Maroon News

Issue date: 11/5/04 Section: News

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Nearly 1,500 politically interested students gathered in the O'Connor Campus Center (COOP) Tuesday night for the Party Animals' Up All Night Election Party.  The Political Student Network (PSN) and the Center Outreach Volunteerism and Education (COVE) worked with groups such as Center for Learning and Student Involvement, Class Councils, College Democrats, College Republicans, Students for Environmental Action (SEA), Democracy Matters, Amnesty International, SSJ, Body Image Network, the Women's Studies Center and Residential Education to create the "all-inclusive" political event. 
Students from all political views and class years turned out to watch the election coverage on the many television screens scattered throughout the COOP.
Students supporting Bush, Kerry and Nader enjoyed music by Sarah Poulette, the Discords and Splendiferous, as well as a performance by Charred Goosebeak.
The party featured food to represent each of the decisive "swing states" such as""Arizona" dinosaur BBQ, "Colorado" rocky road ice cream, Florida oranges, Washington apples and Virginia ham. Students proved their interest by arriving before the event began and remaining into the early hours of the morning. 
"I figured when the food started to run-out the crowds would clear, but I was surprised how many people stuck around for the results," co-coordinator of PSN senior Amanda Morose said.
Students remained at the COOP to watch as the map of America was colored blue and red.  However, even early Wednesday morning, when everyone finally left, the President-elect was in question.

   The evening began with no surprises, as the election results came in as predicted. However, the swing states remained close throughout the evening.  Democratic hopes soared as Kerry won the much contested state of Pennsylvania. Up until the final days of the election, both candidates had campaigned vigorously in Pennsylvania. 
Following Kerry's Pennsylvania victory, Florida's electoral votes were awarded to President Bush -a decided victory for the Republicans.  Florida's clear-cut victory was a relief for many as the state had potential for electoral chaos and fears of the 2000 election remained.  With these two important swing states decided, the candidates looked to be nearly tied. Both hoped to win the 270 votes needed for the Presidential office. 

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