For many journalists, Election Day is game day. It’s the day when
all the reporting through the caucuses, primaries, debates, conventions
and bitching mudslinging is paid off.
It’s the day when all eyes are journalists and that is why journalists like Election Day.
For journalists, Election Day means a long night of making calls to campaigns, supporters and free pizza (unless newsroom budgets have even eliminated this incentive or in this case). Duties also include calls to the winners and the cringing calls to the losers.
It’s a night of hourly constant deadlines of Web updates, guessing computing results and being the first to call a race while copy editors rub their temples over fluctuating inch counts and double checking headlines.
Election Day is also bittersweet because it means an end to another election season. That means no more endorsements, negative ads, polling or having a politician call back before deadline - at least for another six months.
After Florida in 2000, journalists are ready for anything. Even a McCain victory.
But journalists like elections because its one of the rare incidents when the people look to them for answers and results. Once every four years its journalists who get to decide when the fat lady has sung. It’s not over until journalists say it’s over. It’s journalists’ night to shine. Well, most of the time.
