Talk about old school: 1976 election night coverage

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G15k8oK2B50

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Much thanks!  I've tried doing video searches on YouTube for Election Night 1976 but to no avail.  BTW: I was shocked when Barbara Walters said that early calls don't affect voter turnout in states that are still open.  Just four years later, in 1980, the networks really got burned when they called the presidential election for Reagan while many of the Western states were still open, which allegedly depressed turnout for Democrats in those states.  Same thing happened in 2000 when the early call of Florida (before all the polls in the state were closed) for Gore depressed turnout for Republicans in both the Panhandle and in other states that were still open.

[True Federalist]

 BTW: I was shocked when Barbara Walters said that early calls don't affect voter turnout in states that are still open.  Just four years later, in 1980, the networks really got burned when they called the presidential election for Reagan while many of the Western states were still open, which allegedly depressed turnout for Democrats in those states.  Same thing happened in 2000 when the early call of Florida (before all the polls in the state were closed) for Gore depressed turnout for Republicans in both the Panhandle and in other states that were still open.

Depends on the States they call.  Really there is no reason why the networks begin their nightly newscasts at 6:30 pm Eastern this November  they couldn't lead with the following calls:

[Oldiesfreak1854]

But it makes no sense to call races before the polls in that state are closed.  Being right is more important than being first, and it is crucial to preserve the integrity of elections by waiting to call races until ALL the polls in that state are closed.

[True Federalist]

Barring a massive unexpected shift in the electorate in the next fourteen weeks, or a massive breakdown in polling techniques, the above states can all be called now.  I even left a number of states as uncalled that would require a major shift to have any chance of being competitive in November.

Incidentally, while the above would lead to a number of States being called early, even with it, the election would not have been called any earlier in 2008 than it was.  (Though it would have if either Virginia or Florida had been called before 11pm.)

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

Much thanks!  I've tried doing video searches on YouTube for Election Night 1976 but to no avail.  BTW: I was shocked when Barbara Walters said that early calls don't affect voter turnout in states that are still open.  Just four years later, in 1980, the networks really got burned when they called the presidential election for Reagan while many of the Western states were still open, which allegedly depressed turnout for Democrats in those states.  Same thing happened in 2000 when the early call of Florida (before all the polls in the state were closed) for Gore depressed turnout for Republicans in both the Panhandle and in other states that were still open.

True. It's also affecting other races. For example, early call for Reagan in 1980 caused many Democrats in Idaho to stay home, which resulted in Frank Church's narrow defeat for reelection.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Barring a massive unexpected shift in the electorate in the next fourteen weeks, or a massive breakdown in polling techniques, the above states can all be called now.  I even left a number of states as uncalled that would require a major shift to have any chance of being competitive in November.

Incidentally, while the above would lead to a number of States being called early, even with it, the election would not have been called any earlier in 2008 than it was.  (Though it would have if either Virginia or Florida had been called before 11pm.)

7
I don't expect a shift either, but even if those states go as expected, anyone in those states who wants to vote should have the opportunity to do it before the polls close.  Many of those states probably would be called immediately after they close, but it is important to remember that every vote counts, even if it is for a losing candidate, so the media should not depress voter turnout by making early calls like that.

Much thanks!  I've tried doing video searches on YouTube for Election Night 1976 but to no avail.  BTW: I was shocked when Barbara Walters said that early calls don't affect voter turnout in states that are still open.  Just four years later, in 1980, the networks really got burned when they called the presidential election for Reagan while many of the Western states were still open, which allegedly depressed turnout for Democrats in those states.  Same thing happened in 2000 when the early call of Florida (before all the polls in the state were closed) for Gore depressed turnout for Republicans in both the Panhandle and in other states that were still open.

True. It's also affecting other races. For example, early call for Reagan in 1980 caused many Democrats in Idaho to stay home, which resulted in Frank Church's narrow defeat for reelection.

I'm sure there were other factor's in Senator Church's defeat (such as the sour mood toward Democrats nationally at the time), but that's a very well-made point.  If that's true, then the early call of Florida in 2000 very well may have resulted in Slade Gorton's defeat in Washington State.  (Of course, Washington votes mostly by mail-in ballots, but still, it's quite possible.)  It probably also cost Bush some of the closest states, including New Mexico, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Iowa.  (Again, Oregon votes by mail-in ballots, but since Bush lost there by less than 7,000 votes, it's still possible that he would have carried it without the early FL call.)  Chances are also very good that Bush would have had at least some breathing room in Florida (since the call was made before the Panhandle closed) and won the national popular vote as well.  If Bush had carried those other states, he could have won without Florida.

[CathKhan]

I guess if you bring up Frank Church, then George McGovern's defeat might be mentionable as well. Not sure. Let's leave it to the experts.

[Proud Lieberal from Northeast]

I guess if you bring up Frank Church, then George McGovern's defeat might be mentionable as well. Not sure. Let's leave it to the experts.

Church lost by mere 0.9%, while McGovern lost by almost 20%

McGovern, pretty much like more recet examples of Rick Santorum and Blanche Lincoln, was a toast and nothing coulp help him. Without depressed turnout, Church would probably be reelected.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Anyway, regardless of what would have happened to Senator Church, I would just like to again you for posting this clip!   I've watched some of videos of the coverage after this too.

[ask_not]

I was four in 1976, so this is my first time watching.

[tb78]

I am glad you folks liked the coverage. I put it up a few months back on my channel.