How Ridiculous

So, I thought the national media had learned their lesson back in 2000. Of course you remember this, when the presidential election wasn't decided for weeks, while recounts and stopping recounts went back and forth, until the Supreme Court finally decided to end it. Part of this was due to the fact that the media called Florida for Gore, an hour before all of the polls had closed in Florida, maybe discouraging people from going out and voting. So, in 2004, the anchors stayed back and didn't call any close state until they were sure who had actually won it.
TD and I turned on CNN yesterday to find them already calling the ENTIRE election for Obama. HUH? Are you kidding me? They are already calling the entire election before anyone even votes. They do throw out a few caveats, such as, people have to get out and vote first. How discouraging would this be? If you lived in a red state and wanted to vote blue, would it be worth it? How about the other way? What if your state was the color you wanted to vote? Why go at all. Back in Oregon, it was very simple. We got a ballot a few weeks ahead of time, voted in the comfort and convenience of our home and mailed it in. Here, we have to make an effort of actually going to a poll and waiting in line and voting. What's the point? And we have 19 more days to listen to this. So, if the next election is in another 4 years, does that mean the next candidates should start campaigning now?