On with Kara Swisher

How John King Gets Ready for Election Night

Nov 7, 2022

John King, a seasoned CNN political reporter, shares insights into the high-pressure world of election night coverage. He discusses how he preps for the iconic 'Magic Wall' and the strategies for making crucial election calls. The conversation dives into the impact of misinformation on social media, adaptability during unpredictable voting trends, and the pressures of transparent reporting. King also reflects on the importance of integrity in elections amidst a divided political landscape.

58:18

Episode guests

John King

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

Voting, Milestones, and Misinformation

10min

Anticipation and Advertisements: Election Night Preparations

3min

Navigating Election Night Uncertainty

17min

Exploring Death and Political Futures

6min

Divided Politics and Electoral Integrity in America

5min

Navigating Change and Chronic Illness

14min

Kara is nervous about the elections — and she should be, control of the House and of the Senate is up for grabs, as are 36 governorships. She and Nayeema discuss the big day ahead, and specifically how social media and misinformation may sway results.

They then turn to our guest today — the man who will be sharing those results with us, at least on CNN. John King and Kara talk about how he prepares to helm the “Magic Wall” and talk millions of viewers through the red and blue board. They go beyond the horse race and inside the pressure and process for making calls at CNN.

Stay tuned for the end of the episode when Kara answers a listener question about her spirituality and Nayeema surmises the sunglassed-one’s Holy Trinity (it’s not what you think).

If you want Kara’s advice, call 1-888-KARA-PLZ and leave a message.

You can find Kara and Nayeema on Twitter @karaswisher and @nayeema. Oh yes, and if you’re eligible: GO VOTE!

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