Reply #92: I agree. "To the winner goes the spoils" is definitely not a justification...

[krkaufman]

... but stepping on a concession speech lacking concession or congratulations, if I've heard correctly, would seem perfectly reasonable.

My history tells me that the victor gives a victory speech, and the loser(s) give concession speeches. That's the way it has worked. The networks don't have an obligation to carry any of the speeches, but I expect that they're operating under this old premise.

As for the Obama campaign starting early, I doubt that they felt they needed to sit back, following their victory, and listen to their candidate be denigrated. If the Clinton camp opted to breach traditional conduct, the Obama campaign can't really be faulted for responding.