Michigan Democrat Haley Stevens endorses Republican Mike Rogers in Senate race

MAGAMore neutral: Republican

MAGA is a movement label coined by supporters and used by critics, and the candidate is simply the Republican nominee.

Haley Stevens turns on Dem Senate nominee and endorses MAGA opponent

Used byRaw Story (Far Left)The Daily Beast (Far Left)

Stunning EndorsementMore neutral: endorsement

Stunning adds drama to a report of an endorsement, which the facts do not require.

Democrat Haley Stevens Issues Stunning Endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate Race

Used byBreitbart News (Far Right)Washington Examiner (Right)

stunningMore neutral: surprising

The word adds drama to a decision the excerpt only describes as surprising.

Left-wing allies of Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed erupted Sunday after the stunning decision by Democratic Rep.

Used byFox News (Far Right)Washington Free Beacon (Far Right)

chaosMore neutral: disagreement

Chaos adds drama beyond the reported disagreement among Democrats.

‘Dumbfounded’: Democrats’ chaos in Michigan exposes party's divides

Used bySemafor (Center)MS NOW (Far Left)

shockedMore neutral: surprised

The word adds drama about the political establishment’s reaction without reporting a measured response.

On Sunday afternoon, Stevens, 46, shocked the political establishment with a video endorsement of former Rep.

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)The Independent (Left)

applaudedMore neutral: praised

Applauded adds warm approval in the outlet’s own voice where a plain report of praise would do.

Haley said what few people are willing to say” President Trump applauded Rep.

Used byJust the News (Far Right)

Parting GiftMore neutral: Haley Stevens Endorses Republican Mike Rogers for Senate

The phrase presents the endorsement as a sneering gesture meant to hurt Democrats, which the reported facts do not establish.

Haley Stevens Gives Dems Parting Gift: An Endorsement For Mike Rogers

Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

Dems Lose ItMore neutral: Democrats react to Stevens endorsement

Describes the reaction in dramatic, emotional terms that the article does not support with specific reactions.

Dems Lose It After Haley Stevens Rejects El-Sayed And Endorses Republican Mike Rogers

Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

leftist MuslimMore neutral: Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed

Labels the candidate by ideology and religion where neither is needed to report the endorsement.

Jim Clyburn (D-SC) and a group of black supporters as the leftist Muslim attempts to make last-minute inroads with Detroit’s large black voting bloc before…

Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

BegsMore neutral: asks

Begs casts a routine request to focus questions as pleading, a judgement the reported words do not carry.

El-Sayed Begs Reporters Not To Ask About Haley Stevens’ Shock Endorsement Of Mike Rogers

Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

Jumps ShipMore neutral: switches endorsement

The idiom frames a party or endorsement switch as desertion, adding a judgement the reported facts do not state.

Trump Praises Haley Stevens After She Jumps Ship And Endorses Mike Rogers

Used byThe Daily Wire (Far Right)

startling developmentMore neutral: notable development

Adds a judgement of surprise that the facts do not require.

Mike Rogers, a startling development in a race that could help decide control of the chamber.

Used byRoll Call (Center)

roiled by Democratic infightingMore neutral: marked by Democratic infighting

The word roiled adds a note of turmoil beyond the reported public clash over the ad.

…during a service, Fox News confirmed — an unusual scene in a Senate race roiled by Democratic infighting.

Used byFox News (Far Right)

extraordinary breakMore neutral: unusual break

Adds a judgement about the significance of the break beyond the reported facts.

…primary in August, endorsed Republican nominee Mike Rogers on Sunday, an extraordinary break with her party two days before an election that could help decide control of…

Used byMS NOW (Far Left)

staff exodusMore neutral: staff resignations

Dramatizes a set of resignations with a word that implies mass departure.

Haley Stevens backs GOP’s Rogers in Michigan Senate race, setting off staff exodus

Used byMS NOW (Far Left)

TurmoilMore neutral: Tensions

The headline describes the race as in turmoil, a dramatic word that goes beyond the reported appearance and tensions.

Turmoil in Michigan's Senate race as Democrat Haley Stevens appears with Republican Mike…

Used byABC News (Left)

unity miracleMore neutral: a last-minute attempt at unity

The phrase makes a modest unity effort sound dramatic and implausible.

Jim Clyburn planned to show up in Detroit and pull off a last-minute unity miracle.

Used byHot Air (Far Right)

arrogantlyMore neutral: told

The adverb asserts El-Sayed's attitude as fact without supporting evidence.

Instead, Abdul El-Sayed arrogantly told both Clyburn and Haley Stevens to pound sand.

Used byHot Air (Far Right)

pound sandMore neutral: rejected

The idiom is a dismissive brush-off that adds contempt to what was reported as a declined invitation.

Instead, Abdul El-Sayed arrogantly told both Clyburn and Haley Stevens to pound sand.

Used byHot Air (Far Right)

more productive use for her timeMore neutral: attended a church service with Rogers instead

The sarcastic phrase passes judgement on Stevens's choice of activity.

Looks like Stevens found a more productive use for her time: Haley Stevens was originally supposed to campaign with Abdul El-Sayed…

Used byHot Air (Far Right)

SnubMore neutral: after she was uninvited from an El-Sayed event

The headline presents the uninvitation as a deliberate slight, a judgement the reported facts do not establish.

