Error leaves NY Post red-faced

2004-07-06 20:21

New York - The tabloid New York Post was wiping egg from its face on Tuesday after identifying the wrong man in a front-page "exclusive" on Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's choice of running mate.

"Kerry's Choice" ran the banner headline in the Rupert Murdoch-owned newspaper, over a file photo of Kerry shaking hands with Congressman Richard Gephardt of Missouri.

The accompanying story analysed the "stunning" choice of Gephardt, stressing how the 63-year-old had managed to beat out the strong challenge of the youthful Senator John Edwards of North Carolina.

Unfortunately for the Post, Kerry announced on Tuesday morning that he had actually chosen Edwards for his vice presidential candidate.

The newspaper's online edition further confused the issue by continuing to run the erroneous print version of the story next to a "breaking news" link declaring that Edwards would be the running mate.

The mistake meant that the Post, which has never shied away from highlighting the errors of its rivals, was forced to swallow some of its own medicine.

The CNN network gleefully showed off the Post front page, pointing out that Murdoch's News Corp, also owned CNN rival Fox News.

On its inside pages, the Post compounded its mistake with an analysis of what it believed to be Kerry's choice, saying Gephardt would be an asset to Kerry in key battleground states in the Midwest.

It also underlined Edwards' lack of experience as one of the main reasons why he had been passed over.

- AFP