If exit polls project Kerry the early winner, will networks do the same?

[ElementaryPenguin]

They'll no longer declare as early as they did in '80 for Reagan over Carter - they now wait until the the polls are closed at 8:00 PM West Coast time, but, if by say 8:00, it's clear by the exit polls that Kerry is the electoral votes winner - will the networks actually name John Kerry as the president elect - or will they have to get Karl Rove, GE, Westinghouse, Murdock, Disney approval first?

:shrug:

[DrWeird]

1. I'm skeptical they won't report it.

It's the biggest news in the last three years, which ever way it goes.

Besides, it's just not natural for me as a West Coaster not to find out who won before the polls close.

[TaleWgnDg]

2. do they have John Ellis (Dumbya's first cousin) working for

them as did Faux News in 2000 when it was Ellis who first said (erroneously) that Bush won?

[ElementaryPenguin]

6. Good question. Would FAUX be brazen enough to put him there again?

Probably - those ruthless bastards!

[Kolesar]

3. they don't do exit polls anymore

They killed the concept for the 2002 election.

[democraticinsurgent]

4. wrong

a new consortium is doing exit polling this year for all the news networks. i'm signed up to do exit polling here in Indianapolis.

there hasn't been a lot of news about it, but it's really happening. i got my exit pollers kit in fedex yesterday.

[chimpy the poopthrower]

5. Do you think they are trustworthy?

I'd like to think so, but...

[ElementaryPenguin]

7. How did you get involved in the exit polling? And can THE REST OF US

here do the same? Please share and spread the word!!!

[democraticinsurgent]

19. found out about it right here

there was a thread a few weeks back and i went to the website and emailed them. they called me back and put me to work.

;-)

here's the link. i don't know if they still need people but worth checking out.

http://www.exit-poll.net/index.html

they seem quite reputable, the two organizations involved are experienced research companies. i was so bummed that VNS got disbanded and am hopeful this is an important check and balance.

i'll keep you posted!

[Kolesar]

9. well, excuse me!

[AndyTiedye]

12. If the Exit Polls Show Kerry Winning the "Wrong" States they'll Pull Them

"We, uh, have bad data. Our data is bad."

VNS employee, Election night 2000.

[Bandit]

16. That is the best news I have heard in months..

:thumbsup: I especially hope they are done at the polls using touch screen voting without paper trail.

[Ediacara]

8. We won't know until the mid-west is done, possibly even the west coast

We'll "know" who won shortly after 7:30 or 8:00 when Florida and Ohio come in, but we won't have an "official" electoral majority until 10:00 or 11:00 eastern.

I say that WISCONSIN or MINNESOTA put us over the top, but the east could have a lot of too close to call races, and believe it or not we might have to wait until CALIFORNIA.

There is a great timeline on this site.

And here's the map:

[ElementaryPenguin]

15. Very helpful map. Thanks!

:dem:

[greekspeak]

10. Nope

Well, CBS might. But the rest will whore for Shrub until the last nail is in the coffin. And then some. I predict that at least some networks will make things up if they have to to who for His Chimpiness

[porphyrian]

24. Also, they don't want a repeat of 2000, where they had to retract. - n/t

[beyurslf]

11. They will be very careful I think in naming winners in close states.

I can see any state we name as a battle ground now being held too close to call for much of the evening. FL, OH, PA: they could all wait on those three for much of the night. Get out the coffee and plan for a long night.

[rinsd]

13. I would rather they actually count the votes, myself...

I know exit polls are fairly accurate but let's see some actual vote counting before they start predicting winners.

[ElementaryPenguin]

14. But thanks to touch screen - exit polls are likely more reflective of

the true vote count!

[qb]

17. Even if Kerry is the clear winner in a battleground state

the Rethugs will charge in with their lawyers claiming voter fraud or vote manipulation or whatever they can think of to muck up the process. They'll even turn on their friends at Diebold if need be.

Wouldn't that be ironic... Diebold dies a slow death due to Rethuglican challenges!

[Flor2004]

18. based off of 2000

I think the networks will back off from calling the election too early. If i remember correctly in 2000 the originally called Bush the winner, then recanted to say Gore, then we hit the legal mess. Dems claimed the early call kept people from going out and voting on the east coast. Unless it's a landslide (which no polling data currently shows) i doubt we get a accurate call till quite late. Specifically due to the multiple methods of voting now in place. And lord knows there will be legal warfare. It's an early Christmas for our friends in the legal profession.

[Javaman]

20. It will be a landslide for Kerry...

they will have no choice but to report it.

[ElementaryPenguin]

22. From your fingertips to God's eyes, Javaman...I wanna believe you are

exactly right!!!

:bounce:

[GreenPartyVoter]

21. I wish we wouldn't report until everything is said and done.

I hate it when people check out the exit polls and think that either their guy has it locked up tight or no chance in heck so don't bother to go to the polls.

There is more to vote on than a President, folks. Go no matter what!

[ElementaryPenguin]

23. I agree, but I won't mind a bit if exit polls have Kerry winning BIG!!!

:party: