Fox News Explains Why Rand Paul Was Left Out of 2016 Poll Graphic
A funny thing happened on Thursday morning when Fox & Friends presented the results of the most recent Quinnipiac poll that found five Republican presidential candidates tied for first place with 10% each. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who finished sixth on the list with 7%, was no where to be found:
Instead, both Carly Fiorina and John Kasich made it into Fox’s top 10 graphic at 2% a piece. The number 10 is key because Fox has said it will only allow the top 10 finishers in the most recent polling participate in its first GOP debate this August.
The error was first spotted by Rare’s Nick Morpus, who noted that when MSNBC’s Morning Joe covered the same poll, it including the top seven finishers, including Paul:
And apparently, this is not the first time Fox has left Paul out of it’s polling coverage. Earlier this month, Fox placed Paul’s name at the bottom and Jeb Bush’s name at the top of a graphic that showed how candidates are fairing against Hillary Clinton, despite the fact that Paul was the leader. Then, the following week, Fox left Paul out of its internal poll completely, which once again showed Bush in the lead.
Mediaite reached out to a Fox News representative who explained the Fox & Friends omission was nothing more than a “program error.” Also, Sen. Paul appeared on Fox & Friends May 26th.
Watch the Fox & Friends clip below, via Fox News:
[Photo via screengrab]
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