the historic presidential contest. Public safety officials said in interviews with The Hill that the election, which will end with either the nation's first black president or its first female vice president, demanded a stronger police presence.”

From the October 23 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends:

CARLSON: Police departments around the country are beefing up in advance of Election Day. Police chiefs say with the first black on the ballot for president and the first woman on the ballot for -- that's not true. But anyway, the second woman on the ballot for vice president -- they want to be ready if anger over the results pours into the streets.

This is something we haven't talked about much yet. Some worry there will be rioting if Barack Obama loses and somebody starts talking fraud. There could be a lot of unhappiness also if polling places are unprepared for the very large turnout.

BRIAN KILMEADE (co-host): Well, what about people that just like to celebrate big victories --

STEVE DOOCY (co-host): Sure.

KILMEADE: -- like at every Super Bowl? That's why as a pre-emptive strike, I'm turning over my car. No matter who wins, I'm turning over my car so they leave me alone.

From the October 24 edition of Fox & Friends:

CARLSON: Was politics behind this attack? This John McCain volunteer reportedly robbed at a Pittsburgh ATM. Now, this Ashley Todd, 20 years old, she tells police that after her attacker saw the John McCain sticker on her car, he punched her in the head and carved this “B” into her face.

So far, police have not confirmed this story. This comes on the heels of a report -- we told you yesterday -- that shows police concerned about rioting should Barack Obama lose this election.