Why does the media keep calling this a "10 point win" when the PA website says 8.6?

[calmblueocean]

I heard Bill Press say repeatedly on the radio this morning that Hillary won by 10 percent, heard it on NPR, and the first sentence in the article on CNN's front page says, "Hillary Clinton won Pennsylvania's primary, beating Barack Obama by about 10 percentage points." But the PA website ( http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ ) says the difference is 8.6 percent.

Since when did it become okay just to make up numbers? Is there something I'm missing?

[Botany]

1. Because if you repeat something long enough the truth doesn't matter.

Remember powerful forces want Hillary to stay in the race.

[calmblueocean]

3. It's just so weird to see these major media sources lie so blatantly.

I mean, there's always spin going on, but these are objective numbers. How do you lie about numbers and get away with it? Doesn't seem like anyone even cares what the real numbers are, because 10% makes a better story than 8.6%.

[mod mom]

7. Will you call Steph and bring this up and ask them to find # of Provisional Ballots caste?

I'm on my way to Obama HQ to work on posters for IN. We'll be listening at the office :)

Great job on Sat on Bluestate Diner!

[NJmaverick]

2. The media is owned by republican corporations

That want to see Hillary continue to destroy the Democratic party

[calmblueocean]

8. Even Bill Press was doing it on the radio, though, and he's a liberal talk show host.

The Bill Press thing was amazing, too, because even when his correspondent corrected him, and Bill acknowledged it, he kept right on saying the 10% number throughout the rest of the morning.

[shadowknows69]

4. By about 10%?

WTF I would have been kicked out of Newswriting 101 for writing that headline.

[Buzz Clik]

5. Generous rounding, and the critical nature of a double digit win for Hillary.

Keep in mind that Hillary is setting the agenda for the media; that's no conspiracy, that's the way it is.

When she decides to quit, she'll quit. She decided that a double digit win was the equivalent of a huge victory, so the media grants her just that. But, that requires double digits. Round 54+ up to 55, round 45+ down to 45, and you have Hillary's magic double digit win.

Hillary is happy, and the media are delighted because they have 2 more weeks with no slow news days.

[wndycty]

6. You are right with 99.20% of precincts reporting its 8.6%

Will anyone call the press out on this?

http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/ElectionsInformation.aspx?FunctionID=13&ElectionID=27&OfficeID=1

[Tribetime]

9. I got 54.7 to 45.3=9.6% still under 10

wasn't 10 the expected amount anyway

[wndycty]

13. Actually its 54.3 to 45.7 which is 8.6, round that up and its only 9 still single digits

:kick:

[sonias]

21. Single digits, baby

Enough said on her spin.

But the media does want this race to keep feeding them "sound bites", so they're going to hype her win. Watch it grow. Last night she "survived" today it's going to be a decisive win.

Just like the MSM keeps saying she won Texas - well part of it. The part that counts - the total delegate count went to Obama. Hillary won the primary vote in Texas, but Obama won the caucuses and because her win on primary day was so narrow, he actually won Texas. But they keep saying Hillary won Texas like that's all there is to it. :grr:

If this race goes on to Denver, when the Texas delegation is called Obama wins the majority of the delegates - period.


Sonia

[calmblueocean]

14. Where are you looking? PA website says: 54.3 - 45.7 = 8.6 %.

If there's a more reliable, authoritative website than The Pennsylvania Dept. of State's Election Results @ http://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/, someone should say where it is and why.

[Tribetime]

16. still have on the Cnn site from last night maybe its off sorry

1,258,245 to 1,042,297

[BlooInBloo]

15. Um, that equals 9.4.

[Tribetime]

17. lol hey I just got up

[BlooInBloo]

20. :)

[Pryderi]

10. K&R!

[BlooInBloo]

11. 9.38...

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/4/23/3948/73381/0/501375

[Changenow]

22. If there is a rumor on Daily Kos

Why should the actual count of 54.3% - 45.7% matter?

[PassingFair]

12. K & R

People still think she "won" Texas, too.

Luncheons with Murdoch pay off!

[Mme. Defarge]

26. That really frosts me - n/t

[rurallib]

18. 10 point win keeps the race going - anything less could scuttle

their cash cow. The for profit press has a vested interest.

[RBInMaine]

19. The same reason they keep saying she won TX but Obama WON the 2-step and MOST delegates!

They are corporate whores. Can't listen to them !

[sonias]

23. Hey RBInMaine -we're on the same wavelength

I posted a similar comment above as "single digits". We know the truth. Obama won Texas - period!

:hi:


Sonia

[TorchTheWitch]

24. Why in the world is anyone surprised?

The MSM has lied out it's ass far worse than this for more years than I can remember and on a daily basis. Nothing new in that.

[stillcool]

25. Because they lie.

If they can lie us into war, they can lie about anything.

[Changenow]

27. It is so brazen too.

Unbelievable.

[stillcool]

28. The good thing is that the more..

blatant they are, the more apparent what they are doing is. I was very encouraged by the ABC backlash, and the other boomerang events that have occurred throughout this Primary season.