Yesterday on three separate reports Fox News, its various anchors and reporters told viewers that Rep. Eric Massa, talking with progressives last week at Netroots Nation, had told them he's "vote against the interests of his district" in order to support the single-payer option on health-care reform.

They were, of course, distorting. Massa did at first say he'd vote against his constituents' interests when what he clearly meant was that he'd vote against their popular opinion if that meant protecting their best interests. And he quickly corrected himself to say that.

What the Fox crew was counting on was their ability to confuse viewers over the difference between voting for the popular wishes of one's district and its actual wishes. What Massa said -- quite clearly -- was that he would vote for the public option even if his constituents had the opposite opinion, precisely because it would be in their best interests.

This meme actually originated in the Washington Times, which characterized it the same as Fox: "Rep. Massa: I will vote against the interests of my district."

But look at what Massa actually said:

MASSA: I will vote for the single payer bill. PARTICIPANT: Even if it meant you were being voted out of office? MASSA: I will vote adamantly against the interests of my district if I actually think what I am doing is going to be helpful. PARTICIPANT: You'd vote against their interests, or their opinion? MASSA: I will vote against their opinion if I actually believe it will help them.

Digby posted about Massa's position the other day: