An Associated Press “test” article declaring President Bush the winner of the 2004 election and a Republican majority in the House and Senate was posted on the websites of at least five television stations yesterday, prompting calls from confused readers.
The article, bearing an AP copyright, had all indications it was a real story on the sites of KVOA in Arizona, KAIT in Arkansas, WBOC in Delaware, WBAY in Wisconsin and WQAD in Illinois.
Twenty-six days before the general election, the story on WBAY’s site, under the motto “Coverage you can count on,” read:
At this hour, President Bush has won re-election as president by a 47 percent to 43 percent margin in the popular vote nationwide. Ralph Nader has 1 percent of the vote nationwide. That’s with 51 percent of the precincts reporting.
Bush has won 324 electoral votes in 33 states. He is leading in 4 states for a total of 43 more electoral votes.
Kerry has won 105 electoral votes in 8 states and the District of Columbia. He is leading in 5 states for a total of 48 more electoral votes.
Nader has not won any state and is not currently leading in any state.
In the 435 U.S. House races, the Republicans have won 173 seats and are leading in the races for 56 seats. The Democrats have won 145 seats and are leading in the races for 56 seats. Independent and other party candidates have won or are leading for 3 seats. If these trends continue, the Republicans will retain control of the House.
In the 34 races for the U.S. Senate, the Republicans have won 14 seats and are leading in the races for 4 seats. The Democrats have won 13 seats and are leading in the races for 3 seats. Independent and other party candidates have won or are leading for 1 seat. If these trends continue, the Republicans will retain control of the Senate and will gain 3 seats.
Later, WBAY-TV issued a correction, stating: “President Bush Did Not Win Election on October 7.”
The station said the test article was picked up by WBAY.com’s automated system.
“The headline of the AP story did not bear that all-important word for the automated filters … ‘test,'” the station said.
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