Republicans Celebrate Election Victory,
Democrats Voter Turnout
By Theresa Cianciolo, 11.03.04
Norfolk, VA—At 3:30 a.m., the Bush/Kerry presidential election bore stark reminders of the Bush/Gore race four years ago. No concession from the Kerry camp, no victory speech from President Bush.
Voters and volunteers feared waking up to the same nightmare of the 2000 election that took months to resolve. But by 11:30 a.m., the day after the election, official declaration of Bush’s victory put an end to a long night.
Hampton Roads Democrats React to Local Results
A life-sized cardboard cutout of a smiling John Kerry watches over a room of 20 volunteers at the Hampton Roads Democratic Headquarters. Laminated posters are taped to cinderblock walls: “David Ashe for Congress,” “Cops for Kerry” and “Scott for Congress.” A colorful sign, reminiscent of the 70s “flower child” era reads: “We the People Say No to the Bush Agenda.”
“Things are looking good right now,” says Hampton Roads Democratic Party Chairman, Cardell Padillo.
It’s still early—8:30 p.m. A volunteer just handed Padillo the numbers for Park Place—a Democratic stronghold in Hampton Roads. It’s a coup in that district—Kerry-886, Bush-76.
But Padillo is more interested in how local candidates fare.
“Virginia is a Republican state,” he says as he reads from the same hand written note: “Scott-734, Sears-168. We’re doing good.”
This, says Padillo, despite losing much of his staff to other states.
“Kerry can win without Virginia, so they [the Democratic party] shifted a lot of my staff where they were needed. But we’ve already won. Look at that,” Padillo points to a framed picture of a large crowd outside Nauticus during Kerry’s Hampton Roads campaign stop. “Those are all volunteers. They came out and pulled us through this. I’ve never seen people come together like this. We’ve already won.”
Hampton Roads Republicans Gather Election Night
In the parking lot at the Holiday Inn in Virginia Beach, a bumper sticker on a convertible BMW reads: “Veterans for Bush.” A middle-aged couple walks toward the entrance holding hands. Each is wearing Bush/Cheney stickers on their shirt. As they near the building, the front doors slide open. The lobby is buzzing with supporters.
“The party is around that corner,” the reservations clerk says as she guides latecomers.
Two young women hand out stickers from large rolls—one for Bush/Cheney, the other for Thelma Drake. Dozens of supporters mingle outside the main room, eating vegetables and dip—the only food left at this hour. It’s 9:15.
Cheers erupt inside the large dining room where three hundred loyal republicans half-heartedly listen to Mark McKinney, Virginia Beach Republican Party Chairman.
“I want to thank each and every one of you,” McKinney says to his volunteers. “We were able to do our job, because you did your job,” he says to the volunteers.
Supporters begin to gather around the podium and pay closer attention to the next speaker. “It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you the first Republican Congresswoman from this district.” He pauses as the crowd begins chanting: “Thel-ma, Thel-ma, Thel-ma…”
“She did this in two months, while other candidates had a year,” he continues. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome your new congresswoman, Thelma Drake.”
The crowd explodes with applause.
Drake is brief, but grateful.
“First I want to thank my husband, Ted, my two wonderful children, Lynn and Mark and my entire family. I want to thank all of you dedicated volunteers,” Drake pauses as she returns mutual applause to the volunteers. “I am humbled by the trust you have placed with me.”
News photographers jump on the platform before Drake can walk off—they need close-ups for morning papers and broadcast cut-ins. Mark McKinney motions toward a quieter spot away from the crowd for a quick interview.
“Thelma won and the President carried the 2nd district. It’s up to the rest of the country now to follow our lead,” says McKinney. “When our candidate resigned, we called on Thelma. She did it, with the help of all of these volunteers, in 60 days.
“Oh, look,” McKinney says as he nods toward a television screen. Dozens of people have formed a semi-circle as they watch the numbers unfold. “52 percent of Florida—looks like we’ve got Florida. I don’t think he [Bush] can lose.”
Across the room, James McDonald stands alone. A private investigator, he’s used to blending. But not tonight—he’s one of few black supporters among the crowd.
“It’s been a long haul and I’m ready for it to be over,” McDonald says. “There’s been way too much media coverage, and way too much negative campaigning. I’m really tired of both of the parties trying to use us [black voters] as instruments to swing the vote—as if we can’t think for ourselves.”
The “victory” party at the Holiday Inn is almost cleared out by 11:00 p.m.
“The last thing I want to do is to go to bed and not know,” McKinney says.
But that’s exactly what happened.
While millions of Americans went to bed without a declared winner, the late morning delivered more promising news.
President Bush’s victory celebration was delayed by more than twelve hours as the Kerry/Edwards camp held to fading hope. After the President won Florida, the Kerry camp needed Ohio, which they did not win. President Bush took Kerry’s congratulatory call around 11:00 a.m.
Democrats lost the presidential race, and they lost some ground in congressional seats. Republicans again control the House and the Senate. Democrat Cardell Padillo is just glad it’s over.
“I had volunteers out knocking on doors early, getting people to the poles. It’s been a long few months, and we’re tired. We’ll be preparing for the next one,” Pidillo says. “Just the voter turnout and the record number of volunteers is reason enough to celebrate for now.”