NEW: Stevens Appears With Rogers After El-Sayed Snub

Used byHot Air (Far Right)

sealing her ruptureMore neutral: after her split with

Presents the split as final and settled, a conclusion the article does not establish.

…seat, appeared at a church event Sunday with Republican candidate Mike Rogers, sealing her rupture with Democrat Abdul El-Sayed.

Used byBloomberg (Left)

Big MoveMore neutral: Stevens appears with Rogers at church

Dramatizes a church appearance as a major event.

Big Move Plays Out Between Rogers, Stevens at Detroit Church As Cameras Roll (Update: She…

Used byRedState (Far Right)

stunning defectionMore neutral: switch in support

Frames a change of endorsement as betrayal and adds drama.

…with Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers at a Detroit church Sunday in a stunning defection after a massive, public falling-out with Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.

Used byNew York Post (Right)

massive, public falling-outMore neutral: public falling-out

Describes the dispute with an intensifier that the reporting does not establish.

…Mike Rogers at a Detroit church Sunday in a stunning defection after a massive, public falling-out with Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed.

Used byNew York Post (Right)

left-wingMore neutral: Democratic

Attaches an ideological label to the candidate that other outlets do not use.

Stevens lost the Michigan Senate Democratic nomination to left-wing El-Sayed by one percentage point.

Used byNew York Post (Right)

dissedMore neutral: criticized

Slang for snubbed or disrespected adds a judgement about the nominee's remarks.

Haley Stevens, the Democrat dissed by nominee Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's battleground Senate race, stunned her party on…

Used byThe Washington Times (Right)

Black churchMore neutral: church

The racial identity of the church is not tied to anything in the endorsement or the event as reported.

…Sunday by making an appearance with Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers at a Black church in Detroit.

Used byThe Washington Times (Right)

stunning breakMore neutral: break

Adds drama to a break that is reported as a fact.

…Stevens endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in the Michigan Senate race on Sunday — a stunning break with her party that derails Democrats’ attempts to create a united front for Abdul…

Used byPolitico (Left)

derailsMore neutral: complicates

Presents the endorsement as having wrecked the party’s efforts, a judgement beyond the fact of the endorsement.

…Rogers in the Michigan Senate race on Sunday — a stunning break with her party that derails Democrats’ attempts to create a united front for Abdul El-Sayed.

Used byPolitico (Left)

extraordinary rebukeMore neutral: endorsement of the Republican nominee over the party’s candidate

Characterizes the endorsement as an extraordinary rebuke, a judgement about its meaning.

…primary to Abdul El-Sayed, endorsed his Republican rival, Mike Rogers, in an extraordinary rebuke of her party’s nominee on the eve of the midterm elections.

Used byThe Guardian (Left)

stunning political momentMore neutral: notable political moment

Adds drama to a political event without new facts.

The event marks a stunning political moment in Michigan, where control of the seat could be crucial to Democratic party.

Used byThe Guardian (Left)

flipped sidesMore neutral: endorsed the Republican candidate

Frames an endorsement as switching camps, implying disloyalty.

Now, she's flipped sides and endosed the Republican standing against El-Sayed.

Used byDaily Mail (Right)

shock announcementMore neutral: announcement

Labels the announcement as shocking before the reaction is established.

Stevens made the shock announcement on Sunday morning, three months after she lost in a bitter primary battle to…

Used byDaily Mail (Right)

marredMore neutral: that includes Democratic infighting

Judges the campaign as spoiled by infighting rather than describing it.

The unusual scene comes amid a midterms battle in Michigan that is marred with Democratic infighting.

Used byDaily Mail (Right)

civil war explodesMore neutral: Democratic infighting in Michigan

Dramatizes ordinary primary infighting as a war that erupts.

Democratic civil war explodes in Michigan as Haley Stevens ENDORSES Republican rival after attending church…

Used byDaily Mail (Right)

blamed Jews for high pricesMore neutral: linked high prices to U.S. aid to Israel

States as fact a reading of the ad that other outlets describe differently, linking high prices to aid to Israel.

…Detroit, but changed her mind after El-Sayed refused to condemn an ad that blamed Jews for high prices in America.

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

hardline conservativeMore neutral: Republican

The adjective adds a characterization of Rogers's politics that the endorsement itself does not require.

The Democratic congresswoman, 43, announced Sunday that she was backing hardline conservative Mike Rogers, 63, after spending months supporting Abdul El-Sayed following his…

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Dem LoserMore neutral: Democrat who lost primary

The label pre-judges Stevens by her primary result rather than describing her current role.

Dem Loser Abandons Party to Endorse MAGA Senate Candidate

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Abandons PartyMore neutral: Breaks With Party

The phrase presents the endorsement as desertion, a judgement the reported facts do not establish.

Dem Loser Abandons Party to Endorse MAGA Senate Candidate

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

major shake-upMore neutral: change

Adds a judgement of magnitude that the facts do not establish.

Haley Stevens, D-Mich., endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers, a major shake-up in the final stages of a top battleground race that could determine which party…

Used byNBC News (Left)

MAGAMore neutral: Republican

A movement label attached to the candidate that pre-judges him; the description names him only as the Republican Senate candidate.

