Why is CNN ALWAYS the LAST news source to project a winner?

[musicblind]

It seems like CNN is always the LAST channel to project a winner. Even during the 2004 election, and now in this one.

Again, AP predicts McCain wins. Wolf says "We at CNN, looking at the data we have, are not yet ready to make that projection."

MSNBC projects

and FINALLY CNN catches up.


Not complaining. Better safe than sorry, but what is the honest reason of all their reluctance?

[AGirl]

1. they called Gore the winner in Florida in 2000

and maybe they dont want to repeat the same mistake.

[onehandle]

5. Mistake? nt

[AGirl]

6. lol. right. Sorry

[NYCGirl]

2. Probably, the reason is 2000. NT

[jackson_dem]

3. To keep viewers tuned in as long as possible

They have a disincentive to call it early.

[AlinPA]

4. They don't have in-depth capabilities, they work mostly on "entertainment"

type "news", and their producers are focusing on emotional, celebrity oriented subjects.

[HughMoran]

7. THere was a CNN projection posted when MSNBC called for McCain

I think you picked a bad time to post this.

[musicblind]

8. really?

I was so sure that nbc news and cbs called it before cnn did?

[2rth2pwr]

9. 'cause CNN sucks. nt