Davis misinformation syndrome: there's something about Brian....

. . .Davis's campaign that can make even the most solid journalist lose sight of simple facts. We saw this in the Austin Daily Herald article, Davis to again challenge Walz, an article based on the premise that Walz had defeated Davis in 2006 (Walz had actually defeated six-term incumbent Gil Gutknecht).

Then the Pioneer Press misreported fundraising figures for Q2 and had to issue this CORRECTION. (The reporter had spent some time with Dick Day and Davis on the campaign trail).

The latest victim of Davis Misinformation Syndrome is Mark Sommerhauser of the Winona Daily News. In today's article, Davis outpaces Day in GOP fundraising, we read:

In March, 1st District delegates gave Davis — a political newcomer — a first-ballot endorsement over Day, an 18-year veteran at the Capitol in St. Paul.

Not true: Davis received a first ballot endorsement over Hayfield's Randy Demmer, a 6-year veteran at the Capitol in St. Paul. In February, Day decided to forgo the district convention and head straight toward the primary in September.

Here at BSP, we've repeatedly documented Davis's own loose relationship with facts.  Now, we see signs  that this disorder may be contagious. Editors: fact check those stories if your staff writers have gotten near this campaign. The journalistic reputation you save may be your own.

Image: When Brian Davis is around, facts fly out the window. Ouch!