Seven days...and a wager

Just seven days from right now, WWP [ever the Boy Scout] will be planted in front of the television with both a bottle of champagne and a Costco-supply of Kleenex. Question is: When will he need them?

WWP is guessing that the election won't end on November 2. But he's not the pessimist that others have become. In fact, WWP is willing to wager that the election will be over by the end of the following day, Wednesday, November 3. [And if you want to put a fine point on it, WWP guesses the moment will come in time for the East Coast network newscasts, which would make the moment somewhere near 3 PM PDT on November 3, 2004.]

How about you? When do you think the election will be "over"? WWP is willing to make a little wager on it. The Official Query is this: When do you think the election will end? Name the date and time [stated in PDT], and submit it to the comments below. State your reasons, if you like, though it's not necessary.

The pick closest to the actual time [either way, before or after, in real hours and minutes] takes a $25 contribution to the political party of the winner's choice. The time of victory will be defined as the moment the loser's concession speech begins. [Emphasis added.] Clear enough?

Submit your predictions...

Comments

[adams]

I predict November 17 at 2pm Eastern. Why? because that is one month before Dolly Parton comes to Portland. Seems like as good a predictor as any. Also, regarding Tuesday night in TeeVee tears and jeers land, I plan to be at the movies, watching some independent film (Testosterone, anyone?). I'm sure what ever happens on Tuesday night can happen without my eyeballs being subjected to the marketing of the networks...

[Scott]

November 2nd, 10:21 pm PST.

It's not going to be close enough for the lawyers to get in the way. But I still don't know who will be the winner.

[Jack Bog]

Define "over." Last time it appeared to be over at 11 p.m. on election night, then midnight, then 1 a.m.... And different news organizations will make the call at different times. Should we base it on when Fox calls it? 8c)

[Scott]

The time of victory will be defined as the moment the loser's concession speech begins.

This is what I based my guess on.

[Worldwide Pablo]

Yes, Scott [and Jack], that is right. We just went back and boldfaced that part of the original message, in case it was not clear to begin with.

[Eileen]

Kerry - November 4 noon PDT

[Worldwide Pablo]

Okay, it's been pointed out to WWP that on November 2, we will have switched to Standard Time. So WWP rules that all messages, including those before this, will be regarded as being stated in Standard Time, [Pacific Standard Time, unless otherwise stated]. Sorry for the mixup.

[Sheryl Anderson]

Wednesday, November 3, 12:11 p.m. (PST)

[Jack Bog]

Wednesday, Nov. 3, 6:14 a.m. PST. Kerry will win; Bush will call a 9 a.m. EST press conference, and be a little late while he adjusts the tinfoil spinal shield wadded up between his shoulder blades.

(PS: Sorry for being a dunce and not reading the original post carefully enough the first time.)

[Betsy]

OK...I'm doing the eternal optimist thing and say we'll have a concession speech by Bush no later than midnight PST.

[Isaac Laquedem]

As defined, I think it will end at 8:45 p.m. PST. The loser will wait until the polls have closed on the west coast, and the electoral result will be clear by then.

[Nikki NICKELL]

It ain't over 'til it's OVER....and that won't be until November 2008 [pass that box of Kleenex...Oh, hell, pass the bottle of champagne!] I'm only 100 miles from Canada; anybody else wanna go?