Dem's staff resigns as she 'sells her soul' to endorse swing state MAGA Senate candidate

Used byRaw Story (Far Left)

dramatic late blowMore neutral: late endorsement

The adjective adds drama to a late endorsement without new facts.

…Mike Rogers in Michigan's closely watched Senate race Sunday, delivering a dramatic late blow to Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed just days before an election that could…

Used byNewsweek (Center)

Muslim SocialistMore neutral: Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed

Labels the candidate by religion and ideology where neither is needed to report the endorsement.

…the political world on Sunday by formally endorsing Republican Mike Rogers over Muslim Socialist Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's Senate contest.

Used byBreitbart News (Far Right)

stunning reversalMore neutral: change of position

Adds a judgement of surprise and drama beyond the reported change of position.

…Stevens, D-Mich., endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers on Sunday, a stunning reversal just two days before Michigan voters decide one of the country’s closely watched…

Used bySalon (Far Left)

sparked uproarMore neutral: drew criticism

Uproar dramatizes the reaction beyond what the reported facts state.

…— even as members of her own party branded her a “traitor.” In a move that sparked uproar, Stevens explicitly endorsed Rogers while in Detroit, going back on her previous…

Used byRaw Story (Far Left)

houndedMore neutral: criticized

Hounded implies persistent harassment, a judgement the coverage does not establish.

Dem hounded as 'traitor' gets glowing Trump endorsement after turning on party

Used byRaw Story (Far Left)

revoltingMore neutral: is upset

Revolting suggests rebellion and disgust, where a neutral report would say the staff is upset.

House Democrat Haley Stevens’ staff is revolting after she unexpectedly endorsed the Republican running against the Democrat who…

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

MAGA candidateMore neutral: Republican candidate

Uses a movement label where the candidate’s party is the neutral description.

Current and former staff are furious after she announced she was backing MAGA candidate Mike Rogers on the eve of the midterm elections.

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

bombshell announcementMore neutral: announcement

Bombshell adds drama to an endorsement announcement.

The bombshell announcement came after she’d spent months supporting Abdul El-Sayed following his August…

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Loser’sMore neutral: Democrat who lost the primary

Loser is a pejorative label for a candidate who lost a primary, and it pre-judges her.

Dem Loser’s Staff Resigns En Masse as She Joins MAGA

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Joins MAGAMore neutral: Endorses Republican Mike Rogers

Describes her endorsement with a movement label that carries a political judgement.

Dem Loser’s Staff Resigns En Masse as She Joins MAGA

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Shock Switch-UpMore neutral: Stevens endorses Republican Mike Rogers

Calls the endorsement a shock before the reaction is described, adding drama to a report of a political endorsement.

Haley Stevens Officially Endorses Republican Mike Rogers In Shock Switch-Up

Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

still somehow lostMore neutral: lost despite outspending

The mocking aside implies a surprise the outspending figure does not establish.

…the onetime Senatorial candidate who outspent Abdul El-Sayed 12 to 1 and still somehow lost the Michigan Democratic primary, endorsed Republican Mike Rogers this…

Used byMother Jones (Far Left)

flipped endorsementsMore neutral: changed endorsements

Flipped implies inconsistency and a pattern, where a neutral report would say she changed her endorsement.

…But whoever’s left on her team did not scrub her X archive as quickly as she’s flipped endorsements.

Used byMother Jones (Far Left)

losing their mindsMore neutral: reacting strongly

The phrase characterizes the reaction with an exaggerated, mocking image.

The Left is losing their minds.

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

despicable betrayalMore neutral: move that critics called a betrayal

The adjective passes a moral verdict on Stevens’s decision.

This is a despicable betrayal from Rep.

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

Complete and Total MeltdownMore neutral: Strong criticism

The phrase presents the reaction of a group as a dramatic collapse rather than describing the reaction itself.

The Left Has a Complete and Total Meltdown Over Haley Stevens Endorsing Mike Rogers

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

AbandonsMore neutral: Backs Republican over

The verb implies a moral failing of loyalty rather than describing the endorsement itself.

Haley Stevens Abandons Fellow Democrats in Opposition to Abdul El-Sayed

Used byMother Jones (Far Left)

rippedMore neutral: criticized

Ripped describes an angry attack in the outlet’s own voice where a plain word for criticism would do.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) ripped Rep.

Used byThe Hill (Center)

spurningMore neutral: instead of attending a unity event with

Spurning implies a deliberate rejection and insult, where the report states that she endorsed another candidate.

Haley Stevens endorses GOP candidate in Michigan Senate race, spurning Abdul El-Sayed

Used byNPR (Left)

shocked observersMore neutral: surprised some observers

The phrase adds drama by describing the reaction of unnamed observers.

…appearance with Rogers at a Detroit church Sunday afternoon, the congresswoman shocked observers by calling on her constituents to vote for the Rogers.

Used byThe Daily Caller (Far Right)

implosionMore neutral: events

The word dramatizes the events of the day.

The implosion began around 11:20 a.m.

Used byMeidasTouch (Far Left)

Blows Up in Her FaceMore neutral: Draws criticism

The idiom asserts a dramatic outcome that the article does not establish as a fact.

Haley Stevens' Rogers Endorsement Blows Up in Her Face as Her Staff Quits and Dems Denounce Her

Used byMeidasTouch (Far Left)

stunning rejectionMore neutral: rejection

The adjective adds drama to a routine political endorsement.

