How do you watch elections?

Tareeq · Post by **Tareeq** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 4:09 pm

In my house it's like a sporting event, specifically it's like a UNC basketball game against a ranked opponent. Friends may come over. Beer is consumed. Pizza is ordered. Pillows are thrown at the tv as though the anchormen were Dick Vitale and Billy Packer. Much profanity is uttered.

In 2000 it was like a really close basketball game, in that I eventually had to leave the room. This year, since I dislike both candidates, I'll probably watch it as though it was a basketball game between good teams to which I have no loyalty. Since Bush isn't Dean Smith and Kerry isn't Mike Krzyzewski I'm much less likely to get invested in who wins, and to appreciate this for the sporting event/reality show/beauty contest among ugly competitors that it is.

Good tv.

Does anyone approach these things differently?

CSL · Post by **CSL** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 8:53 pm

Not working Tuesday night, so if CBC is carrying election progress i'll stick with them. Otherwise i'll see what major station (ABC, CBS, NBC or CNN) has the best coverage. That is with the fewest sound bites and least repition. Most likely i'll just play NWN/UT2K4

bluefugue · Post by **bluefugue** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 8:57 pm

The 2000 election I mostly remember Dan Rather's absolutely bizarre homegrown sayings, and Tim Russert with that little dry erase board.

I also remember driving up Ave. of the Stars and hearing on the radio that Gore had taken Florida. I shouted "yes!" in triumph inside my car.

It would be a long day...

Eel Snave · Post by **Eel Snave** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:00 pm

Gore had taken Florida

This just sounds so much like a military conquest.

Bush swept through Kerry-controlled Kansas today, en route to Wichita, in retaliation for Kerry's recent attack on a supply convoy near Bismarck, North Dakota.

Edited because I spel gud.

Fireball · Post by **Fireball** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:04 pm

bluefugue wrote:I also remember driving up Ave. of the Stars and hearing on the radio that Gore had taken Florida. I shouted "yes!" in triumph inside my car.

I had just gotten out of class, my radio tuned to a news station, on my way home to throw on my suit before heading to the Republican Watch Party when they called Gore for Florida. I literally jerked the wheel so hard in dismay that I almost went off the road...

CSL · Post by **CSL** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:22 pm

Eel Snave wrote:
Gore had taken Florida
This just sounds so much like a military conquest.

Bush swept through Kerry-controlled Kansas today, en route to Wichita, in retaliation for Kerry's recent attack on a supply convoy near Bismarck, North Dakota.
Edited because I spel gud.

I would really dig it if election night our entire convo's on the preceedings are made in military euthamisms.

Eel Snave · Post by **Eel Snave** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:24 pm

Peter Jennings all dressed in fatigues, chomping on a cigar.

I want my own news channel.[/quote]

YellowKing · Post by **YellowKing** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 11:17 pm

While I try to stay calm and collected on election night, what actually ends up happening is that I flip frantically between the 3 networks, heart-pounding, from about 6:00pm when I get home until the networks are satisfied that they've called a winner. I try to be casual and play a game or something like I don't really care either way, but in reality I will be on verge of a stroke.

During this time I am prone to cussing, pacing around the room, and basically freaking the hell out.

If my guy wins, I'll go to bed pumped, almost unable to sleep.

If my guy loses, I'll go to bed in a deep depression with enormous anxiety (all of which usually fades by the next day).

Basically, yes, it's EXACTLY like watching a big college basketball game. My wife has learned to just stay far away from me until it's over.

The one bit of good news is that my entire company is almost all pro-Bush. So if Kerry wins, I won't have to listen to any assholes rubbing it in. Everyone will be in mourning with me.

Post by **godhugh** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 9:02 am

YellowKing wrote:
The one bit of good news is that my entire company is almost all pro-Bush. So if Kerry wins, I won't have to listen to any assholes rubbing it in. Everyone will be in mourning with me.

Heh, I live in Texas, so if Kerry wins I'm going to be one of those assholes

.

I typically just sit down in my pomposan chair and flip between all the stations. I'm usually not nervous about it, but I sure as hell will be tomorrow.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 9:12 am

We have a Bible Study at our house on Tuesday night. I'm not sure who a lot of the folks are voting for as we don't do politics much. It seems appropriate that we are into Romans 13.

Anyway, I am sure some people will hang out to watch some results. I know there are a couple Kerry supporters but am pretty sure it is a mostly Bush camp. Should be fun regardless.

The Meal · Post by **The Meal** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 1:18 pm

Last presidential election I went to a Fatboy Slim concert. When they still hadn't called the winner on the radio on my ride home (about an hour drive) I sat in my carport and listened until I couldn't stay up any more.

Ironically enough, I don't have broadcast TV available this time around either, so I may either be getting my results here on the forums or by listening to the radio while doing something else. I doubt any of us are going to sleep that night with rock-solid information as to whether we'll have a 44th president or not.

~Neal

Defiant · Post by **Defiant** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 1:21 pm

RunningMn9 · Post by **RunningMn9** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 1:23 pm

In the dark, completely nude.

Mr. Sparkle · Post by **Mr. Sparkle** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 1:24 pm

The Meal wrote:Last presidential election I went to a Fatboy Slim concert. When they still hadn't called the winner on the radio on my ride home (about an hour drive) I sat in my carport and listened until I couldn't stay up any more.

Ironically enough, I don't have broadcast TV available this time around either, so I may either be getting my results here on the forums or by listening to the radio while doing something else. I doubt any of us are going to sleep that night with rock-solid information as to whether we'll have a 44th president or not.

~Neal

I don't have broadcast TV either, so I will most likely listen to NPR and surf the web to keep updated.

I also may be drinking, so fair warning there.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 6:25 pm

I usually find myself in a bar. This year I might go bowling.

I like to be at a place with a TV, but I don't watch it. Just check for updates or ask someone who is.

Captain Caveman · Post by **Captain Caveman** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 6:55 pm

Ralph Nader = Herb Sendek

Tareeq · Post by **Tareeq** » Mon Nov 01, 2004 7:01 pm

Captain Caveman wrote:Ralph Nader = Herb Sendek

Spoiler?

Loser?

Or just bad hair?