Tuesday, July 13, 2004
I find it mildly amusing that the press is dredging up horror stories from the 2000 election to cast doubt on the outcome of this one. There is some room for concern. Since Democratic candidates aren't getting any more honorable, any close states will be contested hotly. Never mind that there was far more reason last time to doubt the returns in Michigan, Illinois and Pennsylvania than in Florida. Bush probably won by a much greater majority than reported, considering the illegal votes cast for Gore in these states and then the illegal methods for recounting the Florida ballots the Gore campaign initiated. No, the press is more concerned that the fact that most states have the same voting systems will produce the same result: an election won by a Republican. Hopefully this time at least it won't go to court.
I'm not too worried about it. Our democracy worked last time despite Al Gore and his dogs in the media. Anyone remember how the media called Florida for Gore before the largely-Republican pan handle finished voting? Or how judges tried to keep polls open in largely-Democratic Saint Louis three hours longer than the rest of Missouri? Ironically enough these things have not been dealt with either. But the press isn't too worried. And why not? Maybe this time it will work.
I'm not too worried about it. Our democracy worked last time despite Al Gore and his dogs in the media. Anyone remember how the media called Florida for Gore before the largely-Republican pan handle finished voting? Or how judges tried to keep polls open in largely-Democratic Saint Louis three hours longer than the rest of Missouri? Ironically enough these things have not been dealt with either. But the press isn't too worried. And why not? Maybe this time it will work.
// posted by The Pendragon @ 7:48 PM 
