Distinctions

It's important to understand the linguistic nuance that, although Al Franken "got the most votes," we must be very sure not to say he actually "won" the election.

Thank you, AP.

Later: Or maybe this different, longer AP version in the USA today which also goes way out of the way to avoid the appearance if "winning."

Oh, and while I'm bashing the AP,

Still, conspiracy buffs might speculate that Bo was meant for the Obamas all along. Was his adoption engineered to look like a rescue—or at least blur the line to head off criticism that the Obamas had picked a purebred from a breeder?

Because in today's journalism, if you phrase it as a question, you can say anything you want.