Media Rhetoric Journal

November 4, 2008

Late Afternoon on Campus

The MSU campus can be a bit sleepy late in the afternoon. I found a few students lounging in the fading sunlight. You wouldn’t know an election was taking place except for:

1. Listen carefully as you walk and you’ll catch bits of cell phone conversations in which words such as “Ohio,” “vote,” or a candidate’s name drift by on the evening breeze.

2. The last Obama die-hards are still working a table outside the union, giving away posters, stickers, and other swag to anyone who walks by. Not many are walking by. But they cheerfully stick to it.

3. A few students are watching the news on the public televisions in the union. The look like they’ve been planted there are all day intently waiting for something to happen.

This is worst time of election day — 4:30, 5:00, 5:30 — time stands still.

Official Greene County Watch Parties — News-Leader

Massive Turnout — Wall Street Journal

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Posted by acline | November 4, 2008 | Posted in: Rhetoric | Comments Off
November 4, 2008

Gadget Happy

The Huffington Post has a page of election results gadgets. I’ll be using it tonight to follow the results during the Springfield Bloggers live blogging event at the Patton Alley Pub beginning at 7 p.m. CST.

Emotional Reactions in Springfield — News-Leader

More on Long Lines — AP

More on Voting Perks — Daily News

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Posted by acline | November 4, 2008 | Posted in: Academia, Rhetoric | Comments Off
November 4, 2008

Still on the Prowl

I just finished lunch at Big Momma’s on Commercial Street. They make a great sandwich. Not much going on here. The talk I’m overhearing isn’t about the election — just people enjoying lunch and the mild weather.

When I first arrived, one of the guys behind the counter ways saying he wished they had a TV to watch the news. And a fellow dropped by my table to give me a key chain — election swag from KSGF radio.

Voter Suppression in Missouri — News-Leader

Voter Perks a No-no? — Washington Post

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Posted by acline | November 4, 2008 | Posted in: Rhetoric | Comments Off
November 4, 2008

Mid-morning Chatter

I spent almost two hours at the Mudhouse this morning. Lots of election chatter. Lots of people wearing “I Voted” stickers. Lots of stories about early long lines. I’m sensing mostly upbeat moods.

I’m striking out for other venues shortly (writing this in my downtown office). I need to check in on campus, then I’ll head up to Commercial Street for lunch and a bit of street prowling.

One thing I forgot to mention this morning: Folks in line were in a chatty mood. A neighbor of mine, a committed Republican, stood just behind me. We had a pleasant conversation about how Election Day ought to be a national holiday. Employees by law can take three continuous hours to vote. But, really, why not make it easy on everyone? Shouldn’t Election Day be a celebration? Perhaps we could encourage new traditions based on old practices, e.g. picnics and brass bands in public parks. Nothing partisan — purely communal. The weather here today is perfect for such a thing.

What to Watch For — Political Wire

Texting the Vote — Bloomberg

Long Lines Everywhere — NYT

Report on Local Exit Polling — News-Leader

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Posted by acline | November 4, 2008 | Posted in: Rhetoric | Comments (6)
November 4, 2008

Fast Start

I arrived at my polling place at 5:45 a.m. for the the 6:00 a.m. start. There were already 20 people in line. By the time the doors opened, I estimate there were 100 people in line. I estimate there were 200 people in line by the time I finished voting.

I’ll be heading downtown in about an hour to hang out at the Mudhouse, grade some papers, and surf the election coverage on the internet. If you’re local and want to catch up with me, try there first. You might also check my Facebook status.

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Posted by acline | November 4, 2008 | Posted in: Rhetoric | Comments (2)
November 3, 2008

On Tuesday

I gave my  Introduction to Journalism students an assignment to cover the election for their media blogs. They are to find an interesting, local piece of the election and tell that story. I’m planning to do something similar for Rhetorica.

The polls open at 6 a.m., and I will be there when the doors open. With my vote cast I’ll have fulfilled my basic responsibility as a citizen. I’ll then begin my coverage of the local scene and coverage of the news coverage.

I’ll be mobile. So if you’re a local reader, look for me prowling around town on my bicycle. I’ll have a DV and laptop with me. I’ll arrive at the Patton Alley Pub at 7 p.m. for the Springfield Bloggers live blogging event.

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Posted by acline | November 3, 2008 | Posted in: Journalism | Comments (2)

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