Want to take a survey?

All right. I’m sending this out as an email, as well, but I figured that I may as well post it here. If you guys want to help me out with this (hint, hint), it would be super-appreciated - especially if you then pass it on to someone else. Thus:

I’m working on a research paper for school (as I go into my senior year of high school) on the media coverage of the 2000 US Presidential election (the recounts, and such, not the campaign). Essentially, I’m contrasting the way foreign media sources handled it with how it was handled here in the US. As I was in New Jersey and not in any other country at the time, I was hoping you could take a few minutes to fill out this survey, and send it back to me. If you don’t wish to, I would appreciate it if you could at least pass it on to someone else. American perspectives are just as welcome as international.

  1. In what country do you live? Please also say if you have lived in any other countries.

  2. Did you follow the US Presidential campaign in 2000? If you wish to answer, which (if any) candidate did you support? If you are American, would you classify yourself as a democrat, republican, or other (please explain)?

  3. Did you follow the election day (7 November 2000) events, such as exit polls?

  4. When you first heard the results of the election, when did you hear them and what did you hear (e.g., Bush won, Gore won, etc). Where did you get this information? If you remember the name of the publication, news station, etc, please say.

  5. In reference to #4, what was your initial reaction to the news?

  6. Did you follow the recount process (through 11 December 2000)?

  7. What were your thoughts about the recount and supreme court deliberations? What did you sense from those around you? Who did you think was the true winner of the election?

  8. If outside the US: Did you think/worry about the impact of the stalemate (and eventual outcome) on your country?
    If within the US: Did you think/worry about the international reaction to the election/stalemate/recount?

  9. What was your reaction and where did you find out about the final Supreme Court decision?

  10. Were there any issues not addressed in this survey you feel were important during that time period? If so, please share.

Thank you very much for your time and participation! If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please email me at oddTKD@yahoo.com. Furthermore, if you have any newspaper clippings, videos of news broadcasts, or other original media from the election period that you feel were influential in your region, please email me with the details. Again, thank you for your time.

  1. American. No, unless one semester in Spain counts.

  2. Yes. Supported Gore (reluctantly). Would describe myself as an independent whose views are somewhere to the left of both major parties.

  3. Yes – watched TV most of the evening.

  4. The first call I heard was for Gore. Not sure of the network.

  5. Can’t remember, except that I was happy about it. Probably opened another beer, may have called my parents at Dem headquarters in Virginia (my dad was running for Congress at the time – we all knew he wouldn’t win, so I remember trying to wait until there was some good news before calling). I do know that the networks had retracted that first call by the time I went to bed that night, and I remember being totally shocked at the fact that nobody had declared a winner by morning.

  6. On and off, yes.

  7. I didn’t know what to think then, and I don’t now.

  8. Not really – although I was dating a guy who lived in England at the time, and I remember asking him what sort of odds they were offering at the betting shop and debating whether I wanted to ask him to put 25 pounds on Bush for me. Should’ve done it, dammit.

  9. Quiet resignation. I don’t remember when and where I found out.

Hope this helps; I’m afraid my characteristic apathy about political matters is showing.

No.
Oh, damn.

First off, if it matters, I’m not old enough to vote. That being said…

  1. United States
  2. I followed it somewhat. I was taking Civics at the time, so it was a big discussion topic.
  3. Definately followed the Floridians-not-being-able-to-vote part. :wink:
  4. I don’t remember.
  5. N/A
  6. Yes
  7. Gore
  8. N/A
  9. What was your reaction and where did you find out about the final Supreme Court decision?
  1. In what country do you live? Please also say if you have lived in any other countries.

I have lived primarily in the US since my birth. I have not been in a foreign country since 1995.

  1. Did you follow the US Presidential campaign in 2000? If you wish to answer, which (if any) candidate did you support? If you are American, would you classify yourself as a democrat, republican, or other (please explain)?

I followed the campaign, but not with the rigor that some of the GDers did;) I didn’t support either candidate, but I think I’d have been happier with Gore in office than Bush (for what little that may be worth). I do not classify myself as either democrat or republican, though I identify myself more with the former than the latter.

  1. Did you follow the election day (7 November 2000) events, such as exit polls?

Yes. With great worry and much desperation at the end.

  1. When you first heard the results of the election, when did you hear them and what did you hear (e.g., Bush won, Gore won, etc). Where did you get this information? If you remember the name of the publication, news station, etc, please say.

I thought that Bush would probably end up president that night. I figured there was no way Florida would end up Gore’s, though I wish I had been wrong there. I had been watching CNN for quite some time, I think.

