General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe reasoning for not calling the race has gone beyond math
and veered into the realm of self-sustaining rationalization. It is more comfortable for the media not to take a stand, and it's not as important for them that they provide the factual clarity our country needs for a healthy political transition.
There is simple inertia influencing them now, but you can also see cowardice in their endless search for reasons not to declare Biden our next president.
This is a very serious abdication of their responsibility to our democracy. They need stronger character than this.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)VMA131Marine
(4,139 posts)Bidens victory in PA is not yet a mathematical certainty no matter how much you want it to be. The margin is very small compared to the number of votes to be counted. Biden is very likely to win, but thats not the same as if he were certain to win, so it hasnt been called.
Georgia isnt going to be called until after the recount.
Statistical
(19,264 posts)If that was the standard the overwhelming majority of states would not have been called on election night.
Virginia was called when Trump was leading Biden and 30% of the ballots were still outstanding.
The standard never has and never will be absolute mathematical certainty. Not calling these states now is very ATYPICAL. You we can certainly debate on if this unprecedented level of absolute mathematical certainty is warranted but let's not pretend this is normal.
GA likely can't be called and probably won't until we get the final results after a recount but the other three certainly can. Calling AZ, NV, and PA would be 290 EV for Biden and provide some clarity and closure to move forward.
Captain Zero
(6,805 posts)With like 10% counted.
VMA131Marine
(4,139 posts)They look at the result in key precincts compared to previous elections and polling data and if everything looks as expected they make the call.
coti
(4,612 posts)Wisconsin could be recounted and is still being counted, and conceivably recountable states have always been counted as if the known figures are 100% accurate in the past.
And even if it was just AZ and NV, Biden got 270 EVs.
It's over. People need to stop reaching and searching for unsubstantiated reasons not to call the race.
Prince99
(53 posts)Georgia will be called, they don't hold back on threat of recount. It's up to the other party to prove a discrepancy. Validation is a different thing, if a recount is launched.
radius777
(3,635 posts)So if the margin is a few thousand, the probability is near zero that the result will be overturned. Thus the networks can safely make a projection.
VMA131Marine
(4,139 posts)I guarantee that nobody will call the state until it is completed.
Totally Tunsie
(10,885 posts)Thekaspervote
(32,767 posts)AZ was the spoiler and althou the AP hasnt retracted it Bidens lead there fell so now they are skittish. Theres no reason not to call NV true. GA too close to call
Statistical
(19,264 posts)Maybe a network wants a 20K lead but no state EVER calls anything. States simply report the results as they happen and when they are finished.
getagrip_already
(14,750 posts)The only people calling anything are the news outlets. It has a great deal of impact though. It can shut down a campaigns attempts to sow confusion and make wild claims.
Call it already damnit. PA is not in doubt.
Spider Jerusalem
(21,786 posts)Towlie
(5,324 posts)Someone here accused you of peddling right-wing talking points but I can't see it.
Response to Towlie (Reply #9)
marybourg This message was self-deleted by its author.
coti
(4,612 posts)but sometimes I use terms (purposely) that lead suspicious people who don't follow my reasoning to question me like that. Not the first time around here. However, I can assure you that my Democratic bona-fides meet or exceed those of 90% of the people here.
BannonsLiver
(16,387 posts)If these networks are going to insist on every mangled coffee stained and provisional ballot being counted before they can make a call. Takes a long time to work through those.
coti
(4,612 posts)alittlelark
(18,890 posts)The US and state govt's are slow rolling results to get appropriate Nat Guard, police etc in position. They have planned this for months, but did not know the states that would decide the election.
Local Govt officials in the undecided states are certainly involved. The 'deciders' at the major networks are likely also involved. History shows us major news networks will bow to the will of FBI, CIA etc concerning National Security issues.
They are doing this smartly.
Trumpanzees will swing down out of the trees. Let our nations security forces have some time to prepare - just in case.