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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, 1 November, 2012

Mike McRoberts, Patrick Gower Lead 3 News’ US Election Coverage

3 News anchor Mike McRoberts and Deputy Political Editor Patrick Gower will be on the ground in the USA to cover the year’s most important global political event, as America goes to the polls to elect the next President of the United States.

TV3’s comprehensive election coverage includes a Wednesday 7 November special hosted by Guyon Espiner, as well as special editions of Firstline, 3 News’ 6pm bulletin and Nightline.

MediaWorks TV Director of News and Current Affairs Mark Jennings says: “The President of the US, despite the rise of China, is still the world's most powerful person and the phrase ‘when America sneezes the rest of us catch a cold’ still holds true.

“Having Mike and Paddy on the Campaign trail means 3 News will make sure Kiwis are informed on the latest developments as America decides its direction for the next four years.”

With the presidential campaigns in their final week, political specialist Patrick Gower is in the US, taking the temperature of the American electorate in what he calls ‘the ultimate political battleground”. Gower is reporting daily across all 3 News programmes and online at dedicated news site 3News.co.nz/AmericaDecides.

As they head into the final 48 hours, he’ll be joined by Mike McRoberts who will be at Boston, reporting LIVE from the Republican campaign headquarters, while Gower continues his coverage from Chicago, home to the Obama campaign.

3 News anchor Mike McRoberts says the eyes of the world are on the closely fought race between President Barak Obama and Republican Mitt Romney, and it’s important that New Zealanders understand the implications closer to home.

“With the volatile times we’re experiencing globally, both financially and politically, the US is still the dominant player. Whether we like it or not the path the US takes on these many issues often dictates how its allies and friends (NZ included) react,” he says.

“This will be a very close contest fought for over a few pivotal states. Around 40 of the 50 states have already been decided. The south and centre have become overwhelmingly Republican and the eastern and western seaboards are largely Democrat. That makes the remaining 10 states fascinating battlefields”.

On Election Day, as the results come in on Wednesday, November 7 (NZT), coverage begins with Firstline at 6am, crossing LIVE to McRoberts in Boston and Gower in Chicago for the latest developments. Coverage continues throughout the day, on 3 News bulletins and at 3news.co.nz.

At 4pm, Guyon Espiner hosts a special edition of international current affairs programme Three60, with updates from Mike McRoberts and Patrick Gower, and expert analysis from a New Zealand studio panel featuring journalist Tracey Barnett, and Professor Ted Zorn, pro-Vice Chancellor of Massey University (both Americans resident in New Zealand).
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From 6pm, 3 News will again be LIVE with Mike McRoberts in Boston, and Patrick Gower in Chicago leading 3 News’ 6pm bulletin, while Nightline will have a comprehensive wrap of the day’s events.

3 NEWS – AMERICA DECIDES
Wednesday 7 November, 2012

6am Firstline Special with LIVE reports from Mike McRoberts and Patrick Gower
4pm Three60 Special hosted by Guyon Espiner and featuring McRoberts and Gower
6pm 3 News has full coverage of the election with anchor Mike McRoberts LIVE in Boston, and Patrick Gower LIVE in Chicago

For continuous updates and breaking news, visit 3News.co.nz/AmericaDecides.

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