Exhibiting a stunning rejection of leftist Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed, Rep.

Used byReason (Right)

leftistMore neutral: Democratic

The label attaches an ideological judgement to a Democratic nominee.

Exhibiting a stunning rejection of leftist Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed, Rep.

Used byReason (Right)

SpurnsMore neutral: Rejects

The verb presents the endorsement as a scornful rejection rather than a choice of candidate.

Haley Stevens Endorses Mike Rogers, Spurns Leftist Abdul El-Sayed

Used byReason (Right)

eruptedMore neutral: reacted

The verb presents the reaction as an outburst rather than a set of public statements.

Left-wing allies of Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed erupted Sunday after the stunning decision by Democratic Rep.

Used byFox News (Far Right)

bombshellMore neutral: major

The word adds drama to an endorsement that the article itself describes as a surprise decision.

El Sayed's left-wing allies attack 'evil' Stevens after bombshell Rogers endorsement

Used byFox News (Far Right)

Lose Their MindsMore neutral: Democrats criticize Stevens’s endorsement of Rogers

The idiom presents the Democratic reaction as irrational rather than describing the criticism that was made.

Hot Takes: Democrats Lose Their Minds Over Stevens' Endorsement of Rogers

Used byRedState (Far Right)

rippingMore neutral: criticizing

A verb of violent tearing adds drama to a description of criticism.

National and state Democratic leaders are ripping Rep.

Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

shredMore neutral: criticize

A verb of harsh physical attack adds drama beyond the reported criticism.

Democrats shred Haley Stevens after defection to Mike Rogers: ‘Despicable betrayal’

Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

widely seen as antisemiticMore neutral: that Stevens said was antisemitic

The phrase attributes a judgement about the ad to unnamed people without saying who holds it.

…his campaign after she criticized his failure to condemn a pro-El-Sayed ad widely seen as antisemitic.

Used byThe Daily Signal (Far Right)

bigotryMore neutral: quote the statement

Characterizes motive; quote the words.

…to stand up for one minority religious group she is conveying her comfort with bigotry toward another.

Used byThe Atlantic (Left)

stunning last-minute reversalMore neutral: last-minute change

Stunning adds drama to a reported change of position.

In a stunning last-minute reversal, Democratic Rep.

Used byThe Bulwark (Center)

furious reactionMore neutral: strong reaction

Furious characterizes the reaction in emotional terms without specifying what was said or done.

Sam Stein and Lauren Egan discuss the furious reaction from Democrats, the turmoil inside Stevens’ own office, what may have prompted…

Used byThe Bulwark (Center)

Torched Her Political CareerMore neutral: Endorses Republican Mike Rogers

Predicts a career-ending outcome with dramatic language the endorsement itself does not establish.

Haley Stevens Just Torched Her Political Career

Used byThe Bulwark (Center)

AbandoningMore neutral: Leaving

Describes Stevens’ endorsement as abandoning voters, a judgement of motive in the outlet’s own voice.

MI Dem McMorrow: 'Sad, Desperate' Stevens Abandoning ‘Michiganders and Her Constituents'

Used byBreitbart News (Far Right)

handpickedMore neutral: Trump-backed

Describing Rogers as Trump’s handpicked candidate implies a backroom selection that the article does not document.

Haley Stevens, after she endorsed Donald Trump’s handpicked candidate just days before the midterm elections.

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

primary loserMore neutral: former primary rival

The label demeans Stevens by reducing her to her primary result rather than naming her as a former rival.

Abdul El-Sayed said he doesn’t “think about Haley Stevens” after the primary loser endorsed his Republican opponent.

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Twists the KnifeMore neutral: Refuses to acknowledge

The idiom adds drama to a report that El-Sayed has not acknowledged Stevens, which a neutral headline can state plainly.

Dem Twists the Knife After Rival’s MAGA Betrayal

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

MAGA BetrayalMore neutral: endorsement of Republican rival

Calling the endorsement a betrayal pre-judges Stevens’s decision, which the article itself describes as a choice to endorse a Republican.

Dem Twists the Knife After Rival’s MAGA Betrayal

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Melt DownMore neutral: Democrats criticize Stevens’ endorsement

“Melt down” implies an emotional collapse, which goes beyond the reporting that several Democrats criticized the endorsement.

Democrats Melt Down After Haley Stevens Endorses Republican Mike Rogers: 'Despicable Betrayal'

Used byBreitbart News (Far Right)

frighteningMore neutral: difficult

Adds a dramatic judgement to the weekend’s events.

Democrats’ frightening Halloween weekend in Michigan spells even more trouble for party leaders who found…

Used bySemafor (Center)

embarrassingMore neutral: public

Judges the party’s split as embarrassing rather than describing it.

…even more trouble for party leaders who found themselves unable to stave off an embarrassing schism in a must-win Senate race.

Used bySemafor (Center)

surprise defectionMore neutral: endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers

“Defection” casts the endorsement as switching sides and “surprise” adds drama beyond the reported facts.

Stevens’ surprise defection portends more Democratic fights

Used bySemafor (Center)

slammedMore neutral: criticized

A verb of attack that adds drama beyond the criticism the body describes.

Haley Stevens is being slammed by her own party after endorsing the Republican nominee for U.S.

