NY Times changes story headline to soften impact on their buddy, President Bush.

[onehandle]

Yesterday the front page headline was:
White House Acts to Limit Health Plan for Children
Link is still there: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/20/washington/21cnd-health.html

Today, same story on front page with this headline:
New Rules May Limit Health Care Program Aiding Children
With new link, same story: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/21/washington/21health.html

Your Liberal Media at work.

[Newsjock]

1. The AP changed a story lead yesterday, too

AP wire, 4:45 p.m. EDT:
ANALYSIS: Democrats wary of being portrayed as defeatists if report shows progress in Iraq
An AP News Analysis
By CHARLES BABINGTON
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats’ political fortunes have soared as Americans have soured on the war in Iraq. Now, with the 2008 election year nearing, some party leaders worry that an upcoming report on the war may slow their momentum.

AP wire, 5:56 p.m. EDT:
ANALYSIS: Democrats wary of being portrayed as defeatists if report shows progress in Iraq
Eds: RECASTS lede to moderate characterization of Democrats’ fortunes.
An AP News Analysis
By CHARLES BABINGTON
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats have benefited politically as Americans have soured on the war in Iraq. Now, with the 2008 election year nearing, some party leaders worry that an upcoming report on the war may slow their momentum.

Perhaps someone was making phone calls yesterday afternoon.

[Demit]

2. meh, I dunno. Could be just an editor didn't like the funky soared/soured echo.

I think this could just be a case of an editor substituting a phrase that in his judgment is better writing.

[roseBudd]

3. two things to consider regarding newsrooms

Reporters don't write the headlines, copy editors do and the print and online product are at odds because they both abhor "widows" which are heads that wrap but only have one word or a couple short words on the second line. What doesn't widow in print, may widow online. Official head would be what appears in print. Online has the ability to do over at any time however.

The second head is longer and may have gotten rid of a widow. Subsequent copy editors often tidy up a page (assuming online) after a story is posted. Indeed with CMS (content management) a human may not get a chance to tidy up until much later