Ed Bradley Calls Election for Bush on CBS, Rather Objects

interocitor ^ | 11/3

[ambrose]

November 03, 2004

Ed Bradley Calls Election for Bush on CBS, Rather Objects In a rather testy on-air exchange, circa 12:30am PST, between Dan Rather, CBS anchor, and Ed Bradley, long-time corresponent for CBS's 60 Minutes and an election night commentator, Bradley rather roundly criticized both Kerry and his own network for not accepting the obvious mathematics and calling the election for Bush.

Bradley pointed out that Bush leads Kerry by 145,000 votes in Ohio, and even if 250,000 provisional ballots remain (which he considered a high estimate), and that even if all the provisional ballots are valid, Kerry would need 79% of them in order to tie. A result Bradley considered impossible. Rather's reply was basically that "it was the position of CBS News to not call the race." Rather made no attempt to refute Bradley on the facts, except to state and restate that this is what CBS was going to do.

I'd love to see the transcript of the exchange. I do wonder how much Rather's trashing of 60 Minute's reputation had to do with Bradley's willingness to challenge Rather and CBS on the air.

BTW, does anyone know how that Rathergate investigation is going?

[Osage Orange]

Here's something I'll never quite totally understand...

Why in the world does anyone in the GOP give CBS the time of day? Why, not just boycott them?

I'd just give them a smile and a "No comment" every time they stuck a microphone / camera in my face.

BWDIK??!!

FRegards,

[RAY]

To be fair, Blather has consistently followed his left-wing agenda. This fits in perfectly with his MO.

Which, by definition, is unprincipled! :>)

[ruthles]

Couric wore a funeral dress last year also when Bush was fiiiinally declaired the winner. I distinctly remember. It's probably the same dress. Does she still have that cold sore on her lip? HAHAHAHA

[intolerancewillNOTbetolerated]

"Rather was in full panic last night. Better yet, Tom Brokaw nearly broke down in tears when NBC called Ohio for Bush. His voice cracked something awful, and his eyes glossed over. "

Despite their delusional self-aggrandizement these guys HAVE to admit that this election is a rejection of them, as well, since their clear recommendations were slapped down.

[intolerancewillNOTbetolerated]

"I remember early last night so many people here was saying not to watch Fox and to turn to cbs...that he was doing a good job, so I did for awhile and he was early on, he was funny, fair and balance, even oddly seemed favorable to President Bush. But at 1:00am the meltdown started, and I figured out what he was up to...it was the exit polls, he felt like he knew kerry was going to win, so why not put on a charade. When Ohio went to Bush, it was priceless.

I've noticed a similar syndrome with Alan Colmes. He can seem very balanced (mentally)...polite and even kind when he believes things are going in his beloved liberals' favor. But when he's worried he's rude and his uptight expression makes him look like the Phantom of the Opera.

[spirit_free]

Greetings!
It just doesn't get any better than watching the lot of self-appointed, self-serving, blow hards of the media simply deflate before our very eyes. Gosh, it feels so good and is just so much fun to watch. That's just gravy in addition to our President being re-elected to his second term. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

[Annie03]

LOL-I was flipping channels, but CNN seemed the most in denial.....last time I looked they still haven't given Ohio to W.

[codercpc]

My husband, who works nights, said this morning that the only radio station he could get last night had Sam Donaldson on as their commentator.

He was very surprised to say, "He did an excellent job".

[Aquinasfan]

It's morning in America. Life is good.

[dougherty]

of course Dan won't listen to reason. Good try Ed, but Rather made an ass of himself yet again.

[dougherty]

I liked it when Rather said the Kerry campaign was on a respirator.

[SaveTheChief]

Just for kicks (I was well into my adult beverages at this time last night), I started looking at the coverage by the networks. I apparently wasn't relaxed enough to neutralize the idiocy of Rather, Jennings and Brokaw. Russert's little tablet PC and his constant unwillingness to throw Ohio to Bush was irritating at best.

Leftists of this stature just simply will not admit to the truth. They want to speculate, question, and go into strategy mode at the first break of bad news to them. They will die believing they are right and that America is too stupid to know what a 130,000 vote margin means.

Last night/this early AM was just unreal. That they have not called Iowa, Nevada, or New Mexico is proof that they want to make as much of a controversy out of this as possible.

[hosepipe]

Gibson, Stephaopolous.. course it could navy blue... black really.. or looks black..

[weegee]

Media Schadenfreude and Media Shenanigans PING

[Future Useless Eater]

yes, we need TRANSCRIPTS of this exchange...

Tivo owners, can you help out?


The way I heard this story told is that after Bradley tried to explain it was mathematically impossible for Kerry to win Ohio, that raTHer cautioned the audience that Bradley was NOT an expert in math...

THEN Bradley corrected raTHer by arguing that he used to TEACH math! LOL!

[Future Useless Eater]

>>Rather going down with the ship!

I agree, except physially hold your tongue while you say that ;-)

[Ciexyz]

Dear Dan: Hold a finger up in front of your nose. Tell me, what do you see?

[Joe Miner]

BTW, does anyone know how that Rathergate investigation is going?

Let us relax for a day or two, but next target has to be the MSM, take them down or reform them. They truly stepped on their ____ this time.

[YaYa123]

I'd like to see a replay of the Bradley/Rather exchange, and hey! I'd like to see a replay of late night Susan Estrich, all botoxed and boozed up, predicting how her old friends in Ohio had called to tell her just how Kerry was going to win. She's had her eyes fixed too, had great make-up, and looked sort of nice in her pale pink suit.....until she opened that vile mouth and started to spew spinning lies. It was bizarre!

[weegee]

"We have to go by our own rules....our own traditions....we would rather be last than be wrong" - Dan "FAXed memos from Kinkos" Rather