on the HORRIFIC possibilities if rmoney gets in NOT because of semantics of the language surrounding the electional outcome. Your concern is noted.

it is designed to fill air time, sell advertising and hold eyes on their broadcasts. It is in the media's interest to do so and that is the reasoning behind it. Look back to the GOP primaries and follow the progression of media circus through those.

Of course, you do make a legitimate point.

But if the media was really wanting to do that they could leave the last week free of any political coverage.

There, everyone goes and votes without knowing what the outcome is beforehand, and that one week of non-media interference in discussion allows people to have free and open discussion amongst themselves.

And so people don't say, "That hurts the freedom of speech and journalism." You could still allow the blogosphere to make its mind up.

Their motive of course is financial.

...they can totally report on stuff, just don't post polls.