Used byTheGrio (Left)

using Black voters as ‘prop’More neutral: Black leaders said she invoked Black voters to justify the endorsement

States an accusation of exploitation in the outlet’s own voice, while the body attributes it to Black Democratic leaders.

Haley Stevens slammed for using Black voters as ‘prop’ with anti-El Sayed endorsement

Used byTheGrio (Left)

ditchingMore neutral: leaving

Ditching adds a judgement of disloyalty where a neutral verb describes the same act.

Haley Stevens ran away from a press conference after she was questioned about ditching her own party to endorse Donald Trump’s chosen MAGA candidate for Senate.

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

boltedMore neutral: left

Bolted adds a sense of panic to the described departure.

Haley Stevens attempted to address the public but bolted upon being called a “traitor.” Haley Stevens ran away from a press conference after…

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

ran away fromMore neutral: left

Ran away from suggests fleeing in fear where the report describes leaving a press conference.

…to address the public but bolted upon being called a “traitor.” Haley Stevens ran away from a press conference after she was questioned about ditching her own party to…

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

LoserMore neutral: former primary candidate

Calling Stevens a loser in the headline is a contemptuous label in the outlet’s own voice, not a neutral description.

Dem Loser Flees as GOP Endorsement Backfires

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

FleesMore neutral: Leaves

Flees implies fear or cowardice where the reported act is leaving a press event.

Dem Loser Flees as GOP Endorsement Backfires

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

BackfiresMore neutral: Draws criticism

Backfires asserts a political outcome as fact in the outlet’s own voice.

Dem Loser Flees as GOP Endorsement Backfires

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

attackingMore neutral: criticizing

Attacking presents Pelosi’s criticism as hostile in the outlet’s own voice.

By Sunday, Pelosi was attacking Rep.

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

AttackedMore neutral: Criticized

Attacked presents Pelosi’s criticism of Stevens as hostile before the reader reaches the content.

Pelosi Called His Israel Views ‘Wrong,’ but Then Attacked Stevens for Rejecting Him

Used byPJ Media (Far Right)

embarrassing schismMore neutral: public split

Embarrassing adds a judgement of the party’s conduct that the facts do not establish.

Democratic party leaders have found themselves unable to stave off an embarrassing schism in Michigan’s must-win Senate race, a crisis that may offer a glimpse of…

Used bySemafor (Center)

treacherousMore neutral: change of position

“Treacherous” condemns the endorsement as disloyal, a judgement the article does not support with evidence.

Haley Stevens’ friend and former roommate has hinted that her treacherous change of heart was likely influenced by her soon-to-be hubby.

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

blastedMore neutral: criticized

“Blasted” adds force beyond reporting that a former colleague criticized Stevens.

Susan Wild, a former Pennsylvania congresswoman, blasted her ex-colleague after she turned coat to endorse GOP Michigan Senate candidate Mike…

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

turned coatMore neutral: endorsed

“Turned coat” casts the endorsement as disloyalty rather than describing it.

…Wild, a former Pennsylvania congresswoman, blasted her ex-colleague after she turned coat to endorse GOP Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers in a shocking reversal on…

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

shocking reversalMore neutral: change in endorsement

“Shocking” adds drama to a political endorsement that the article reports without evidence of shock.

…after she turned coat to endorse GOP Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers in a shocking reversal on Sunday.

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Dem Loser’sMore neutral: Friend of Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens

“Loser” is a derogatory label that pre-judges Stevens beyond the fact that she lost a primary.

Dem Loser’s Roommate Reveals Romance Twist Behind GOP Betrayal

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Romance TwistMore neutral: Friend suggests personal relationship

“Romance Twist” adds drama to a personal claim the excerpt presents only as a friend’s hint.

Dem Loser’s Roommate Reveals Romance Twist Behind GOP Betrayal

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

GOP BetrayalMore neutral: endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers

“Betrayal” asserts a judgement about the endorsement that the article does not establish.

Dem Loser’s Roommate Reveals Romance Twist Behind GOP Betrayal

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

display of dysfunctionMore neutral: public infighting

Display of dysfunction is an evaluative label for a political dispute.

DETROIT — Michigan Democrats on Sunday faced an extraordinary political display of dysfunction just two days before the midterm elections: a Democratic congresswoman…

Used byWashington Examiner (Right)

field dayMore neutral: Trump praises Haley Stevens’ endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers

The phrase presents Trump’s reaction as a triumph and adds drama beyond the statements the article reports.

Trump has field day with Haley Stevens’ ‘brave’ flip against Abdul El-Sayed

Used byThe Independent (Left)

MAGA Senate candidateMore neutral: Republican Senate candidate

Uses an activist label for Rogers that carries a judgement about his politics.

Haley Stevens' (D-MI) endorsement of MAGA Senate candidate Mike Rogers not only injected new uncertainties into the Michigan Senate race,…

Used byRaw Story (Far Left)

rockedMore neutral: endorsed

Presents the endorsement as a dramatic shock to the party, which the reported facts do not require.

Stevens rocked the Democratic Party on Sunday when she endorsed Rogers, a move that led multiple…

Used byRaw Story (Far Left)

bitter outrageMore neutral: criticism

Describes the reaction in strong terms without saying who expressed it.

…Rogers, a move that led multiple staffers to resign from her office and sparked bitter outrage among some political analysts.

