Back in the newsroom after watch parties

The Et Cetera crew is back in the newsroom. For most of us, the experience is a new one and we can now say that we have attended an election watch party. My personal experience is marked by a new-found respect for journalism as a whole. I have also learned that Republicans can definitely throw a party.

The mood at the Hotel Palomar in Dallas was more than jubilant and the ballroom was packed. The food, and even some drinks, were free and, for the most part, delicious. It's been brought to my attention that those who wanted food at the Democratic watch party would have to pay for it at outrageous prices. Isn't it a little ironic that Democrats decided to skip on free food for supporters when most Republicans accuse them of spending wildly left and right?

Election results are still coming in across the state and the nation, and I'm sure that Republicans are continuing their party elsewhere amid the (so far) favorable polls. As for me, I will await the rest of the results as I attempt to decompress following such a red, rowdy party.

— Carla Solorzano

The party rages on

If the crowd wasn't loud enough when John Boehner was announced as the new Speaker of the House, it certainly was when news broke of Republican Stefani Carter's win in the race for Texas House District 102. Supporters and members of her entourage wore purple and were animated when congratulating her.

"I am so proud of her," supporter Denise McMillan said.

— Carla Solorzano

Watkins making a move?

The folk music played by the house band is a low buzz compared to the boisterous roars of the crowd as very few pay attention to the results across the nation are shown on four television stations.

I'm overhearing that Craig Watkins is taking the lead in the Dallas County district attorney race. However, the votes are still not completely tabulated.

–Kim Diggs

Republicans rejoice as Boehner wins

Many are chanting "USA" and proudly displaying their signs emblazoned with "Had enough, Vote Republican" at the Hotel Palomar in Dallas as the new Speaker of the House, John Boehner of Ohio, makes his acceptance speech on the television screen. Supporters are rallying around the big screen whooping and hollering their excitement as loudly as they can.

However, Boehner says amidst his victory, "This is not time to celebrate ...  It is the time to roll up our sleeves."

— Carla Solorzano

Underwhelming reaction to Perry's apparent win

Nearly an hour since Rick Perry has been named the projected winner of the gubernatorial race and still no hoopla or hurrays. Chicken mole and mashed potatoes are being served as Republican supporters mingle and chat in an excited frenzy. Some watch party attendees are discussing the races in other parts of the country.

"A power outage has delayed results in Nevada," a male passerby said to his colleague.

Results continue to pour in as many enjoy the food and drinks in the red, white and blue ballroom.

— Carla Solorzano

Not quite ready to celebrate at Victory Park

A public relations person arranged for Sen. Royce West and Eddie Bernice Johnson to get on stage in front of the crowd so that Johnson could announce that even though she has been projected as the winner in the District 30 state representative race, it's still early in voting and that there is no way to tell how things will swing.

Then she brought some former prisoners who have been exonerated by Craig Watkins on stage. They covered the whole stage floor. There are more unfinished cases Watkins is still working on.

— Kim Diggs

Johnson arrives ... then leaves.

Huge cameras and flashing lights exploded from nowhere as District 30 Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson entered the lounge. She left shortly after. I think she's claustrophobic.

— Kim Diggs

Hensarling speaks to only some after victory

Jeb Hensarling, a Republican candidate running for U.S. Representative in District 5, has secured over 20,000 votes and has already made his acceptance speech. In his speech he said that the American voice rings out.

"We don't want to be France. We don't want to be Greece ... We want to be America," he said, garnering ample applause from supporters in the Opus Grand Ballroom.

Unfortunately, Hensarling declined to speak to Et Cetera reporters for further comment.

— Carla Solorzano

Democratic buzz silenced

The disappointment in this room is palpable as the results just came in that Rick Perry has been re-elected for a third term. There are angry faces all around the room. There are long embraces and higher hopes for the remainder of the races.

"I think most Texans would agree that White would have made the better governor, but we just can't get past our politics," said attorney and Democratic party attendee Rob Wiley.

Another attendee expressed his frustration.

"Being ex-military, from a soldier's standpoint, I feel like we're going back into the dark ages of George Bush," said  project manager Malachi Nance. "We didn't push hard enough, and the Republicans were hungry. I don't think people realize what's to come."

