Media Matters juxtaposes two Time Magazine covers. One was from the edition following the 1994 congressional elections, whereby Republicans gained control of the House of Representatives and the Senate; the other is from the issue published following the 2006 congressional elections, in which Democrats gained control of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

There is rather a monumental difference in character, emotional emphasis, and quality of information on display, in editorial choices made for cover art and headline.