I suspect every person reporting on the election would like to be part of the team that was the first big outlet to call the 2020 election. It’s obvious this is historic and a huge honor to do.

The fact that we’re still waiting points to enormous fear and confusion for them too.

There’s a gulf in between “the numbers state the obvious” and “we’re ready to spark a potential wave of violence because we’re so certain the numbers and the other, less predictable elements of this situation point to only one possible outcome.”

A journalist’s job is to tell the truth above all else, but it is also a journalist’s job to seek certainty and guard the public good.

When unaccountable elements of chaos and a fear of violence come into the equation, I don’t know how things should proceed.

I think in many ways, these outlets are reaping what they sowed. They created a climate where this was possible. Unfortunately, so are all of us.

You don’t have to go easy on big outlets. But keep in mind the full scope of how bad things could get when that call happens.

This thread got dated fast. https://twitter.com/abbydphillip/status/1325111892487118849