For TV newshounds, it has been both the best and worst of times. But documenting the battle between Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush has also led broadcasters to their biggest mistakes in recent memory, tarnishing the triumphs. But the rush to provide information also led to big mistakes, nowhere more evident than the two mistaken calls handing Florida first to Gore and then Bush on Election Night. It's like we've got this car that goes 200 miles per hour, and we haven't found a good way to drive it yet.
Many analysts say no.
Even though talking heads fought partisan battles during cable's endless stream of talk shows, the decisions over who actually won Florida seemed to stem from political and legal considerations that far outweighed public portrayals. After this, we'll talk a lot about whether news coverage swayed public opinion. But these judges seemed to be making their decisions based on the law and their opinions, not the public's perception. So people could understand the Supreme Court's ruling a little better. Frank Sesno, Washington bureau chief for CNN, shrugged off criticisms about TV coverage, saying the biggest impact from television's focus on the Florida battle may come in prompting electoral reforms, both in Florida and nationally.