ANALYSIS : The Election Night Coverage That Wouldn’t Die

Election night coverage by the local television news outlets started at 4:30 p.m. with a KFMB-TV (Channel 8) reporter asking the registrar of voters about results--3 1/2 hours before the polls closed. Eight hours and 4 million shots of Pete Wilson voting later, Dianne Feinstein declared the evening a “triathlon of politics that just keeps going on and on.”

She got that one right.

It was an evening that would not end, full of such scintillating television moments as KFMB-TV (Channel 8) reporter John Culea complaining about the price of ginger ale at candidate Feinstein’s headquarters and Mayor Maureen O’Connor at Election Central doing an interview wearing one of KNSD-TV’s (Channel 39) Klingon Commander headsets.

This was the Halloween of Election Nights. There was no full moon, but mysterious technical glitches were commonplace. And, as much as they tried to convey the drama of events, early in the evening the television reporters found themselves repeatedly warning viewers that actual results in many key races probably wouldn’t be available until the next day.

The three network-affiliated stations hung on with minute-by-minute coverage until 1 a.m. before deciding that people weren’t going to get anything definitive in the key races for many hours.

A delay in counting votes and several close races put the television stations in the unusual position of having to interpret events as they happened, instead of simply reporting projected winners. It’s not their best role.

As usual, the television news operations paid annoyingly little attention to the so-called minor local races, such as the school board seats, and their analysis of events was often contradictory and more confusing than helpful.

Channel 8 was the station to watch early in the evening, buoyed by CBS’s coverage of the national races, it provided the only in-depth national coverage carried locally. The top-notch CBS coverage featured graphics more fun than a Dragon’s Lair game, and Channel 8 was able to insert lengthy local updates between 5:30 and 8 p.m.

Known to some local observers as “Lazy 8”--and not simply because of its new logo with a tilting 8--Channel 8 put a surprisingly complex effort into its election night coverage, even preparing special folksy music to introduce its coverage.

Noticeably absent from Channel 8’s election team was anchorman Stan Miller, who was back in the studio supplying updates on the L.A. fire. Instead, Hal Clement was the point man for Channel 8’s coverage, and he managed the role effectively.

Susan Roesgen, not Miller, got to sit next to Clement and look interested. She had her share of miscues, including referring to Jeff Marston as the “man who may be the next assemblyman,” which missed several subtle points, primarily that Marston was the incumbent.

In general, Channel 8’s coverage was solid, although a telephone poll asking people if they thought it was too difficult to vote in California seemed particularly inane.

On the other hand, Channel 8 won the battle of the analysts with UC San Diego professor Sam Popkin. He was glib and articulate, and more than willing to share his insights. Although Channel 8 rarely bothered to explain his background and qualifications, Popkin was able to talk in Politico Speak, using phrases like “gender lines,” without sounding silly.

For its analyst, Channel 39 wheeled out former mayor and KSDO-AM talk show host Roger Hedgecock, who also was credible and knowledgeable.

Channel 39’s coverage, like those of its competitors, was the basic Election Night television fare, with little depth, relying heavily on the analysis of its own reporters and obligatory interviews with candidates and politicos, who went from station to station in a local version of smarm on parade. As usual, main anchorman Marty Levin gave Channel 39 extra credibility, but it was not one of his better nights, as he harped on redundant points and cut off guests.

In general, Channel 10, which says it “stands for San Diego,” did little to stand out. Its updates throughout the evening were hard to find, spaced between ABC’s situation comedies, and the station did not start its complete reports until 10:30, long after channels 8 and 39 were already into full-blown coverage.

However, Channel 10’s Election Central team of Herb Cawthorne, Jack White and John Beatty provided some amusing moments. As the evening progressed things got testy, as Beatty had trouble concealing his exasperation with Cawthorne’s pontifications.

California voters “said no to virtually everything,” Cawthorne said at one point.

“Except for those that they passed,” Beatty shot back.

In the studio, Channel 10’s new anchor Stephen Clark didn’t have much to add to any of the conversations, but he proved a calm, unflappable and capable switchboard for the evening’s coverage. He was almost too cool, sporting a grin throughout the evening.

Nothing about the evening’s events seemed terribly interesting to KUSI-TV (Channel 51), the new kid on the news block, which, despite its claims to be the bastion of serious news, practically abstained from election night activities. Channel 51 varied little from its usual schedule, providing uninformative updates during the evening and a slightly lengthened 10 p.m. newscast (although it did carry Wilson’s San Diego speech).

Channel 51’s minimalist coverage was anchored by Roger Grimsby, who has a knack for making the most exciting events seem mundane. Poor George Reading was the Channel 51 anchor at Election Central, struggling with a slew of technical problems and a hand-held microphone as he sat behind the makeshift set decorated by plants, as if plants would give Election Central a homey feel.

While Channel 51 struggled with basic coverage, the other stations focused on following Wilson. Exciting races throughout the country and a wealth of intriguing local races were practically ignored while the stations waited for the gubernatorial candidates to do something, anything.

Channel 8’s Culea at Feinstein’s headquarters provided some lighter moments, including getting stood up for an interview by former Gov. Jerry Brown and endearing himself to Lt. Gov. Leo McCarthy by welcoming him on camera with, “We’re trying to fill time.”

Truer words were not spoken the entire night.