There's no doubt in my mind whatsoever that they were attempting to "drive" the perception across America all the way to the "left" coast that Bush was not only losing, but losing big-time, therefore, "don't bother voting." They started this early, and they kept it going for as long as they could. I will never forget watching all of this play out on television, keeping abreast of news/updates/tallies, etc. on the internet all throughout the night. It was quite something, to say the least, and I could have never believed it possible, had I not been watching it myself. And thank God GWBush finally came out on top.
In addition to calling Florida way too early, they also held off calling big Bush wins in places like Georgia and Ohio. The modus was to call for Gore ASAP, and to hold off until the last second to announce Bush had taken a state.
Also the dem lamenting about the electoral college is as phoney as can be. In the weeks leading up to the election Gore's camp thought it possible Bush could take the popular vote while Gore took the electoral votes, and I well remember the solemn instruction of how our system works. All fine and well, as that is how it is structured. But when it went against them they can't shut up about how unfair it all is, when they were fully prepared to accept the opposite outcome and not countenance any handwringing by our side (as if) about it.