  1. In reference to #4, what was your initial reaction to the news?

“Oh please let this not actually happen”. Except with different language, seeing as this isn’t the pit;)

  1. Did you follow the recount process (through 11 December 2000)?

Yes, but before long I came to the (perhaps uneducated, perhaps cynical) conclusion that it was going to take more than a recount to get Gore into office.

  1. What were your thoughts about the recount and supreme court deliberations? What did you sense from those around you? Who did you think was the true winner of the election?

I sensed that those in charge wanted Bush to win. I mean, truly, honestly, that’s the impression I got. I still don’t know who the true winner was, but there are a lot of people who lost, I know that much.

  1. If within the US: Did you think/worry about the international reaction to the election/stalemate/recount?

Honestly, not really. I figured if anyone was going to seriously make fun of the US for one blunder in how many years of elections? They’d better have an airtight government.

  1. What was your reaction and where did you find out about the final Supreme Court decision?

I think I found out about it on the SDMB. I was displeased to sya the least, but I think I saw it coming a while before.

  1. Were there any issues not addressed in this survey you feel were important during that time period? If so, please share.

The place a person lives might play a role in how they perceived that giant mess. FTR, I was living near DC at the time.

*1. In what country do you live? Please also say if you have lived in any other countries. *
US, and not applicable.

2. Did you follow the US Presidential campaign in 2000? If you wish to answer, which (if any) candidate did you support? If you are American, would you classify yourself as a democrat, republican, or other (please explain)?
Yes, Gore (sigh…), independent.

*3. Did you follow the election day (7 November 2000) events, such as exit polls? *
Definitely.

4. When you first heard the results of the election, when did you hear them and what did you hear (e.g., Bush won, Gore won, etc). Where did you get this information? If you remember the name of the publication, news station, etc, please say.
I “heard” them on my web browser early the following morning, after giving up on a final call at something like 2 or 3 in the morning. CNN, USA Today, and a half dozen other sites. They had reversed their first call on Florida (for Gore) late in the evening, and by early morning had put Florida in Bush’s column, on the basis of which Gore had indicated that he would concede.

5. In reference to #4, what was your initial reaction to the news?
“Oh God. We actually elected that turnip?”

6. Did you follow the recount process (through 11 December 2000)?
Daily.

7. What were your thoughts about the recount and supreme court deliberations? What did you sense from those around you? Who did you think was the true winner of the election?
God what a mess. Impossible to make a clean separation between partisan activity and attempts to objectively sort out the situation. Comical, really. I did hold out hope that somehow, maybe, a clear victory for Gore in Florida might emerge from this. In the long run, the margin of victory was less than the margin of error, and a trillion recounts won’t change that: we don’t know who won except as a consequence of the Supreme Court. They, meanwhile, stumbled around as awkwardly as possible and issued a poorly worded / poorly defended ruling and added to the comedy-of-errors atmosphere.

8. If outside the US: Did you think/worry about the impact of the stalemate (and eventual outcome) on your country?
Not applicable

If within the US: Did you think/worry about the international reaction to the election/stalemate/recount?
Not so much. I paid more attention to the international expression of bewilderment and horror that the US had apparently put George W Bush at the helm. I guess I was aware that in many countries people were laughing at the US and, well, it was pretty funny!

9. What was your reaction and where did you find out about the final Supreme Court decision?
See above. They had to rule something and no matter what they did someone was going to shout “foul”, but they sure didn’t handle it with elegance and decorum.

*10. Were there any issues not addressed in this survey you feel were important during that time period? If so, please share. *
Not really.

1. In what country do you live? Please also say if you have lived in any other countries.

Currently in Hong Kong. Lived in Spain as a child.

2. Did you follow the US Presidential campaign in 2000? If you wish to answer, which (if any) candidate did you support? If you are American, would you classify yourself as a democrat, republican, or other (please explain)?

I did follow the capmaign. Supported Gore.

**3. Did you follow the election day (7 November 2000) events, such as exit polls? **

When I could.

4. When you first heard the results of the election, when did you hear them and what did you hear (e.g., Bush won, Gore won, etc). Where did you get this information? If you remember the name of the publication, news station, etc, please say.

I heard about it the following day when my friends told me in school. I then went online and checked on BBC.

5. In reference to #4, what was your initial reaction to the news?

A bit surprised, but I didn’t lose any sleep over it.

6. Did you follow the recount process (through 11 December 2000)?

Not really, no.

7. What were your thoughts about the recount and supreme court deliberations? What did you sense from those around you? Who did you think was the true winner of the election?

Can’t remember. We were a bit miffed/confused as to how Bush/Gore was so close, since many of us here expected Gore to win over a largish margin.

8. If outside the US: Did you think/worry about the impact of the stalemate (and eventual outcome) on your country?

Not at the time. There was some concern, but we had more pressing issues to deal with at the time.

