Originally Posted By velo Wasn't Obama inaugurated on a work day as well? I had to work, and so did my husband. It was a school day (although I kept the kids out in the morning to watch the oath and speech).
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I don't know how Nielson computes these things. I know my whole office watched, and I'm sure we're not counted by Nielson since we're not a home. Just about everyone I know watched either at work, at home, or on the internet. And Nielson says only 38 million watched? They're not counting a LOT of people, almost certainly.
Originally Posted By mele Also, many offices and stores had large groups watching but Nielson wouldn't be able to compute those accurately. Most of the buildings on the WA Microsoft campus have huge commons areas where large groups can watch large screen tvs. Tens of hundreds of people were watching single screens. I was at Starbucks and there were about 15 people who were there just to watch their tv. Still, this is such a lame topic. It's kind of creepy that someone would feel so inferior that they would have to post these types of threads to somehow diminish what happened on Tuesday.
Originally Posted By DAR <<And Nielson says only 38 million watched? They're not counting a LOT of people, almost certainly.>> Does anyone know how the tivo factor plays in?
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 "I don't know how Nielson computes these things. I know my whole office watched, and I'm sure we're not counted by Nielson since we're not a home. Just about everyone I know watched either at work, at home, or on the internet. And Nielson says only 38 million watched? They're not counting a LOT of people, almost certainly." It was the same for me and every single friend I talked to. At my job, we all gathered in the conference room and watched it. Some of my friend were in restaurants watching on TV's there. Plus, Times Square was packed like New Year's Eve watching on the Jumbotron. So, I'm sure there were many similar situations accross the country. Not to mention the internet. In fact, when i tried to log on earlier in the morning, I had to wait in a queue to watch streaming video, on two different sites, including FOX News!! So, I'm sure the ratings are quite a bit off...
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 Oh, and another friend in Brooklyn said that he went to a theater near BAM, that could seat 500, and he was turned away because it was full. Also, the Hammerstein Ballroom, which is another very large theater in Manhattan was showing it, and packed full of people.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I know this is going to shock a lot of people here but it was a work day and I did not watch the event - nor did most of the people I work with. I read the text of the speech on line later in the evening I don't know how they calc'd the 38M but unless it is disparate from the way they calc'd the Reagan event- there would be similarities in any discrepancies --
Originally Posted By plpeters70 <<there would be similarities in any discrepancies>> Except for calculating the Internet or TiVo effects - which didn't exist in Reagan's time. And I think those are valid things to consider if someone really wants to determine whose Inaguaration was most watched. (Though I really don't know why anyone would really care that much!)
Originally Posted By ecdc ^^^^Exactly. It seems as if there's this strange need to prove that Obama really isn't that popular. People are starting with the assumption that Obama supporters see him as the Messiah, something they've yet to actually prove with a single quote. But since they start with that assumption, they think they can rain on the parade by insisting that Reagan had more people watch his. Maybe Reagan did, maybe he didn't. I don't know and I don't care. But it's impossible to determine how many people actually watch an event today. It can't be done, so why are we having the conversation at all.
Originally Posted By alexbook I'm surprised nobody's brought this up before: On January 20, 1981, there was actual *news* going on. Didn't the networks have the inauguration and the release of the American hostages in Iran on split screens?
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder You're likely right about that, I do seem to remember that.
Originally Posted By Sara Tonin And what happens if I go home tonight and watch my recording of it another 60 million times? And what do the numbers have to do with anything anyway? I haven't heard one PRESIDENT Obama supporter alude to him as a messiah. The right wing conservatives keep telling us what we think. Why assign evil motives to a fellow American without REALLY hearing their side? The man who's bicentennial we are celebrating this year spoke of "our better angels". Let's try to demonstrate our better angels to our brother and sister citizens, even our fellow earthlings.
Originally Posted By DyGDisney At the schools they watched it in each classroom with 20 to 34 kids in each. Also, many of the classes watched it via internet with a computer overhead. At my husband's work they watched it in large groups in common areas. Was Reagan's inauguration on a weekend? Someone mentioned how this was a weekday. In the end, whether more or fewer people watched this time, it doesn't really matter.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^Exactly. It seems as if there's this strange need to prove that Obama really isn't that popular or the strange need to defend each and every thing and prove Obama to be superior,or not at fault even when he's not accused of being it's a two way street as farasthe messiah treatment - there have been posters here from the Obama campthat have admitted recently that this does occur among some-- no one ever said all the broad brushes need to be put away except for the fact that both Reagan and Obama bring messages of hope andchange - likely why both are so popular- who cares on the exct total - it can be debated ad infinitum as to the effects -- has anyone checked the weather onboth days, was the moon in Aquarius, was it an even of odd day-- I mean geez already
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I'll tellyou - for those who will suffice with nothing less 310M people watched the Obama Innauguration in the US - yes more than the population because some had their TV and Computer tuned in. He's also popular among pets ( btw - where is that pound dog?) He is the undisputed champion -never has anyone been so popular. Reagan was a hack... There, now we can move on ......
Originally Posted By mele Gee, thanks for finally admitting that vbdad. I know that was hard for you to admit but don't you feel so much better now?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <I haven't heard one PRESIDENT Obama supporter alude to him as a messiah< then you honestly aren't watching the news andthe people interviewed at the innauguration and other events. No it is not all- it is not a,majority,but it is a vocal minority he has been annointed by some as the second coming.....btw, I know some of these people and they are annoying as hell. In my case these people are wannabe liberals ( my term ) - who wantto appear more 'sensitve' than they really are.... just as there are those who still believe Bush did a good job,there are those who think Obama can do absolutely nothing wrong -- both groups out of touch
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt Methinks that we have some members of the right wing fringe amongst us. I could be wrong, but it sure seems that way. All this hating is really unnecessary. What has Obama and his supporters done that have these guys panties in such a twist?
