Draft:CLINTON/BOB DOLE crossword puzzle

The New York Times crossword puzzle published on Tuesday, November 5, 1996, was written by Jeremiah Farrell and edited by Will Shortz. This day's puzzle is famous for ...

The puzzle
The "CLINTON/BOB DOLE" puzzle is The New York Times crossword puzzle published on Tuesday, November 5, 1996, the day of the 1996 United States presidential election. It was written by Jeremiah Farrell and edited by Will Shortz. The puzzle is famous for being a "Schrödinger" (a puzzle with more than one correct answer) that ostensibly predicts the winner of the election: 39-Across could fit CLINTON or BOB DOLE.

The joint clue for 39- & 43-Across read: "Lead story in tomorrow's newspaper (!)"; ELECTED went in 43-Across. Additional theme entries included 17-Across "Forecast": PROGNOSTICATION, and 68-Across "Title for 39-Across next year": MISTER PRESIDENT.

Construction and publication history
On Sunday, November 3, prior to the puzzle's publication, Shortz told NPR's Weekend All Things Considered: "Well, this Tuesday in the Times there is, I think, one of the most amazing crosswords ever made. It's by Jeremiah Farrell of Indianapolis. And if you can't get the paper, you can get the puzzle on the New York Times website, but the gimmick is spoiled a little there. So, it's better in the paper."

Reception
ABC World News Tonight discussed the puzzle that night.

This puzzle was featured in the 2006 documentary film Wordplay, which also featured interviews from Clinton and Dole about this crossword.

Shortz has repeatedly called this this all-time favorite crossword.

(Re-)Publication
The New York Times:



The New York Times Crossword online:



The New York Times crossword books:



Other crossword books: