Networks will play wait, see (CA Recall exit polls)

The Hollywood Reporter ^ | October 7th, 2003 | Andrew Grossman

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NEW YORK -- California's recall election frenzy has been a boon to national TV news outlets during the past two months, what with the movie-star candidacy of Arnold Schwarzenegger and a colorful cast of supporting characters that ranged from Arianna Huffington to Angelyne.

But now that it's all set to come to a head at the ballot box today, there's just one problem: There will be no vote totals to report until after polls close at 11 p.m. EDT.

"Election night is going to be very tricky for us," said Jonathan Banner, executive producer of ABC's "World News Tonight." "We're prepared to be there for as long as it takes until we get results we can put on the air."

That is how all the networks are approaching the unusual night, in which the result may not be known for hours, if not days.

"We want to drive people to the 'Today' show the next morning," said Steve Capus, executive producer of NBC's "Nightly News."

All three broadcast networks might cut in for a quick update at 11 p.m., but unless there is a clear winner early, coverage will likely be of the hit-and-run variety with break-ins throughout the night. In Los Angeles, the ABC, CBS and NBC O&O stations plan to pre-empt the final hour of primetime for election coverage, with frequent news cut-ins leading up to 10 p.m.

"We'll be on full standby," said Sandra Genelius, a CBS News spokeswoman. "We could do a crawl. There are a variety of things we could do depending on when the news is breaking."

All the networks, broadcast and cable, will rely on exit poll data from Mitofsky International and Edison Media Research. The networks have pledged not to report any results until the polls close.

ABC and NBC hold some advantages on election night. ABC has "Nightline" with Ted Koppel in Washington after the late local news, and "WNT" has anchor Peter Jennings in Los Angeles.

NBC News can rely on MSNBC to hold the fort while the network stays with its late-night programming (with break-ins) until the results are known.

"This is why we have a cable news channel," Capus said.

Like CNN and Fox News Channel, MSNBC will cover the recall throughout primetime with "Hardball" host Chris Matthews anchoring at 9 p.m. with analysts Peggy Noonan, Howard Fineman, Lawrence O'Donnell and Ben Stein. "Scarborough Country" host Joe Scarborough will take over at 2 a.m.

On Fox News, Brit Hume will kickoff the election tallies at 11 p.m. joined by "Beltway Boys" Fred Barnes and Mort Kondrake and contributors Mara Liasson and Michael Barone. "Hannity & Colmes" will take over live at midnight followed by Greta Van Susteren at 1 a.m.

At CNN, Wolf Blitzer will anchor a three-hour election special at 11 p.m. with Judy Woodruff, Jeff Greenfield, Candy Crowley and Bill Schneider. Blitzer also will cut in with special reports during primetime.

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[theDentist]

"Election night is going to be very tricky for us," said Jonathan Banner.

Because people are watching more carefully, no doubt.

"We're prepared to be there for as long as it takes until we get results we can put on the air."

Precisely 12 seconds after the polls close. Facts be dammed.

[Publius6961]

Nah...

Give it to Rita Cosby; She's got a losing streak going.

You know, Miss Piggy?

[DoctorZIn]

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Want on our daily or major news ping lists? Freepmail DoctorZin

[Wright is right!]

"At CNN, Wolf Blitzer will anchor a three-hour election special at 11 p.m. with Judy Woodruff, Jeff Greenfield, Candy Crowley and Bill Schneider. Blitzer also will cut in with special reports during primetime."

Not going to be a lot of grins on CNN tonight. At least not once the votes are in. And what a lineup. All leftylibs. They've actually become a parody of themselves and just don't realize it.

Michael

[ridesthemiles]

Isn't part of this "delay" due to the fact that when the polls closed in 2000 in eastern time zone Florida, the polls were still open in Central time zone Florida, and the "results" at 7:05 Central time caused lots of voters to not even go to the polls? I seem to remember something to that effect.

[VRWC_minion]

Translation: It takes time to create fradulent ballots. This stuff just doesn't happen. It will at least take all night to cook the books so don't expect any reports until daybreak or later if need be.

[theDentist]

I suppose. Yes, much of the Florida Panhandle is in Central time zone, has a heavy conservative base, and despite the "learn-ed" empty suits on CNN,ABC,NBC,CBS,MSNBC, etc. knowing this, they called the state for Gore more than an hour before the polls closed. Later statisticians said it may have suppressed more than 100,00 votes favoring Bush and 20,000 or so favoring the wooden indian.

[mewzilla]

They wouldn't be waiting if Grayout were winning. They'd rush the news on air in hopes of demoralising the Pubbies.

[goldstategop]

Exactly. I don't think the Democrats are too happy today. The silence in their amen corner media says it all.

[FRgal4u]

heard this from MSNBC

exit polling questions..

1) Bush approval among exit voters - 50% A, 47% D
2) Cali Economy - Good/Very Good = 16%; Not Good/Bad = 84%
3) Can Cali problems be fixed w/o tax hikes - evenly split


from Foxnews

1) Davis approvals - 23% A, 76% D (similar ratings among women voters)
2) Favorables - Arnold 51% F, 44% Un (47/47 among women voters); Busty 36% F, 58% UnF
3) Has arnold answered all the issues - 32% Y, 66% N

my own interpretations...

the Bush approval is a sign that there are more reps than dims in the exit samples - in NY, Bush approval is in the mid 40s...the 50% approval in cali looks awfully good if we have the normal 35% rep, 45% dim, 20% indy voting mix..

the approvals for davis is so low that it will take an act of God to save his skin..

the Favorable for arnold remains good enough for a good win, the 47/47 split among women voters hinting the late charges have only minor impacts

the HIGH unfav in Busty shows Busty will have an uphill battle here

the 32% said arnold has answered all the issues - telling me arnold at least get 32% of the votes

with busty's unfav much higher than arnold's, and if arnold indeed start with a 32% base, the race could well end up in a low/mid 40s for arnold, mid 30s for busty...with Davis as a flaming toast..

jmho.

[Celtman]

Fox news reported this afternoon that the Dems have a motion ready to file before morning to block reporting of the recall results.

[Fledermaus]

Actually, if you read the Fox Exit Polls (it's on their website) you'll find a breakdown of Dem/Rep/Ind and it's about one-third of each.

Then they break it down by liberal/moderately liberal/moderately conservative/conservative and you can judge.