I’m all excited about Super Tuesday today; I called my mom about something else, and we ended up talking for 10 minutes about everyone’s chances in today’s primaries, and whether this will settle both the Democratic and Republican nominations or if they’ll go on to the bitter end; i.e contested conventions.

Apparently a lot of America agrees. According to The Associated Press, “an ABC News-Washington Post poll taken last week found Americans nearly as excited about Super Tuesday (37 percent) as they were about the Super Bowl (40 percent).”

Well, the Super Bowl certainly turned out to justify everyone’s expectations of excitement (I rooted against the Pats because of SpyGate, if you care), and I think today will too.
It’s inspiring to see how many people care about the primaries, which will actually affect most people’s lives a lot more than any game.

The media, of course, is piling on as much as possible; it’s in their interest to increase the excitement, especially since this is a contest where no network could buy exclusive broadcast rights. The cable networks resumed Super Duper chatter as soon as the football was finished, and most of the broadcasters have been doing the same.

I had to laugh, though, when I read about ABC’s coverage plans. After the evening news, as soon as “Jeopardy” and “Wheel” are done, they’re slating five hours of election coverage. ABC News President David Westin says, “I am genuinely proud of the network and the company for stepping forward this way... I think it’s the right call and the right thing to do.”

I have to take this with tongue in cheek. Sure, it’s an exciting race, with both parties’ nominations contested, but would it really be getting this much play in what should be sweeps month if the writers’ strike weren’t still going on? You can’t tell me that ABC’s plans would be the same if “Lost” ran on Tuesdays instead.

Posted by
Patricia Matson