Bill Owens running for Congress in NY as a Dem?

NEW YORK - Ahh, the perils of television news graphics libraries. On the Today Show on NBC Tuesday morning, during a story about the congressional race in New York's 23rd District between Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman and Democrat Bill Owens, the graphic on the screen showed a photo of former Colorado Governor and Republican Bill Owens.

After seeing the photo that aired on the Today Show, Owens told 9NEWS:

"I wondered when I saw my own picture, I said 'Why the hell would I want to be a congressman from upstate New York when I've been governor of Colorado... A lot of my friends around the country have been e-mailing and texting me wondering, 'Did you move?' 'Have you lost your mind?' The answer's 'no' to all those things."

Owens went on to say the incident is something he can laugh at.

"The more I've been seeing this impostor named Bill Owens I've been wondering when somebody would make that mistake.... I'm not seeking any more publicity or notoriety, so for a number of reasons, I'm hoping Bill Owens loses this election," Owens added.

A Colorado resident on business in the state of Mississippi saw the goof-up while eating his breakfast in his hotel room.

"Not much of a tip, but might be fun," wrote Tom Russell in an e-mail to 9NEWS. "They showed a picture of our former governor. Assuming he hasn't changed parties and moved, (it's) a major flub on their part."

Others saw the mistake as an opportunity to poke a little fun at the former state executive.

"I guess the baseball tryouts didn't work for him," said Rep. Joel Judd (D-Colorado), of the avid baseball fan/former governor.

"Wow. From Texas to Colorado to New York. He must have gone there for the picante sauce," Rep. Buffie McFadyen (D-Pueblo West).

"There are just so many things wrong with this picture," said Jason Hopfer, one of Owens' former staffers.

Pat Waak, Head of the Colorado Democratic Party liked the idea.

"I think former Governor Owens should switch his party affiliation and run for Congress as a Democrat from New York," Waak said. "While even former Governor Bill Owens of Colorado looks more moderate in the face of Conservative candidate Hoffman, we were surprised to hear that our former chief executive had moved across country and reaffiliated with the Democratic party. I am sure the district is happy to have him."

The head of Colorado's Republican Party chimed in on the gaffe as well.

"Didn't know our former governor was moonlighting in New York," Dick Wadhams, the executive director of the Colorado's GOP. "But since Republicans have disavowed the Republican candidate who then endorsed the Democratic candidate who is headed towards losing, it would make sense the Democrats might embrace a former Republican Governor in the waning hours of the campaign."

Owens' daughter, Monica Owens, reached out to 9NEWS on the social networking site, Facebook, after seeing the story.

"I wish it was my papa running! I think we need him back in office :)" posted Monica Owens.