–Kim Diggs

Hotel Palomar continues to remain chipper

Republicans continue to chat loudly and joke as the watch party rages on. The band continues to play mostly classic rock, but most are too busy smiling or typing away madly on their Blackberries to really enjoy the music. There is frequent checking of the unofficial election results with some supporters even borrowing laptops (such as mine) to survey the polls. There is no talk of Stephen E. Broden's apparent loss in the race for U. S. Congressional District 30 to Democrat Eddie Bernice Johnson, but spirits remain high.

— Carla Solorzano

The buzz begins

As the $8 drinks begin to flow and the house band of old white guys plays "Brown-eyed Girl," more and more people trickle in to the Democratic Watch Party in Dallas. The crowd is mostly black, young or gay. The average older white couple is the minority in the room.

There are whispers of a close race between Rick Perry and Bill White in Dallas County.

So far, 47.87 percent of straight-ticket voters in Dallas were Republican, while 51.72 percent were Democratic. Only .31 percent were Libertarian, and .09 percent were Green ticket.

—Kim Diggs

Republicans mill to the ritzy Hotel Palomar

The wet and cold weather has not made most Republican supporters shy away from attending the watch party at the Hotel Palomar. There is quite a healthy turnout for this 2010 election. Cars line the entrance as valets work to meet the demand. Results are already rolling in with favorable numbers for Republicans. The atmosphere is raucous as a band plays in the Opus Grand Ballroom.

— Carla Solorzano

Let the Democratic Watch Party begin

So we've placed our $1.35 in the meter on Olive and N. Houston and we plan on being here at the Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Club for the long haul. Us meaning Peretz, Kyle, Jairo, Justin, and I.

However, for this to be a Democratic Watch Party, there are not very many people in attendance. There are smartly dressed SMU students. There are locals in Texas Rangers hats (still trying to support). There's peacoat after peacoat, but no candidates. No live numbers. No progress. Just close to 40 faces in a granite colored room with the type of music you would hear when you're put on hold.

I'm ready for the tango to begin.

— Kim Diggs

Reppin' the vote: student gubernatorial debate

I just went to a debate in G101 where three different students represented different candidates in the gubernatorial campaign.  It was pretty cool.

Becky McDonough was a beast at defending Rick Perry. Had I not been somewhat educated on each candidate, I would never guess that Perry actually used taxpayers money to pay for his mansion. She made him look like an adorable 5-year-old Jehovah's Witness with a chili bowl hair cut selling me a pamphlet and Jesus.

Juan Gonzalez and Cortez Phillips may not have been quite as compelling, but they were both very enlightening on the standpoints of Bill White and Kathie Glass. They could have been a little more informed on the officials they represented, but it was educational nonetheless.

Definitely a job well done from the students and Professor Courtney Brazile.

— Kim Diggs

    

Know the candidates and vote

Walking around the halls, polling students, I was quite surprised at some of the answers I received.  There were a few who were bold enough to tell me who they were voting for, but there were those who wouldn't.

I asked one guy if he was voting and his answer was, "No, I don't care — I'm from the hood." What makes being from the hood so special? The hood isn't part of the government. Hood or not, get out there and vote.

One word of advice: Know the candidates before you go to the polls. Do not go to the polls and decide at the last minute. This is an important decision and affects the entire state.

— Elizabeth Webb

Did you vote?

Staff members of the Et Cetera are around the campus asking students if they voted or not. Please take the time to answer questions and help members out. So far turn out seems to be low when it comes to voting. One student was clueless on the voting process, asking one of the reporters if they could vote here on campus.

First, make sure you are registered to vote. Second, check the precinct number on your registration card. If you do not know the location on where to vote, call the number at top of the card. For more information on the voting process visit: www.votexas.org.

— Elizabeth Webb

Welcome to The Et Cetera's new blog

In anticipation of tomorrow's mid-term elections, The Et Cetera is launching a new blog. Check back tomorrow for updates as the results begin to roll in, and please give us comments and feedback. Also look for election stories on our website, www.eastfieldnews.com, and in the next edition of The Et Cetera, which publishes Nov. 10.