"Dan-Isms"
Ashlee Simpson's Vocal Aid
DAN RATHER BRINGS A TOUCH OF HIS NATIVE TEXAN CHARM TO
THE 2004 ELECTIONS WITH A FRESH BATCH OF "DANISMS"
In addition to providing viewers with cautious estimates and insightful
analysis of the presidential, congressional, gubernatorial and key referenda
races across the country, CBS News anchor Dan Rather continues using those
unique similes and metaphors that have come to be known fondly around CBS
News as "Danisms."
The following is a collection of Rather's more noteworthy sayings from CBS
News 2004 Election coverage :
As he wraps up information so far at 7:26 PM: "Let's hit these biscuits with
a dab of gravy."
On Joe Lockhart's saying the big voter turnout will help Kerry: "Don't taunt
the alligator until you cross the creek."
On early Bush victories estimated in Southern states: "Bush is sweeping
through the South like a big wheel through a cotton field."
On Kerry and Bush's electoral vote counts getting tighter around 8:00PM:
"This race is hotter than the devil's anvil."
On the fact it's still early at 8:24 PM and key states not counted yet. "In
some ways, George Bush's lead is as thin as November ice."
At 8:30 PM as swing states undecided: "It don't mean a thing if they don't
get those swings."
On CBS News' estimating Kansas for President Bush: "Never gamble with a
stranger, never bet against a Republican in Kansas."
"When John Kerry wrote Santa Claus, he said give me [Kansas], please."
On Having been wrong trying to call Florida in the last election: "If you
try to read the tea leaves before the cup is done, you can get yourself
burned."
On Florida presidential contest: "This race is hotter than a Times Square
Rolex."
Around midnight: "Bush has the advantage. Let's see where it goes - around
and around it goes, where it stops, nobody knows."
On CBS News' estimated 246 electoral votes for Bush just before 1:00 AM: "If
you had to bet the double wide right now, you'd have to bet [Bush] wins."
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CBS News.2
On Iowa presidential count at 12:43AM: "It may yet come down to Iowa and
John Kerry has a lead as thin as turnip soup."
On the South Dakota contest that went to the Republican challenger Thune and
unseated Democratic Senator Tom Daschle after soft money fueled a
mud-slinging campaign: "Tough, rugged race out there, nasty enough to choke
a buzzard."
On the near dead heat in Iowa: "This race is hot enough to peel the paint
off houses."
"This situation in Ohio would give an aspirin a headache."
At 2:42AM when CBS News estimated the electoral vote at Bush 249 and Kerry
242: "If this race gets any closer, someone's going to have to call 911."
Rather remained on the air at the anchor desk until 6:00 AM ET Wednesday,
when CBS News 2004 Election coverage was picked up by THE EARLY SHOW. At
11:09 AM ET, CBS News broke into the network with a special report in which
Bill Plante reported Senator Kerry had conceded the re-election of President
Bush.
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