Used byRaw Story (Far Left)

did the unthinkableMore neutral: endorsed

The phrase adds drama and judgement to a reported endorsement.

In the days before Haley Stevens did the unthinkable and endorsed Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s fiercely contested Senate…

Used byNew York Magazine (Far Left)

jump shipMore neutral: switch sides

Jump ship frames a party switch as desertion.

…contested Senate race, her staff and Democratic leaders were imploring her not to jump ship.

Used byNew York Magazine (Far Left)

SabotageMore neutral: Endorsement

Sabotage asserts an intent to harm the party, which the reporting does not establish.

Haley Stevens’s Sabotage Mission

Used byNew York Magazine (Far Left)

antisemitic adMore neutral: ad she said was offensive

Calling the ad antisemitic states a contested characterization as fact in the outlet’s own voice.

She had been trying to get Democrat nominee Abdul El-Sayed to denounce an antisemitic ad about Israel being responsible for grocery prices here that had been put out by a…

Used byRedState (Far Right)

DisgustingMore neutral: Controversial

Disgusting is a moral judgement of the party chair’s action rather than a description of it.

MI Dem Party Chair's Disgusting Move Against Haley Stevens - So Much for That 'Big Tent'

Used byRedState (Far Right)

shockinglyMore neutral: publicly

Shockingly adds drama to a reported announcement.

Congresswoman Haley Stevens has been kicked out of the Democratic Party after she shockingly announced on Sunday she was endorsing Abdul El-Sayed's Republican rival in the US…

Used byDaily Mail (Right)

courageMore neutral: decision to switch endorsements

The word presents the switch as courageous, which is a value judgement rather than a plain description of the act.

…by reversing her endorsement of Abdul El-Sayed, she is showing exactly the kind of courage moderate Democrats once cheered, writes James Kirchick.

Used byThe Free Press (Right)

unanimously condemnedMore neutral: criticized

Condemned adds moral judgement to what the cited figures said about the endorsement.

The Democratic Party’s most powerful and influential figures unanimously condemned Rep.

Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

TraitorMore neutral: Haley Stevens endorses Republican Mike Rogers

Calling a person a traitor is a contemptible label applied in the outlet’s own voice, before any finding of disloyalty.

Establishment Democrats And Progressives Can Agree On 1 Thing: Haley Stevens Is A Traitor

Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

fierce criticismMore neutral: criticism

The adjective adds drama to the criticism without giving its content or extent.

…Mike Rogers in Michigan's Senate race, weighing in after Democrats unleashed fierce criticism of the congresswoman's decision.

Used byThe Washington Times (Right)

celebratesMore neutral: praises

The verb presents Trump’s praise as celebration, adding enthusiasm beyond what the reporting describes.

Trump celebrates Haley Stevens' 'very brave' endorsement of Mike Rogers in Michigan Senate race

Used byThe Washington Times (Right)

angrily relitigatingMore neutral: debating again

Angrily characterizes the mood of the Democrats in the writer’s own voice rather than reporting what they did.

Democrats in Michigan spent the weekend before Election Day angrily relitigating their Senate primary from months earlier after a defeated candidate, Rep.

Used byVox (Far Left)

bitter personal feudMore neutral: personal dispute

Bitter adds an emotional judgement that the event itself, a public endorsement and the reactions to it, does not require.

The bitter personal feud that could imperil a key Senate race for Democrats

Used byVox (Far Left)

implodedMore neutral: fell apart

Imploded asserts a total collapse, while the reported facts describe a reversal of endorsement and a public split.

How an attempt at Democratic unity in Michigan imploded

Used byCNN (Left)

spewed angerMore neutral: expressed anger

Spewed is a vivid verb that frames the Democrats’ reaction as abusive rather than reported.

Democrats spewed anger over the move by Stevens, who joined Rogers at a...

Used byThe Hill (Center)

are furiousMore neutral: have criticized

It states a group’s emotional state as fact without attributing it to named sources.

Democrats are furious at Rep.

Used byCBS News (Left)

MadnessMore neutral: Democratic reaction in Michigan

The word “Madness” describes the reaction in Michigan as chaos instead of reporting what people said or did.

Madness in Michigan after Democratic Rep.

Used byCBS News (Left)

skeweredMore neutral: questioned

The verb implies a harsh attack rather than reporting that voters questioned the move.

Voters have skewered Michigan Rep.

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

stunning switchMore neutral: switch

The adjective adds drama to the endorsement change.

Haley Stevens after her stunning switch to support a MAGA rival.

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

shocking turn of eventsMore neutral: change of position

The phrase adds drama to an endorsement change that is reported as fact.

In a shocking turn of events, the 43-year-old Democratic Michigan congresswoman endorsed MAGA Republican…

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

EviscerateMore neutral: Criticize

The verb implies a severe, personal beating rather than reporting what voters said.

Voters Eviscerate Dem Loser in Blistering CNN Interviews

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

BlisteringMore neutral: Critical

The adjective adds drama to the interviews without describing their content.

Voters Eviscerate Dem Loser in Blistering CNN Interviews

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

most bizarreMore neutral: unusual

The adjective is the outlet’s own judgement of the interview and is not a neutral description of it.

Haley Stevens (D-MI) gave one of the most bizarre interviews to Anderson Cooper of CNN.

