Midterm Elections Coverage

            The 2014-midterm elections brought with it a great amount of hype and build from the media. Many outlets provided extensive coverage and analysis as the polls closed across the country, making predictions and observations as the night went on. I, myself, watched CNN most of the night. The first thing I thought was odd that CNN did was their use of the Empire State Building in New York City in revealing which party controlled the Senate. As Wolf Blitzer explained, whichever party reached the 51-seat majority, the building would illuminate in their party’s color. I thought this was odd because I questioned how other countries would view this. Most industrialized countries do not have two-party governments, so their elections are most likely much more hectic and open. I envisioned other countries viewing this act with the building as a similar action, say, after a revolutionary group gains control over an oppressive government. I may have been the only person to think this way, but I found it odd for CNN to use the Empire State Building as a symbol of our governmental power struggle.

            Another interesting thing I noticed throughout the night was the speed at which CNN and other media outfits were able to make predictions on races and call them one way or another. For example, the Pryor-Cotton race was called by CNN as soon as the polls closed in Arkansas. CNN frequently cited exit polls throughout the night, so I assume that the exit polls had a large part to do with these early predictions, as well as early voting and absentee voting.

            As soon as the Republicans reached 51 seats, it seemed as though analysts began to debate how President Obama would work, or not work, with a Republican Congress. I would not be surprised if this were to be the topic of discussion among political media outlets for the next year or two; or at least until talks of 2016 begin to seriously rise to the surface.