**9. What was your reaction and where did you find out about the final Supreme Court decision? **

Local newspaper (SCMP). Slight bewilderment.

**10. Were there any issues not addressed in this survey you feel were important during that time period? If so, please share. **

Nope.

1. In what country do you live? Please also say if you have lived in any other countries . - American living in Italy since 9/97. Have also lived in India.

2. Did you follow the US Presidential campaign in 2000? Yes, Bush, republican.

3. Did you follow the election day (7 November 2000) events, such as exit polls? Nope.

4. When you first heard the results of the election, when did you hear them and what did you hear (e.g., Bush won, Gore won, etc). Where did you get this information? If you remember the name of the publication, news station, etc, please say. Bush Won, maybe.Rai (Italian gov’t run TV) 1 & 2 said Gore, Rai 3 said Bush. Mediaset (Berlusconi’s TV) - Rete 4/Canale 5/Italia 1 said Bush won.

5. In reference to #4, what was your initial reaction to the news? Mused about the fact that the individual’s vote doens’t count, per se. Lamented to Mr. Chattywine about the electoral college set up.

6. Did you follow the recount process (through 11 December 2000)? For a bit oddly enough lost interest.

7. What were your thoughts about the recount and supreme court deliberations? What did you sense from those around you? Who did you think was the true winner of the election? As a whole I thought it was embarassing, EVERY freaking day I was asked by amused locals, and the in-laws for that matter, So who’s your new president?? True winner? Whoever got the most votes, I don’t mean electoral votes. I mean total votes nationwide.

8. If outside the US: Did you think/worry about the impact of the stalemate (and eventual outcome) on your country? Thought about it yes, worried no.

9. What was your reaction and where did you find out about the final Supreme Court decision? Ah finally! CNN online.

10. Were there any issues not addressed in this survey you feel were important during that time period? If so, please share. One thing, friends stationed here at NAS Sigonella were worried their votes were not being included (both military & civilian) and Bush should have won by a higher margin. I don’t know if it’s true but many had mentioned it at the time.
Hope this helps your project. Wasn’t sure how much to elaborate :slight_smile:

  1. American. Have not lived elsewhere for more than six months.

  2. I supported Gore in the 2000 campaign, though I am registered as an independent voter. My personal views vary from moderate to liberal, depending on the issue.

  3. I followed televised Election Day 2000 coverage closely (I remember spending that evening glued to the TV).

  4. I saw the initial results as they were (erratically, and sometimes erroneously) reported on TV (I was watching NBC and ABC, I think, both of which predicted Gore and Bush to win at different times on Election Night). When I went to bed at 4am, it was pretty clear that Bush had won, though the networks were hedging on saying anything final.

  5. My initial reaction was an exasperated “Oh, shit.” But I wasn’t surprised.

  6. I didn’t pay much attention to the recount, other than to roll my eyes at the absurdity of it all. And to make fun of Katherine Harris’ makeup. I never expected a recount to overturn the reported result.

  7. I neither know nor care who “really won”. It doesn’t matter who got more votes, because, by hook or by crook, Bush was elected. End of story.

  8. I wouldn’t say I worried about the international reaction, because I didn’t believe that other countries had a whole lot of respect for American politics and policies to start with. But I certainly didn’t think that this circus would do any good.

  9. I pretty much ignored the final Supreme Court decision, because it came as no surprise.

  10. No other issues I can think of, except that I’m concerned for the validity and fairness of future races, and hope for election reform.

Thanks for the replies - but no one else?

Shameless bump

C’mon…Uh, I’ll email you a copy of the finished paper if you reply?

  1. In what country do you live? Please also say if you have lived in any other countries.

canada presently, united states and united kingdom in the past

  1. Did you follow the US Presidential campaign in 2000? If you wish to answer, which (if any) candidate did you support? If you are American, would you classify yourself as a democrat, republican, or other (please explain)?

I somewhat followed it, not too closely.

  1. Did you follow the election day (7 November 2000) events, such as exit polls?

yes

  1. When you first heard the results of the election, when did you hear them and what did you hear (e.g., Bush won, Gore won, etc). Where did you get this information? If you remember the name of the publication, news station, etc, please say.

I think i was switching between nbc, cbs, cnn and abc

  1. In reference to #4, what was your initial reaction to the news?

none

  1. Did you follow the recount process (through 11 December 2000)?
    no

  2. What were your thoughts about the recount and supreme court deliberations? What did you sense from those around you? Who did you think was the true winner of the election?

i dont remember at the time

  1. If outside the US: Did you think/worry about the impact of the stalemate (and eventual outcome) on your country?
    If within the US: Did you think/worry about the international reaction to the election/stalemate/recount?

no not at all
9. What was your reaction and where did you find out about the final Supreme Court decision?

n/a i dont remember the scdecision
10. Were there any issues not addressed in this survey you feel were important during that time period? If so, please share.

none

The You Knighted States of America

Yes and a liberal republican.

