Fox News apologizes for fictitious Kerry story

By Los Angeles Times

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The chief political correspondent for Fox News wrote a fictitious story yesterday referring to John Kerry as a "metrosexual" who does manicures. The report was posted temporarily on the network's Web site.

In a piece titled "The Metrosexual and the Cowboy," correspondent Carl Cameron quoted Kerry telling supporters at a rally in Tampa, Fla.: "Didn't my nails and cuticles look great? What a good debate!"

At another point, Cameron quoted Kerry as saying, "I'm metrosexual — he's a cowboy." "Metrosexual" refers to young, fashion-savvy urban men.

Fox News said the piece was a joke that accidentally ended up on the Web site for a period of time yesterday. The Web site later posted an editor's note apologizing for the piece.

"The item was based on a reporter's partial script that had been written in jest and should not have been posted or broadcast," the note read. "We regret the error, which occurred because of fatigue and bad judgment, not malice."

Fox spokesman Paul Schur said Cameron was "reprimanded," but would not say what discipline he faced.

"Carl Cameron made a stupid mistake, and he has been reprimanded for his lapse in judgment," Schur said.

Asked about the incident, Kerry spokesman David Wade said: "America would be stronger if only George Bush could admit his mistakes as easily."

Reaction from the Kerry campaign was reported by The Associated Press.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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