Self-Deception and Rationalization: The View from BS Mountain

I didn’t watch it live so I was saw it with some hindsight bias. E.g. behind the scenes Rove was in contact with the Romney campaign who did wanted Ohio NOT to be called (http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/11/how-rove-fought-with-fox-over-ohio.html). He tried to do their bidding. Rove had to know that when the networks unanimously call a state early the evidence has to be super solid. So, he knows he’s just causing trouble. The Fox News desk should also trust their stats guys over Rove plus they should also know everyone else has called OH for Obama. But they are caught up in their own spin and don’t just relay the stats desk response to Rove. Megyn Kelly’s phrase about “using math to make yourself feel better” is right on the spot and I think the Fox news stats guys come out of this very well. Megyn Kelly walks back to the grungy back office – also great TV. So, I think it is both riveting and fodder for Jon Stewart. Here’s anotrher account: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/08/us/politics/roves-on-air-rebuttal-of-foxs-ohio-vote-call-raises-questions-about-his-role.html