I was unemployed and had nothing better to do.

I heard it on CNN and read it on CNN’s website. I remember Gore conceding to Bush.

That Gore’s an admirable fellow conceding the vote to Bush.

Yes. Florida came across as a third world country.

It was patently stupid and a shitstorm raised by Gore who conceded but five minutes later went PSYCHE and decided to be a whiney little bitch. Gore wanted to steal the vote as much as Bush.

Not applicable.

Hooray, no more “hanging chad” jokes! Everyone can get back to whining about Elian Gonzalez and other pointless, human interest news stories that have no bearing on life in general.

No, but I would like to take this moment to ask if there is anyone among us who does not enjoy pie?

  1. In what country do you live? Please also say if you have lived in any other countries.
    U.S. Have never been a “resident” of any other country. Have not spent a full year in the U.S. since… 1997 maybe.

  2. Did you follow the US Presidential campaign in 2000? If you wish to answer, which (if any) candidate did you support? If you are American, would you classify yourself as a democrat, republican, or other (please explain)?
    Yes.
    Did not enthusiastically support any candidate. Grudgingly supported Gore.

  3. Did you follow the election day (7 November 2000) events, such as exit polls?
    No. Election day “news” gets on my nerves.

  4. When you first heard the results of the election, when did you hear them and what did you hear (e.g., Bush won, Gore won, etc). Where did you get this information? If you remember the name of the publication, news station, etc, please say.
    The first news I heard was that Bush had won, but I deliberately avoided the news while the election was going on.

  5. In reference to #4, what was your initial reaction to the news?
    Seriously, I just hoped people would stop investing so much in the president and get back to true American politics.

  6. Did you follow the recount process (through 11 December 2000)?
    Yes, very closely.

  7. What were your thoughts about the recount and supreme court deliberations? What did you sense from those around you? Who did you think was the true winner of the election?
    There’s simply no argument against Bush being the true winner. Some of my friends, I sensed, do not understand A) how presidential elections in the US work B) the historic political leanings of the polling places with questionable results C) which president’s “tough on crime” policies fomented a large number of felons being legally excluded from voting D) the general stats for voter turnout in Florida and the likelihood that a significant number of those wrongly excluded from voting would have tried and failed.

  8. If outside the US: Did you think/worry about the impact of the stalemate (and eventual outcome) on your country?
    If within the US: Did you think/worry about the international reaction to the election/stalemate/recount?
    I was in several other countries in the spring after the election and was stunned by the number of people who were willing to assert that the election was “stolen” without having any real information about American political processes.

  9. What was your reaction and where did you find out about the final Supreme Court decision?
    I thought well, now the Supreme Court might be able to do something worthwhile with its time.

  10. Were there any issues not addressed in this survey you feel were important during that time period? If so, please share.
    Shortage of factual questions - would be interesting to see how certain attitudes might be associated with certain gaps in knowledge.

I love pie!

  1. Australia.

  2. I kept an eye on it. Didn’t relgiously seek updates, but I knew the candidates and I knew how things were progressing. I was pretty informed. I supported Gore, I suppose, because I knew that Nader wouldn’t win, and it’s harder to support a third party candidate when you don’t have the opportunity to vote for them. That said, I would have been ecstatically happy if Nader had won, and was pleasantly surprised to see him doing as well as he did.

  3. No.

  4. That day or the day after, I’d say. I think the first I’d heard was Bush claiming victory, and then soon after the whole Florida debacle.

  5. Pretty damn pissed off. It was very apparent that Bush was an idiot, a Republican and would probably not handle foreign affairs with the tact or ability that Clinton did.

  6. Again, not religiously, and after a while I got pretty sick of it. Still, I was well informed.

  7. A lot of info around at the time that I didn’t read. It was more a case of “it sucks, but look who’s in the White House” at first as to who won, but later on I learnt of Bush’s misappropriation of the Presidency.

  8. I didn’t worry about the stalemate; that was a problem with the US electoral process. I did worry, and still do, about the effects of a Bush Presidency.

  9. It would have been the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper and I was pissed off.

  10. I think I’ll just emphasise the disbelief that I, and I think, other felt after the election and during the campaign. It seemed impossible that someone like Bush could be taken seriously as a presidential candidate. It seemed ridiculous that he could get voted in, even running against someone like Gore. I thought his running was just a bad joke, at first.