Are the networks biased ? “ Calling ” states in the 2000 presidential election ∗

Among the controversies arising from the 2000 Presidential election was the accusation that media networks called, or projected, a winner faster in those states won by Albert Gore than in those states won by George W. Bush. We investigate this accusation by estimating a Tobit model of the length of time between states’ poll closing times and the times at which CNN projected a winner. Our results support the charge of media bias. After controlling for other factors that affect how quickly a state is called, states called for Gore were called 14 to 18 minutes faster than those called in favor of Bush.