# Chickenshit tv coverage of election night (a rant and a question) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 2, 2004, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464 "2004-11-02T01:02:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/21 "2004-11-02T03:25:36Z")
What are the drinking rules? A shot per “battleground state” being called? Everybody drinks on ‘touchscreen’, ‘litigious’, or ‘supreme court’. And every time Tim Russert breaks out his little board or Dan Rather comes up with a folksy saying. I like all of these. Some of us who are breaking out new bottles for the occasion may just try to keep it simple and go for the words _Bush_ and _Kerry_. You know, easy to remember. ---
**Author:** ![smartini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/22d042/32.png) [@smartini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smartini)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/22 "2004-11-02T03:27:41Z")
> [@John Carter of Mars](#): > > Question: When did this early voting craze start? Before this year I’d only heard of absentee and election day voting. Who decided it is legal? Etc. By state by state approval starting sometime in the '90s. I think TN started it as a better form of allowing absentee balloting and then other states followed suit. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/23 "2004-11-02T03:34:30Z")
> [@](#): > > **Gorillaman** : But seriously, is there any evidence that there was anything that happened in the panhandle that would have affected things? (And particularly if they were pro-Gore, why did nobody mention them at the time?) (And if they were pro-Bush, stop your griping, he stole it anyway…) It _was_ discussed at the time. Apparently more than just a couple of us remember it. A lot of voters complained that they just stayed home once they heard that Gore had already won. (I can see why that would discourage a tired working person from going to the trouble of waiting in line to vote on a hopeless cause.) But there was nothing that could be done legally since it was their own choice not to vote. They were not denied the privilege. I’m complaining because it discourages voters\*\*.\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Merkwurdigliebe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/74df32/32.png) [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/24 "2004-11-02T04:02:07Z")
[http://www.thegreenpapers.com/G04/closing.phtml?format=mc](http://www.thegreenpapers.com/G04/closing.phtml?format=mc) This website lists the poll-closing times in the order that they close. Florida closes at 7PM EST, for instance. Now, whether people will be done voting by then is another question, but I imagine that it should be wrapped up around 10, no? But we’ll get plenty of information about turnout by then, which should probably be telling. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/25 "2004-11-02T04:23:14Z")
> [@Zoe](#): > > What are the drinking rules?\ > > I like all of these. Some of us who are breaking out new bottles for the occasion may just try to keep it simple and go for the words _Bush_ and _Kerry_. You know, easy to remember. You’re gonna toss one back every time somebody says “Bush” or “Kerry”? Girl, you ain’t gonna make it to the nine pm commercials… I got a new bottle of Jack Daniels for my birthday but I don’t know if I’m willing to waste it on something as droll as an election. Me and ol’ Fred are planning to run some trotlines for catfish up on the Tallapoosa River Friday night. Maybe I’ll save it for then. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/26 "2004-11-02T04:31:05Z")
How about a bump everytime they say a state is “too close to call?” ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/27 "2004-11-02T05:51:57Z")
“Too close to call”? You’ll be in an alcoholic coma by the end of the 6 o’clock news. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/28 "2004-11-02T14:09:20Z")
> [@Neurotik](#): > > It was brought up lots of times immediately after the election. Then you should be more aware of the facts. > [@](#): > > The Florida panhandle is pretty Republican and it’s an hour behind the rest of Florida. The networks called Florida for Gore before the polls had closed in the panhandle By eleven minutes. > [@](#): > > and I believe that turnout depressed after that. The number of people found who claim to have been fooled by it totals one (1). ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/29 "2004-11-02T15:29:56Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Then you should be more aware of the facts. > > By eleven minutes. > > The number of people found who claim to have been fooled by it totals one (1). Wow. You’re willing to credit the idea that minorities are scared away from polling places by a false rumor that bill collectors will be there, but here, you’re holding voters strictly accountable? Fascinating. FWIW, I think that Florida voters too stupid to continue to vote even after their state was “called” by the networks don’t deserve to vote. You see, my standards of accountability do not wax and wane depending on who benefits, unlike Elvis “Cui bono” L1ves. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/30 "2004-11-02T15:43:55Z")
What the fuck are you talking about? **Neurotik** suggested that the early FL call kept people away from the polls in perhaps enough numbers to affect the outcome. The fact was that it did not. Ultra clear now? Besides, nothing stopped that one (1) voter from showing up anyway, nor was there any concerted effort to dissuade him. Your attempts to deny any possible unethical conduct on the part of your chosen party, while projecting onto the rest of us, are becoming hysterical - in both major senses of the word. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/31 "2004-11-02T15:51:23Z")
Were I King of the World, all exit polls would be banned and any media outlet announcing any results at all before the polls closed in Hawaii and Alaska would have both the offending reporter/news anchor and the outlet’s CEO stripped to their underwear, painted blue, and forced to stand by the side of Interstate 80 for a week wearing a dunce cap and a sign reading “I AM A BUG-EATING MORON”. Of course, were I King of the World I’d not fuss with the whole pesky election thing anyway, so I suppose it’s a moot point. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/32 "2004-11-02T15:53:09Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Of course, were I King of the World I’d not fuss with the whole pesky election thing anyway, so I suppose it’s a moot point. I would. I’d want one of those plebiscites with a 99.9999% approval rate to put upon my mantle. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/33 "2004-11-02T16:12:33Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > FWIW, I think that Florida voters too stupid to continue to vote even after their state was “called” by the networks don’t deserve to vote. Jesus, I actually agree with you on something. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/34 "2004-11-02T17:51:02Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > What the fuck are you talking about? **Neurotik** suggested that the early FL call kept people away from the polls in perhaps enough numbers to affect the outcome. The fact was that it did not. Ultra clear now? OK. It’s all irrelevent anyway since none of the votes wound up mattering in Florida. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/35 "2004-11-02T18:08:30Z")
> [@This Year's Model](#): > > I would. I’d want one of those plebiscites with a 99.9999% approval rate to put upon my mantle. I’ve always wondered who that one voter was who ruled against the President for Life – and what happened after the votes were counted. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Svinlesha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/22d042/32.png) [@Mr.Svinlesha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Svinlesha)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/36 "2004-11-02T21:20:15Z")
**Dio** : Keep up with the latest inside info over at the [Daily Kos](http://www.dailykos.com/). The first exit polls, by the way, lean heavily in favor of Kerry. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/37 "2004-11-02T21:38:43Z")
You can get the same information at [Slate](http://slate.msn.com/id/2109053/), which may be a more palatable source to some folks :). Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/38 "2004-11-02T21:46:14Z")
I’m confused. Are the networks not calling a particular state until all the polls are closed _in that state_ or are they not calling _any_ state until _every poll in every state_ is closed? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/39 "2004-11-02T21:49:01Z")
> [@Mr. Svinlesha](#): > > **Dio** : > > Keep up with the latest inside info over at the [Daily Kos](http://www.dailykos.com/). > > The first exit polls, by the way, lean heavily in favor of Kerry. I’m way ahead of you, [Svin\*\*. I’ve been all over Daily Kos like Michael Jackson on a cub scout…Slate as well. I’m still too afraid to get my hopes up but at least there’s a glimmer…there’s a glimmer. This must be how Red Sox fans felt at around game six of the world Series. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Svinlesha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/22d042/32.png) [@Mr.Svinlesha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Svinlesha)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2004, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464/40 "2004-11-02T21:49:03Z")
[X](http://slate.msn.com/id/2109053/) marks the spot. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chickenshit-tv-coverage-of-election-night-a-rant-and-a-question/272464.md?page=3)