The Dem faithful heading to the polls.
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!
I'm in "Toothless" Fairfax County, Virginia. We had two Democratic poll watchers and ZERO Republican ones. The poll watchers started complaining that they couldn't hear the voters' names clearly enough, and had started asking the poll workers to turn around and repeat it loudly. After a minute of that, the senior poll worker stormed over to the table and said (quite loudly) "IF THE POLL WATCHER CANNOT HEAR THE NAME, THAT'S THEIR PROBLEM. DON'T SLOW THINGS DOWN JUST FOR THEM, DO NOT REPEAT ANY NAMES." I chuckled.
(Unfortunately, I'm betting that my district is gonna go Kerry. Rassa frassa gub'mint bureaucrats, thinking they can live around me and stuff...)
hehehe! Finally someone gets it.
It's a name a co-opted from a cross-dresser I met in Hollywood about 20 years ago.
I don't think NC has elected a dimocrat senator in a presidential election year in recent history and hope like hell we don't start now. After 6 years with the ambulance chaser I don't think I can stand another 6 with irksom bowels.
Again, may I tell you how wonderful you are and how much I appreciate your service to us. Have a wonderful and hopefully sucessful day. May God listen to our prayers.
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