Discussing Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's (D-NY) possible presidential run, on the May 31 broadcast of ABC's World News Tonight, ABC News correspondent Jake Tapper ignored the positive results of a recent ABC News/Washington Post poll that focused on Clinton. Tapper cited the poll, claiming that “a daunting 42 percent of all Americans say they will never vote for her,” adding that "[s]ome think she's too liberal. Others think she's untrustworthy." But in claiming that “some” and “others” find Clinton too liberal and untrustworthy, Tapper ignored the actual results of the poll that found that a majority of those polled said Clinton is, in fact, “honest and trustworthy,” while a minority thought she is “too liberal,” with a majority saying her views are “about right.” Tapper also ignored that a majority said they would either “definitely” vote for or “consider” voting for Clinton in the 2008 presidential election.

According to the May 15 poll, 52 percent of those polled said that Clinton is honest and trustworthy, while 42 percent said she is not. And when the poll asked: “Do you think Hillary Clinton's views on most issues are too (liberal) for you, too (conservative) for you, or just about right?” a minority, 37 percent, said she is too liberal and 52 percent claimed her views on most issues are “about right.” Further, 57 percent of the poll's respondents said they would either definitely vote for (19 percent) or consider voting for (38 percent) Clinton for president in 2008.

Tapper also ignored other positive results for Clinton from the poll he cited. Fifty-four percent had a favorable opinion of Clinton, while 42 percent did not. Respondents were asked if certain statements applied to Clinton: Asked if she is a strong leader, 68 percent said yes and 30 percent said no; asked if Clinton is “an open and friendly person,” 58 percent said yes, while 38 percent said no. Sixty-five percent said she has “strong family values,” while 32 percent said she does not. Finally, 31 percent said Clinton “seems to be an angry person,” and 67 percent said she does not.

During the segment, onscreen text read, “too liberal” and “untrustworthy,” without even the qualifiers that Tapper used, that is, “some” and “others” think.

From the May 31 broadcast of ABC's World News Tonight:

TAPPER: While many Democrats believe that Clinton will get her party's presidential nomination, some are fearful that she cannot win the presidency. A new ABC News poll shows a daunting 42 percent of all Americans say they'll never vote for her. Some think she's too liberal. Others think she's untrustworthy. And that's a big concern for Democrats who want a candidate who can appeal to moderates and independents in important states such as Ohio and Florida.