Used byRaw Story (Far Left)

defectionMore neutral: endorsement

Defection presumes a betrayal of loyalty, a judgement the description states as fact.

Haley Stevens’ sudden defection to his MAGA opponent’s camp.

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

BonkersMore neutral: Large

An informal exclamation that signals reaction rather than stating the size of the amount raised.

Dem Raises Bonkers Amount After Rival’s MAGA Betrayal

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

MAGA BetrayalMore neutral: Trump-backed opponent

The MAGA label and the word betrayal assert disloyalty and frame the endorsement as a moral wrong in the outlet’s own voice.

Dem Raises Bonkers Amount After Rival’s MAGA Betrayal

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

avoided offering specificsMore neutral: did not offer specifics

“Avoided” implies intent; the same facts can be stated as not offering specifics.

The Michigan Democrat was pressed repeatedly in a CNN interview, but avoided offering specifics.

Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

struggled to explainMore neutral: was asked to explain

“Struggled” presents her answer as a failure rather than describing what she said.

Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) on Sunday struggled to explain why she made a shock endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers in the Michigan…

Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

Struggles To Provide Direct ExplanationMore neutral: Stevens Does Not Give Direct Explanation For Switch On Rogers

“Struggles” implies a failure to explain that the interview itself does not establish; the headline could simply report that she gave no direct explanation.

Stevens Struggles To Provide Direct Explanation For Her About Face On Rogers

Used byHuffPost (Far Left)

roastedMore neutral: criticized

“Roasted” implies mockery beyond the criticism reported.

Former Bill Clinton strategist James Carville has roasted Michigan Rep.

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

unleashed atMore neutral: criticized

“Unleashed at” suggests an angry attack rather than criticism.

The veteran Democratic strategist unleashed at Haley Stevens.

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Melts DownMore neutral: Criticizes

“Melts down” describes an emotional collapse the article does not show and frames Carville’s remarks as an outburst.

James Carville Melts Down at Dem Loser for Switching Sides

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

this crapMore neutral: this claim

Insults the people who used the phrase instead of describing what was said.

‘Country over party’ — how many times did you hear this crap from anti-Trump Republicans and Democrats throughout the Trump era?

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

panicky anti-Trump GOP trashMore neutral: Republican critics of Trump

Reduces Republicans who criticized Trump to contemptible trash, an insult rather than a description.

It’s usually a line peddled by panicky anti-Trump GOP trash, losers upset that 45/47 ended their gravy train.

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

losersMore neutral: critics

Labels critics as losers, an insult rather than a description of their position.

It’s usually a line peddled by panicky anti-Trump GOP trash, losers upset that 45/47 ended their gravy train.

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

Blew UpMore neutral: Challenged

Presents the endorsement as having destroyed a Democratic slogan, a judgement rather than an account of the event.

Haley Stevens' Endorsement of Rogers Blew Up the Dems' 'Country Over Party' Schtick

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

SchtickMore neutral: slogan

Dismisses the Democrats’ slogan as a gimmick without evidence.

Haley Stevens' Endorsement of Rogers Blew Up the Dems' 'Country Over Party' Schtick

Used byTownhall (Far Right)

stunning U-turnMore neutral: reversal

The adjective adds drama to the reversal without adding facts about it.

The stunning U-turn has sparked fury across the Democratic Party, with senior lawmakers condemning…

Used byDaily Mail (Right)

sparked furyMore neutral: drew criticism from (name who)

Outrage from whom? Name the critics and their number.

The stunning U-turn has sparked fury across the Democratic Party, with senior lawmakers condemning Stevens, members of…

Used byDaily Mail (Right)

struggles to explainMore neutral: is asked to explain

The headline frames Stevens’s answers as a failure, while the body describes what she said in the interview.

Haley Stevens struggles to explain what sparked decision to support El-Sayed's opponent amid Democrat pile-on

Used byDaily Mail (Right)

Democrat pile-onMore neutral: criticism from Democrats

The phrase dramatizes criticism from Democrats as a dogpile rather than describing who criticized her.

…struggles to explain what sparked decision to support El-Sayed's opponent amid Democrat pile-on

Used byDaily Mail (Right)

shook Michigan's Senate raceMore neutral: raised new questions in Michigan's Senate race

The verb adds drama by describing the endorsement as shaking the race.

A high-profile Democratic defection shook Michigan's Senate race on the eve of US midterm elections as Representative Haley Stevens threw…

Used byFrance 24 (Center)

stuns partyMore neutral: endorses Republican candidate

The word presents the reaction as a dramatic shock rather than reporting the endorsement itself.

Michigan Democrat stuns party to back Republican candidate in critical Senate race

Used byFrance 24 (Center)

astonishingMore neutral: notable

The adjective tells readers how to feel about the act rather than reporting what it was.

…nominee Mike Rogers, the four-term congresswoman carried out one of the most astonishing acts of political mutiny in modern Senate history.

Used byThe Independent (Left)

political mutinyMore neutral: a break with her party

Mutiny implies a violent or illegal revolt by subordinates, which overstates a party member endorsing a rival candidate.

…the four-term congresswoman carried out one of the most astonishing acts of political mutiny in modern Senate history.

Used byThe Independent (Left)

public snipingMore neutral: public criticism

“Sniping” characterizes the earlier criticism with a judgement about tone rather than describing what was said.

