Why do networks not have Ohio as lean Obama?

[LiberalJunkie]

I know that Ohio is a traditional swing state but can't they admit that Obama has been ahead in every poll and by pretty sizable margins?

[Lief 🗽]

The networks were still pretending the race was a toss-up last September as well.

[Mister Twister]

Isn't it obvious? They want the election to appear to be a tie because its more exciting that way. Putting Ohio as anything other than toss-up (even though we all know its not a toss-up) is bad for ratings

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

RCP has Ohio as Lean Obama as of yesterday.

[Jacobtm]

The same reason they kept waiting for results on election night '08 after Obama won Virginia.

Pretending like it isn't a foregone conclusion.

[Eraserhead]

The Washington Post has it listed as "Lean Obama" also.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2012/09/25/ohio-moves-to-lean-obama-on-fix-electoral-map/

I actually moved it to "Solid Obama" the other day on my map because there's really no way in hell Romney would carry it if the election were held today. Of course, if he can rebound, I'll move it again.

[Sasquatch]

Television ratings.

If people think this election is over, why would they tune in to their coverage?

[morgieb]

Television ratings.

If people think this election is over, why would they tune in to their coverage?

[old timey villain]

I'm one of those guys who trusts the media overall, but I have to admit that the horse race meme is frustrating. Everyday without fail, a poll will be released that looks great for Obama with maybe one sub category that is less favorable for him. When the news outlets report it, the headline always reads something like,

"Obama Widens Lead in 'X', but Romney Sees an Opening"

...even if that "opening" is a one point increase in his already crappy favorable rating.

The news outlets will always be hesitant to label Ohio as anything but a tossup for the reason above, and also due to its strong record as a swing state in nearly every recent election.

[Frodo]

The networks were still pretending the race was a toss-up last September as well.

It's a mixed blessing -on the one hand it will motivate more Democrats to turn out if they are under the impression it is a close race, and that therefore their votes will count more.  On the other, more Republicans could also vote. 

All things considered, we will benefit more from the media claiming this is a close race -we love Obama more than Republicans love Romney.  And there are more of us. 

[Biden 2024]

RCP has Ohio as Lean Obama. So does HuffPost.

[JFK-Democrat]

Chuck Todd said they were moving Ohio to lean Obama on NBC battleground map.

[President von Cat]

My favorite headline the other day was "Poor Economy May Give Romney an Opening".

Just found that to be one of the most ridiculous things to write. "Give him an opening?" Seriously after all this time, if Romney hasn't found an opening on the economy then forget about it already.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

The same reason they kept waiting for results on election night '08 after Obama won Virginia.

Pretending like it isn't a foregone conclusion.

It was over when they called Ohio for Obama.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

The same reason they kept waiting for results on election night '08 after Obama won Virginia.

Pretending like it isn't a foregone conclusion.

It was over when they called Ohio for Obama.

I think once PA was called at poll closing was the sign for me....

[5280]

I think most major networks have Ohio as a leaner for O.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I think most major networks have Ohio as a leaner for O.

They do now.

It took a little too long for the networks to say what we all knew... it's not about who is going to win, but who's leading, and it's been clear for weeks that Obama's had an outside the MoE lead there.

[GMantis]

Even Fox News has Ohio as lean Obama.

[opebo]

They aren't going just by polling, but by history and knowledge of Ohio.  And they'll soon be proved right by the Phone Lady racism phenomenon.

[Phony Moderate]

Liberal bias, obvs.