During a Fox & Friends discussion about the outcome of the November 3 elections, an on-screen graphic stated, “Republicans' hope rekindled; Wins send shockwaves thru Congress.” In fact, only two races -- in New York and California -- had a congressional seat at stake, and Democrats won both.
Fox & Friends “shockwaves” graphic misses the mark
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Fox & Friends graphic says, “Republicans' hope rekindled; Wins send shockwaves thru Congress”
From the November 4 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends:
In fact, Democrats won the nation's only two congressional races
NY-23: Democrat Bill Owens defeated Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman. According to statistician Nate Silver, “Democrat Bill Owens prevails in a result that will be regarded as surprising; the final tally isn't in yet but it appears as though it will be something on the order of 50-45 over Conservative Doug Hoffman.” [FiveThirtyEight.com, 11/4/09]
CA-10: Democrat John Garamendi defeated Republican David Harmer. Silver also wrote of the California results: “CA-10: California Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi has been declared the winner. His lead as of this writing is 10 points, almost exactly matching the margin in the only poll of the race, but smaller than the margins by which retiring incumbent Ellen Tauscher had grown accustomed to winning.” [FiveThirtyEight.com, 11/4/09]
Other Fox & Friends graphics declare GOP victories the “winds of change,” a “Republican revival,” and a “blueprint for success”
Fox & Friends decides: GOP victories the “winds of change,” a “Republican revival,” and a “blueprint for success.” As Media Matters for America noted, other on-screen graphics read: “A GOP sweep; Republicans take VA, NJ gov races”; “The future of the GOP; Party poised to make a comeback”; “A blueprint for success? Races may determine GOP's future”; “A Republican revival; Races pave the way for 2010 wins”; and “Winds of change; Contests prompt a political shift.”