ABC election coverage co-anchor Diane Sawyer had difficulties on-air Tuesday night — enough to stoke the Twittersphere with claims that she was “drunk.”

Sawyer stumbled through some words leading up to the 11:00 p.m. EST hour, providing a few awkward moments for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who was a guest during the coverage.

New York Times media reporter Brian Stelter seemed to dismiss the idea that Sawyer had been knocking back a few during commercial breaks, and suggested she was just getting weary as the night wore on:

Diane Sawyer’s name is trending. Many people saying she seems drunk on air. Alternative theory: she gets this way when she’s really tired. — Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 7, 2012

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