The endorsement, which followed days of public sniping and behind-the-scenes posturing, marked a stunning turn in a race that could…

Used byMS NOW (Far Left)

stunning turnMore neutral: unexpected turn

“Stunning” adds drama to an endorsement that the excerpt describes factually as a surprise.

…which followed days of public sniping and behind-the-scenes posturing, marked a stunning turn in a race that could determine control of the Senate.

Used byMS NOW (Far Left)

fierce backlashMore neutral: strong criticism

“Fierce” adds an intensity judgement to the criticism that the article does not quantify.

…endorsement of Mike Rogers, a Republican Senate candidate, has sparked fierce backlash from members of her party.

Used byThe Guardian (Left)

incensedMore neutral: angry

“Incensed” describes the anger of Democrats with more heat than the article’s reporting of their statements supports.

‘A despicable betrayal’: Democrats incensed by Haley Stevens’ endorsement of Mike Rogers

Used byThe Guardian (Left)

condemnMore neutral: criticize

Condemn presents the criticism in the outlet’s own voice as a moral verdict rather than reporting that Democrats criticized the endorsement.

Democrats condemn Haley Stevens’ ‘betrayal’ following endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers – US…

Used byThe Guardian (Left)

widespread condemnationMore neutral: criticism from Democratic colleagues, including named officials where available

The excerpt does not name the colleagues who criticized Stevens, so the scale of the criticism is asserted without a named source.

…Stevens gave her last-minute backing to Republican Mike Rogers, sparking widespread condemnation from her Democratic colleagues.

Used byBBC News (Center)

defects from partyMore neutral: breaks with party to endorse

Defects implies disloyalty or desertion, while the other outlets describe the same act as a switch or breaking away.

US Midterms: Michigan Democrat Haley Stevens defects from party

Used byFrance 24 (Center)

an unexpected boostMore neutral: a boost for Republicans in

The phrase characterizes the endorsement’s effect as a surprising gain for one party rather than stating the event.

…Republican Mike Rogers on Sunday, giving President Donald Trump's Republicans an unexpected boost in a critical US Senate race two days before midterm elections that will decide…

Used byFrance 24 (Center)

Major twistMore neutral: Democrat endorses Republican in Michigan Senate race

The phrase labels the development as dramatic before its significance is established.

WATCH: Major twist in Michigan Senate race as Trump campaigns in GOP strongholds

Used byABC News (Left)

panickingMore neutral: concerned

The word describes Democrats’ state of mind in dramatic terms without direct evidence in the excerpt.

In a move that has left her fellow Democrats panicking, Stevens delivered El-Sayed's Republican opponent Mike Rogers a big gift on Sunday:…

Used byTheBlaze (Far Right)

ugly meltdownsMore neutral: angry reactions

The phrase characterizes Democrats’ reactions with a loaded adjective and an emotional label.

…trailing by several points, this move has prompted praise from Republicans and ugly meltdowns among Democrats, including Sen.

Used byTheBlaze (Far Right)

Tantrums galore!More neutral: Democrats criticize Stevens’ endorsement

The headline mocks Democrats with a dismissive exclamation rather than describing their reaction neutrally.

Tantrums galore! Democrats crash out over Rep.

Used byTheBlaze (Far Right)

crash outMore neutral: react angrily

The idiom suggests an uncontrolled emotional outburst rather than a measured reaction.

Democrats crash out over Rep.

Used byTheBlaze (Far Right)

betrayalMore neutral: endorsement of the Republican candidate

The word casts Stevens’ endorsement as a betrayal, a judgement of loyalty rather than a description of the act.

Haley Stevens' last-minute 'betrayal'

Used byTheBlaze (Far Right)

extraordinary U-turnMore neutral: change of position

The phrase adds drama to a change of position without adding facts.

Then, on Sunday, she made an extraordinary U-turn, coming out in favor of the MAGA candidate.

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

desperate failed peace missionMore neutral: effort to change her mind

The phrase characterizes a private effort with emotional adjectives and a judgement of failure.

A desperate failed peace mission preceded Haley Stevens’ stunning election defection.

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

stunning election defectionMore neutral: endorsement of the Republican candidate

The phrase uses dramatic adjectives to describe the endorsement.

A desperate failed peace mission preceded Haley Stevens’ stunning election defection.

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

Secret ChaosMore neutral: Behind-the-scenes efforts before endorsement reported

The headline uses dramatic nouns to suggest disorder behind closed doors.

Secret Chaos Before Dem Loser’s MAGA Endorsement Revealed

Used byThe Daily Beast (Far Left)

leading some to accuseMore neutral: Some Democrats accused Stevens of

The phrase attributes the accusation to unnamed people.

…Michigan Democrats' Senate primary to El-Sayed in a bitterly contested race, leading some to accuse her of sour grapes.

Used byFrance 24 (Center)

Sour grapes?More neutral: Democrats react to Stevens endorsement

The phrase dismisses Stevens’ motives as petty resentment, which is a judgement about her reasons.

Sour grapes? Dems shocked as Haley Stevens breaks ranks

Used byFrance 24 (Center)

Dems shockedMore neutral: Democrats criticize

The word adds emotional drama to the reaction of Democrats.

Dems shocked as Haley Stevens breaks ranks

Used byFrance 24 (Center)