The networks called Florida early for Gore. Think of that. The closest state, in the closest election in the history of close elections, and they call it before the polls had even CLOSED in parts of the state (the panhandle of FLA is in a different time zone than that of the, eh, phallus).
Well everyone knew what THAT meant. For Bush to win, he HAD to win Florida. There was a lot of grousing, a lot of depression. The thing was, even though they called it for Gore, Bush was up in all of the reported vote totals. A couple of FReepers pointed out that the numbers reported do not support calling the state for Gore. At first it was just a lone voice or two (and forgive me for not giving credit to those who were banging the drum for Bush). The state is too close, the numbers still favor Bush.
But the predominant vibe was 'hang it up dude, we are going down in flames". But then, little by little, other posters realized that there WAS something to the idea that the state was far to close to call. Then the trickle became a torrent. I remember calling my mother (who doesn't go on line) and told her that there was a good chance that they were going pull Florida off the board for Gore. She, skeptically said 'that's nice'. You see, she was plugged into the networks.
Then the networks pulled their call for Florida. Bedlam. The rest of the states fell in line for Bush. Bush NEVER fell behind Gore in the vote totals. It went into the night, and then on for another month. But it was a night I will never forget.
Trying to recall... At one point, some on here got wind that ballots were taken to a different “closed” room for “verification” and practically broke the door down getting in there and stopping it. Am I remembering that correctly? I think there was a photo of it and might have even been on Drudge.
Thank you!
I have posted this on so many sites for so long.
I demonstrated during the attempted coup, across the street from a flaming leftist university.
The media interfered with the election to skew votes to Gore; had they waited until the panhandle (heavily Republican) polls closed before calling it, there would have been no pretext for any recount.
I remember it clearly. I was only 16 then and couldn’t vote but this was the first real election I cared about. When they called Florida for Gore I’ll never forget how awful I felt.
Also in the weeks after, I’ll never forget the house I drove by going to school that had a Sore/Loserman sign as well as a sign that said something like “Give up Gore, you baby, you lost!” LOL.