Posted on 11/02/2004 4:41:41 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
To paraphrase Tim Russert from 2000, the theme of this election as far as the Today Show and their fellow Democrats are concerned is "turnout, turnout, turnout."
Katie and Matt opened the show by stressing what they expect to be the huge turnout, as much as 120 million, compared with 105 million in 2000. And when Tim Russert appeared a few minutes later, he gave away the game as to why Today is so fervently hoping for record turnout.
According to Russert: "Republicans are expecting 110 million voters, while Dems are praying for 120 million."
The theme continued later in the half hour when Matt interviewed John Edwards. Virtually the first question out of Matt's mouth was to invite Edwards to predict turnout. Edwards predicted there'd be a much larger turnout than in 200: "115 million, 120, maybe more."
Of course it's not just any old turnout that Today is hoping for. The show aired live footage from helicopters of people waiting on lines to vote in Ft. Lauderdale and OH.
Both districts, judging by the people in the line, seemed to be in areas with a high proportion of black voters. With all the precincts in the country that Today could have chosen, it seems clear they were trying to send some kind of message or at least expressing their fondest hopes.
Anne Thompson reported on fact that OH Dems went to the US Supreme Court overnight and that Justice John Stevens turned down their appeal, with the result that GOP observers will be allowed into polling places to challenge eligibility.
Russert suggested that the ability of GOP challengers to be at polls could delay polling late into the night.
There then was unintentionally revelatory moment: Katie asked if there will there be Dem poll watchers too. Now it's obvious as a matter of law that Dems would have the same right. But the reality is that Dems won't exercise that right to any significant extent for the simple-but-unstated reason that it is Dems who engage in the overwhelming proportion of fraudulent voting.
Russert opined that the war in Iraq and "internet talk" of the possiblity of a draft has really mobilized young voters, ignoring blatant statements by Kerry himself predicting that a draft was much likely if W is re-elected. Russert said that young people are supporting Kerry by 53-38. "Will they show up and vote? If so that is very good for Kerry."
A hopeful Katie suggested that polls have undersampled young voters because of the cell-phone phenomenon.
Their were only two references to the possibility of either side losing, and, surprise!, both entertained the notion that W might lose. Norah O'Donnell claimed that his speechwriters have written an acceptance speech but also "another speech in case the President doesn't win."
And when Katie interviewed a beautiful and gracious Laura Bush, she asked her whether the President has considered his future plans in the event he is not re-elected. No such questions were posed, or reporting made, on the Kerry's future plans should he lose. I guess everyone takes it as a given he'll simply devote himself to snowboarding and windsurfing at Teresa's far-flung mansions.
A couple other tidbits:
Edwards refuses to admit that Kerry will lose Edwards' home state of NC. "There are long lines, heavy turnout in NC - you really can't predict."
Edwards also went out of his way to mention the number of years he has been married to Liz and to state that she is "the love of my life." Was that necessary for other than political pandering grounds?
Let's close on a Couric fashion-watch note. Katie was dressed in a very neutral beige. Let's hope she has the black number back from the cleaners for tomorrow!
The Today Show--IMO, not a good way to start God's gift of a new day.
But I would say, katie knows her goose is cooked and it's not the way she thought (and hoped and prayed) it'd turn out.
May God have mercy on her soul.
I can't say I was struck by Katie's mood in particular, but in retrospect she seemed subdued, if not depressed. As Russert said, the mood of the day on all sides is one of anxiety, and I'm sure Katie is experiencing it too, on behalf of the Dems of course.
Yours is infinitely funnier. I yield. :)
In fairness to you, I think there's a lot to be said for Katie's Morticia look. After all, the Dems are counting on a huge turnout by the dead.
I din't know that RATS prayed. Prey, yes, but pray...to whom?
Chris Mathews....rain good for Republicans, Demos don't like to get wet,it gets into their Starbucks."Kerry is a question mark" to many voters.Mathews looks depressed.
TS
So... to whom exactly are these Democrats praying? One hopes thay are not praying in the polling booth, that would violate their precious "separation of church and state" principles, particularly when the booth is in a school. Does anyone actually still believe these people?
The thought of Katy Couric and Matt Lauer praying to anything other than shallow fame and the alimghty dollar is ludricious.
Richardson spoke at my niece's graduation from Northeastern. He was unbelievably boring. All he could talk about was all the great things that he and Bubba had done for this country. Even more boring than Kerry. You know, our "investment" in the country (raising our taxes).
Katie is only neutral in her fashion choice du jour; her NOT wearing red today makes me laugh. Pardon my preoccupation w/trivia. My yo-yo emotional string is frayed. Got to feed my Yorki pups, take a shower, and shove off to the poll 10 miles away. Note to all y'all........Edwards will NOT carry NC. We don't like him or his insult-prone wife one little bit.
I voted in NC this morning and passed several polls on the way to work and will attest that the lines are indeed long.
How are you feeling about the senatorial race in NC?
I'm wearing red with my Bush/Cheney button.
An excellent fashion look!
VERY hopeful. Richard Burr is a good candidate, and Erskine Bowles has tried to hide every way he can that he had/has connections to clinton...chief of staff IS Rather (puns in case your eyes aren't open yet!) close to that impeached president!
Bowles
Oliphant
Thanks. A friend of mine has a bottle of champagne chilling for this evening as well.
A friend of mine in Raleigh has been working for Kerry and thinks he'll take NC. Any freepers from NC want to weigh in here?
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