Party Time for Obama and McCain Supporters
From all accounts, it seems that this election night in Washington is going to be a big party night—especially for the Democrats. "Everybody I talked to has been really interested in going out," says Elizabeth Mullins, an area vice president for the Ritz-Carlton. "People just want an excuse to blow off some steam." In years past, Mullins tells Whispers that most Washingtonians hunkered down at home to watch the results. This makes sense since so many members of Congress are in their home districts for election night. But this year, in part because of the historic nature of the race, there's a lot going on at area hotels, bars, and restaurants and they all have an assortment of election-themed specials. For example, at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C., each time a state is called for a candidate, either its "red" cocktails like the Elegant Elephant or its "blue" drinks including the Delicate Donkey go half-price at the Lobby Bar. And the party will attract both hotel guests and locals.
Then there are the more official political gatherings. While the big show for Barack Obama supporters will take place at Grant Park in the candidate's hometown of Chicago, the Democratic National Committee has booked the ballroom of the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel (yes, the Mayflower Hotel of recent Eliot Spitzer fame) for its Election Night shindig. The Democratic National Congressional Committee and the Democratic National Senatorial Committee will hold a joint bash closer to the Capitol at the Hyatt Regency Washington.
Progressive groups have events planned too. The Human Rights Campaign has rented out the entire Capitol City Brewing Company, a microbrewery on Capitol Hill, so that GLBT activists and friends can watch the results pour in. "This is potentially one of the most exciting elections in our lifetime, and I think people are really, really motivated, so we are expecting a huge crowd," says Margot Rosen, HRC's director of membership and community events.
And journos not covering the conclusion of this long race to the White House can dip into the National Press Club, where the results will be playing on HDTV at the "Reliable Source" bar and where cardboard cutouts of the candidates will be on display for picture taking.
So then what about the Republicans? Well, the Republican National Committee is planning a party at the Capital Hilton in Washington. But its congressional arms, the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee, will not be holding any official parties. Instead, NRSC Chairman Sen. John Ensign will be around to chat about the Senate races with reporters and the NRCC will hold a conference call sometime during the night. When we asked why House Republicans wouldn't be out partying, we were told that they would be spending Election Night working.
—Nikki Schwab
Tags: Democrats | Republicans | Barack Obama | John McCain | RNC | National Republican Congressional Committee | Human Rights Campaign
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Reader Comments
Cocaine , Scotch or a Lap Dance?
Will the sugar bowl at the Obama reception actually be filled with sugar ? Will the Escort service used by ex- Gov.Spizer give free BJs if Obama wins?
Bankrupting Coal Industry
The liberal media has become a force unto itself. That is not a good thing, but it is true. Reality will settle in, but in the meantime there will be a lot of pain and destruction, and the liberal media will find a way to blame somebody else, probably George. I guess the thing to remember is that there never was a guarantee that this country I love so much will survive.
Hidden Audio: Obama Tells SF Chronicle He Will Bankrupt Coal Industry
Hidden Audio: Obama Tells SF Chronicle He Will Bankrupt Coal Industry
By P.J. Gladnick (Bio | Archive)
November 2, 2008 - 07:26 ET
(Please read update about the San Francisco Chronicle neglecting to mention Obama's willingness to bankrupt the coal industry at bottom of this blog.)
Imagine if John McCain had whispered somewhere that he was willing to bankrupt a major industry? Would this declaration not immediately be front page news? Well, Barack Obama actually flat out told the San Francisco Chronicle (SF Gate) that he was willing to see the coal industry go bankrupt in a January 17, 2008 interview. The result? Nothing. This audio interview has been hidden from the public...until now. Here is the transcript of Obama's statement about bankrupting the coal industry (emphasis mine):
Let me sort of describe my overall policy.
What I've said is that we would put a cap and trade system in place that is as aggressive, if not more aggressive, than anybody else's out there.
I was the first to call for a 100% auction on the cap and trade system, which means that every unit of carbon or greenhouse gases emitted would be charged to the polluter. That will create a market in which whatever technologies are out there that are being presented, whatever power plants that are being built, that they would have to meet the rigors of that market and the ratcheted down caps that are being placed, imposed every year.
So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can; it's just that it will bankrupt them because they're going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas that's being emitted.
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That will also generate billions of dollars that we can invest in solar, wind, biodiesel and other alternative energy approaches.
The only thing I've said with respect to coal, I haven't been some coal booster. What I have said is that for us to take coal off the table as a (sic) ideological matter as opposed to saying if technology allows us to use coal in a clean way, we should pursue it.
So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can.
It's just that it will bankrupt them.
Amazing that this statement by Obama about bankrupting the coal industry has been kept under wraps until this time.
UPDATE: NewsBusters' Tom Blumer has found out that the San Francisco Chronicle story published on January 18 based upon this January 17 interview did not include any mention of Obama's willingness to bankrupt the coal industry which you can hear on the audio. You can read the story here when you scroll down to the "In His Own Words" section. Way to cover up for The One, SF Chronicle!
—P.J. Gladnick is a freelance writer and creator of the DUmmie FUnnies blog.
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