My work was for the Independent Florida Alligator in the form of a series of 10 blog entries over the course of the evening:
Capturing Election Night Buzz
After what has been months of anticipation, Election Day is finally here.
I’m Dan Seco, an opinion columnist for the Alligator, spending the evening at Reitz Union to watch election results coverage at an event sponsored by SG.
The gathering is purportedly a non-partisan one, but I will be sure to let you know how true that really holds. Are Obama supporters too optimistic? Will McCain supporters throw the towel in too early? I hope to answer these questions and more as I speak with people in attendance.
Check back frequently as I track the atmosphere at the event over the course of the evening. Go vote if you haven’t done so already.
Live from the Grand Ballroom
I just set up camp inside the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom as students continue to filter in the door.
Please note that there are many police officers at the door and they are not allowing anyone to bring their backpacks in. There is no place to put them outside of the ballroom, so leave your backpack at home. Outside the door, SG is handing out free t-shirts that read “Got Tuition?” and inside there is a large spread of food. The ballroom is about 30 percent full with no more than 100 people in attendance.
I’m sitting with a group of Obama supporters who are wearing t-shirts, buttons and pins promoting their candidate. Walking around the room, I have yet to see more than a handful of McCain supporters as they appear to be clustered at one table.
There is one large projection screen at the front of the room tuned into ABC News--perhaps the least biased news coverage of the results. I must confess I was hoping for MSNBC.
ObamaBot has just made a grand entrance and students have swarmed over to take pictures with it. There are more people interested in the robot than watching the screen at this point.
The night is early, but the mood is carefree and relaxed as laughter can be heard throughout the room. Let’s see how that progresses as the results begin to roll in.
Obama the heavy favorite in Grand Ballroom
I thought a fight just broke out in the Grand Ballroom as there was a mad rush to the middle of the room.
Fortunately, the excitement stemmed from the delivery of pizza.
I am intrigued by the fact that there are more African-American students than any other race combined. They have come out in full force to show support for their candidate in what would be an absolutely landmark night with a victory.
One student sticks out from the rest as he is dressed from head to toe in Obama gear—even a mask. He is wearing a hat, mask and a t-shirt decked out with Obama stickers. Upon closer look, he actually has two t-shirts on, both pro-Obama, as one is wrapped around his waist.
Students are fascinated by the young man and have approached him for pictures.
The sound of the television coverage is being drowned out as many students are conversing at the different tables around the room. I wonder if this will change as the night progresses.
A loud applause has just erupted in the ballroom as ABC News has projected just after 8:00 p.m. an Obama victory in the swing state of Pennsylvania. Reports of success in Florida for Obama with young voters were met with jubilee from the crowd while news that McCain was faring well with older voters resulted in a chorus of boos.
One man walked up to a group of people and asked “Is this a McCain table?” which was received with hearty laughter as the Obama supporter sat down. The same table has started singing a chant in support of Obama, and no one seems to be objecting.
Nonpartisan? Hmm…Signs of support for McCain sparse
The Obama family was just shown walking across the screen and once again the masses did not hesitate to voice their support for the Democratic candidate.
I’ve noticed that students who are discretely supporting McCain stand out as being particularly well- dressed for a casual evening at the Union. Perhaps they are preparing to drink their sorrows away at the bars or are just taking some fashion advice from Gov. Palin.
Adam Prom, a junior political science major, isn’t worried. The McCain supporter realizes that it will take a “perfect storm of sorts” for the Republican candidate to emerge victorious, but stresses there is still a shot.
Prom doesn’t care that there are more Obama supporters than McCain supporters in the ballroom nor is he deterred by the fact that they will be cheering all night long.
Right now, there is only one thing on his mind.
“McCain has to win Florida.”Is this the Swamp?
News of a projected victory for Obama in Ohio and New Mexico has the entire ballroom “Barackin’ and rollin’.”
Is this a Florida football game or a results party?
There is so much conviction in the voices and applause from the students in attendance as if there is no chance of anything less than an Obama blowout.
Avante’ Priest, freshman double major in business management as well as tourism and hospitality management, wanted to spend the evening with her peers to watch Barack Obama.
She said that the results could be close but that she’s very confident that Obama will emerge as the victor.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do if he wins, but I do know I have a paper to write,” Priest said.
Momentum continues to build in the Grand Ballroom as the results from the crucial swing states approach.
Lest we forget Dr. King
Just when I thought enthusiasm had died down for the time being, I was proven wrong.
An image of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. displayed on the screen has sparked unparalleled excitement throughout the crowd.
The man who paved the way for an individual like Barack Obama to reach the cusp of the presidency has not strayed far from the minds of many Obama supporters.
Mayah Perkins, a sophomore studying psychology, said King’s actions enabled Obama to have a chance; he sacrificed for a better future.
“Obama is great for everyone, if he wins the presidency, it’s not only a big step for black people but for everyone,” said Perkins.
The latest news of a projected Iowa victory for Obama has many of his female supporters jumping up and down, screaming at the top of their lungs.
I can’t even hear Obama speak as the noise has gotten out of control. Obama appears to be holding back a smile as the corners of his mouth revealed his excitement.
If he takes Florida and California, well that’s game, set, match.
Today has been a long time coming for so many. Obama’s supporters here at the ballroom have decided to savor each and every state with a resounding celebration.
Can you blame them?A break in the action
The pizza is long gone and the masses are growing restless.
The latest diversion keeping everyone amused? Taking pictures with a giant blowup version of Albert that I am conveniently sitting next to.
Attention has shifted away from the screen to conversation at each one of the many tables scattered around the room. Others are catching up on homework while a handful sit slumped in their chairs, dangerously close to napping.
Even the ever-spry ObamaBot hasn’t moved in hours.
No one seems to be going anywhere, though—there is still history to be made.Keep on Barackin’ in the Free World!
The country has spoken—history has been made.
There is sheer pandemonium at the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom.
The students in attendance are going crazy: screaming, dancing and some crying.
Everyone is on their feet and soaking in the experience.
Excuse me while I join in.
Respect shown for McCain
Though the ballroom crowd has thinned out in the wake of Obama’s victory, many stuck around to listen to McCain give his concession speech.
There were no boos, no disrespect for the beleaguered candidate, rather silence while he spoke and reverent applause at the conclusion.
Such action on the part of the countless Obama supporters speaks volumes about their moral fiber and grace in the wake of their victory. If but for a moment, they truly embodied the characteristics of their candidate in demonstrating class rather than rubbing the win in anyone’s face.
This place is bound to go crazy when Obama comes on to speak at midnight.
Stay tuned.Powerful words spoken by new leader
Just prior to the start of President-elect Obama’s speech, the remaining pack of supporters grew fanatical as they celebrated the victory of their candidate in front of a camera.
When Obama took the stage, the crowd reacted as if the man had just walked into this very room.
They hung on his every word and looked for any and every opportunity to show their love and support for him.
Obama’s endearing remarks toward his family further won over the ballroom crowd as they shrieked and shrilled upon hearing the news that a new puppy will be joining the Obama family in the White House.
As I look around the room, I see so many captivated faces, ones that now only see hope and optimism, even in the wake of hardship.
Whatever the task, whatever the challege, there is no doubt in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom that we will overcome.
The chance for change has come to America.
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