Fuzzy Math
By
Lori Robertson
Lori Robertson (robertson.lori@gmail.com), a former AJR managing editor, is a senior contributing writer for the magazine.
Was President George W. Bush's address to Congress in late February a success? Judging by the number of times the politicos interrupted him with applause, yes. And many U.S. news organizations pointed out just how often the audience clapped. But once you get to, say, 80, it's hard to remember if you ticked off that latest round or not, right?
Right.
"He drew applause 88 times." > Washington Post
"...thanks to 87 interruptions for cheers and applause." > Boston Globe
"Bush, interrupted by applause 86 times...." > USA Today
"They interrupted him with applause 85 times during his 50-minute address." > Fresno Bee
"...which was interrupted for applause 76 times." > Washington Times
"The president's speech was interrupted by applause. We count them, 82 times. I never know what it means, but we always count them." > Diane Sawyer on ABC's "Good Morning America"
Others played it safe with:
" at least 87, " Dallas Morning News
" at least 88, " CBS News
" nearly 90, " Reuters
The San Antonio Express-News must have grown tired of counting and went with " more than 50."
So, in the name of accuracy, two loyal AJR editorial assistants, Christopher Sherman and Jason Garcia, rolled the videotape for a recount. The result? 88 full-fledged rounds of applause. (NBC's "Today" and ABC News' report following the speech got it right as well.) Three episodes of one person clapping and one boo with a few weak claps didn't make the official count. ###
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