Presidential play   Inaugural sneak peek   Teens in the Bush era   Assuming power   Presidential roles   The power of the media   Capital career changes   D.C. debriefings   Past inaugurals   Promises of unity   Views from the sidelines   Web resources   Glossary   allpolitics coverage     Webcast basics   Webcast schedule   Unit overview   Lesson plans   Discussion/activities   Backgrounders   Ask an expert   Web resources   allpolitics coverage       Latest news   Archives   Back to mainpage

What happens when reporters
try to predict the future?

January 16, 2001
Web posted at: 2:23 PM EST (1923 GMT)

It didn't take long for the media to declare that George W. Bush's less-than-landslide-victory meant he would enter the Oval Office as a lame duck.

VIDEO Presidents and press corps often at odds Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

But history has shown that speedy judgments often force reporters to retract the statements they make about incoming presidents during the transition period.

Successes and stumbles during the early months as president tend to be flukes more than deliberate acts -- events that shouldn't be used to predict the effectiveness of a president.

After labeling former President George Bush as a wimp, the press retracted those statements indirectly by saying Clark Kent had turned to Superman.

CNN's Howard Kurtz looks at what happens when journalists try to be fortune-tellers.

Reno promises Ashcroft smooth transition
January 4, 2001
Senate panel opens confirmation hearings for commerce secretary
January 4, 2000
Senate moves toward power-sharing; deal 'still fluid'
January 4, 2001