Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.life From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Democratic corks were aged for giddy, victorious popping Date: Wed, 4 Nov 92 16:16:30 EST Message-ID: \SE D;LIFE \HD Democratic corks were aged for giddy, victorious popping \BY Anne Gowen and Siobhan McDonough \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES Salvos of champagne corks and shrieks from elated Democrats in the Omni Shoreham hotel greeted the televised word last night that Bill Clinton would have more than enough electoral votes to win the election. Happy days were theirs again. Bruce Volat, 49, a musical instrument salesman from Wheaton, partied in a Viking headdress and a togalike red-white-and-blue costume made of bedsheets at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. "I'm the fat lady," he said, "and when it's over and Clinton's in, I will sing 'La, la, la - goodbye, George.' " Several thousand Democratic enthusiasts watched the election returns on 26 TV screens throughout the vast hotel. A gift booth did a brisk business in T-shirts, sunglasses, key chains and bars of soap bearing the Clinton-Gore logo. * * * What's another word for funereal? The mood at the Republican National Committee's party last night at the Washington Hilton. It seemed everything was going wrong. As their hero appeared to make his concession speech in Houston, the cable went out so the assembled loyal heard only the tail end of Mr. Bush's concession. "It's going to be a long four years," said government contractor Kelly Flynn wiping tears away. GOP National Committee Chairman Rich Bond addressed the group after the speech to say, "The verdict is in and now the page gets turned." About two hours earlier, former White House Chief of Staff Sam Skinner was discussing his future plans. And Labor Secretary Lynn Martin was discussing the future of the Republican Party. "There were states and races we lost that we should have won," she said. "Obviously people are saying that you [Republicans] haven't made the connection." The solution, she said, was clear: Think about ways to gather more voters under the Big Tent. "If the people feel they can't be Republicans and be pro-choice," she said, "we lose too many people." Outside, two White House employees clutching drinks gave their own versions of the goings-on. Lawyer Eric Kuwana said: "We've had a great four years. We've done a great job, and that's what we'll be remembered for." "We've had a great 12 years," corrected his friend Jim Renne, who also works at the White House. Mr. Renne found some dramatic hope in the moment at the hotel where President Reagan was shot in 1981: "Here we stand, 20 yards away from where the leader of the revolution was shot," he said. "It didn't die then and it won't die now." * * * At Perot-Stockdale campaign headquarters, a former hardware store in the 700 block of 15th Street NW, about 60 people were much closer to the White House than their candidate was, according to electoral votes. Refreshments were provided by a vending trailer parked in front of the headquarters. Inside, people drank Coors beer or Pepsi, quietly watching three television screens. "It's not going to end here," said Michael Vanek, a laboratory technician for the Navy. "There's too many people who are too involved and too motivated to let it stop here." With Mr. Vanek, a registered Republican, were his daughter Christine, 2 1/2, and his wife, Patricia, a Democrat. "This is the first time we've ever agreed on a candidate," he said. The Perot followers said that regardless of the outcome the candidacy of their favorite would bring changes in Washington. * * * Compared to other election-night bashes around the city, former U.S. Information Agency Director Leonard Marks' party for the diplomatic community was sedate. Sure, some local names, such as Jack Kent Cooke with a subdued looking Marlene, Sen. Chuck Robb, Virginia Democrat, with his wife Lynda, former arms negotiator Paul Nitze, and Riggs Bank Chairman Joe Allbritton, dropped by the Madison hotel to explain the American electoral fine points. But for the most part, these party-goers from foreign parts were innocent bystanders ready to go home by 9:30 p.m. The parade of plenipotentiaries, including ambassadors from France, Korea, South Africa, Kenya, Malta, China, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Germany, appreciated the opportunity to mix and mingle on this night when seemingly no one wanted to sit home alone. Mauritius Ambassador Chitmansing Jesseramsing, an observer of every U.S. election since 1968, said what he admired about the American way is the people's "ability to move away from [campaign] bitterness and start the healing process." * * * Bullfeathers on Capitol Hill offered a special menu last night: "Razorback Pork Sandwich (boneless pork loin), served with Platform Potato or Potato and Deficit Gravy." It was also served with broccoli for Democrats. Beer cost 92 cents, a good companion for another special, "Trickle Down Chili." "We feel like it's New Year's night," said Amy Houder, 32, from Alexandria. She said the most important thing about the election was the large voter turnout and in anticipation of a Clinton-Gore victory, "It's nice to have someone of our generation in the White House." Her husband, Greg, who was wearing a tie with Democratic donkeys on it, said, "It feels better than it did eight years ago." Also wearing a tie with the Democratic emblem was Ed Seitz, a bartender at Rumors, but he also had a gold peanut on his lapel. He said that the last time he wore the peanut was when Democrat Jimmy Carter was elected president in 1976. Staff writers Kevin Chaffee, Judith Olney, Celeste McCall, Karen Riley and Jeffrey Staggs contributed to this report. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM