"Exit Polls On Trial"
Reported by Nancy - November 2, 2004 -
At 9:00pm (ET) tonight (11/2), I swtiched back to Fox from CNN. The first thing I noticed (again), was how busy the banners at the bottom of the screen are -- multilayered, too much data, small typefaces that are difficult to read, & they flash by too quickly for a viewer to really comprehend. And I put the title of this post in quotes because that's an actual quote from Brit Hume, as Fox continues to dismiss the importance of exit polls that are not in favor of GOPs.
At 9:00pm, Brit Hume discussed Senate races briefly. Fred Barnes followed with a more detailed analysis of the Senate race i OK (apparently won by Coburn, GOP). Michael Barone contributed an indepth commentary on the race in FL, reading off a long list, county by county. Kondracke noted that exit polls from earlier today don't match what the actual numbers are saying now.
At 9:11pm (ET), Neil Cavuto did a commentary on the markets' reactions to early results & rumors. Interestingly, he actually noted that markets sometimes "do quite well" with Dems. Chris Wallace filed a report about MO, with graphs showing "evangelicals" & "unions", with emphasis on whether each slice of the voting demographic was voting for or against Bush or for or against Kerry.
At 9:17pm (ET), Hume asked his panel whether the exit polls got it right. Much bloviating ensued, most of it very dismissive of early exit polls.
At 9:24pm (ET), Martha McCallum announced that Bush has called to congratulate Isakson, the GOP who seems to have won the seat in GA that Zell Miller (Dem) gave up. She then flashed thru a number of other Senate races at near light speed. At 9:26pm (ET), Greta van Susteren filed a report keeping track of state initiatives, especially re gay marriage, & focusing on some issues in FL like counting of absentee ballots.
At 9:30pm (ET), Hume announced that Fox is calling Bush the winner in LA. This was followed by a panel discussion of the Obama v Keyes race in IL, & the (by now routine) dismissal of early exit polls.
At 9:33pm (ET), Hume interviewed Ralph Nader, who provided his usual Dem-bashing lines. Hume then interviewed Rudy Giuliani, who provided the usual upbeat analysis. After Giuliani, Hume announced that Obama's acceptance speech may be available soon.
At 9:41pm (ET), van Susteren interviewed Andrew Napolitano re state initiatives, especially re gay marriage. Hume then announced that they "may" have footage of the Bush family waiting for vote results. This was followed by the panel discussing some of the Congressional races.
At 9:51pm (ET), viewers were treated to a video moment of watching Bush & his extended family "watching returns" at the White House. [comment: there's some news you can't use] Chris Wallace then filed a report about CO being too close to call, with more graphics slicing & dicing the voter demographics, including "evangelicals".
At 9:54pm (ET), Michael Barone reported on more slicing & dicing re FL, including Broward County's "Jewish population". Even counties where Dems have gained were presented as less of a GOP loss. Viewers learned that Fred Barnes owns a house in Vero Beach.
The hour ended with Hume noting that some polls in the West will be closing, & they may be able to make more predictions.
