Republicans party, show Allen support

Walking into the ballroom of the Richmond Marriott Tuesday night, one was met by an assortment of vegetables, bean and spinach dips, mixed drinks and supporters of Republican Sen. George Allen discussing the latest in politics and the future of Virginia.

Mothers hoisted babies covered with Allen stickers onto their shoulders for a short nap. Their attire ranged from suit-and-tie formal to tattered jeans covered with iron-on patches.

As people dunked baby carrots into vegetable dip, country music welcomed Kate Griffin, the chairman of the Republican campaign for Virginia, on stage.

“What a great night for Republicans,” she said as the room erupted in cheers. She introduced Rep. Eric Cantor of the 7th Congressional District, who with the support of his smiling family, celebrated his re-election with the crowd of around 300.

“It’s great to be here with so many friends and so many Republicans,” he said. “And you know what?” The crowd came to a hush, listening intently. Then, in a loud proclamation with his fist in the air, “It’s great to win!”

Cantor’s speech highlighted all of the work he intends to do for Virginia. He said Election Day was “a victory for our shared values” and thanked everyone in the room for being the people who make democracy work.

Cantor said he wants to ensure every child has access to quality education so they may achieve the American dream.

He stressed he will continue to focus on “winning this war against the terrorists and keeping our nation safe by protecting our borders and securing America’s interests.”

He said he hopes Virginia’s children will look back on this time and think of it as “when America reached for her best.”

As Montgomery Gentry’s “Something to Be Proud Of” played over the speakers, Allen supporters cheered, holding up red Cantor signs.

Rebecca Golden, 12, a student at Short Pump Middle School, was there with her family to support Cantor. She said she was excited when she found out she was coming to the election night party. She said she feels a part of history and politics is important.

“I think it has a really big impact on our lives, and it makes a really big difference,” she said of politics. “What they’re saying in Congress affects us.”

She said, “It’s important to know what’s going on in our country.”

Golden’s older sister, Rebecca Golden, 16, a student at Deep Run High School, said coming going to the party was an exciting experience.

“Not everyone gets to do it,” she said, adding that the night was a learning experience.

“It’s going to be left up to us when we’re older,” Golden said. “I think it’s important for us to know what to do at an early age so we can concentrate more on the important little things, and we know what we’re doing when we’re older.”

The supporters returned to mingling, conversing and nibbling, and intently watching the large screens set up on both sides of the stage. The news coverage shown at the event switched between CNN and Fox News until Griffin returned to the microphone again.

“I know it’s a nail biter,” she said. “But hang in there.”

Griffin introduced Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, whom the crowd greeted with a roar of praise.

“Are you ready to win?” Bolling said. Signs flew in the air.

“We’ve got some good news tonight,” he began. “We’re pleased to be able to say because of your hard work today, our folks came to the polls, and in Virginia, marriage is going to be between one man and one woman.”

Bolling stepped away from the microphone and let the crowd applaud, hug and roar with contentment.

He encouraged the supporters, saying, “George Allen’s still got the lead. He’s going to get six more years!”

After Bolling encouraged them to have more drinks and “another piece of broccoli,” supporters returned to their spots by the television screens, watching for any percentage move.

Jordan Watson, a sophomore psychology major at VCU who helped with Allen’s campaign, said he came to the party because the decision is “affecting our society and our state.”

Watson commented on the stereotypes of Republicans and Democrats.

Republicans, he said, are “normally very reserved, normally smarter, I think.”

On Democrats, he said: “I kind of mix liberals and Democrats really closely. Normally they have more of a hippie lifestyle as I’ve always seen them. They like to slack off a lot.”

Regardless of the stereotypes, Watson said it is important for everyone to show their support of whomever they vote for.

Paul Shanks, a sophomore international relations major at VCU, described the room as intense and said between stealing glances at the percentages on the TV screen, “There’s a lot of people with a lot of hopes and a lot of dreams riding on tonight.”

Shanks said although he was a little nervous for Allen, he was not too worried because “Virginia is Allen country, and he’s going to pull it off.”

If Allen wins, Shanks said, Allen will continue to do in Congress what he’s been doing.

“That is, secure the great economy that we’ve all benefited from. He’s going to keep tuition low,” he said. “He’s going to allow our government to do what is necessary to protect our national security. He’s going to keep Virginia on the good track that it’s on right now.”

As the night progressed and the percentages drifted closer to each other, Allen supporters became quiet and more reserved, and some began to whisper instead of talking heartily. The crowd slimmed down.

Tiffany Hazelwood, a 2002 graduate of the University of Richmond, sat in a chair to rest her feet.

“We thought this was a sure thing,” she said. “We didn’t think this would be going on this late. It’s getting to be ridiculous.”

Hazelwood said she was there because of her family’s personal connection to Allen. Between the time he was governor and senator of Virginia, Allen lived down the street from Hazelwood. She babysat his children.

Hazelwood said Allen was a “cool” neighbor who threw a local hoedown every year.

Hazelwood’s mother, Ann Hazelwood, said Allen’s wife, Susan, was “lovely” and “just so delightful.”

The Hazelwoods commented on how much work Allen put into his campaign and said it must be disappointing for the family to not know the results. Hazelwood said he was upstairs praying.

Hazelwood said she does not know how Allen has kept a smiling, confident air about him throughout the campaign, especially with all of the bad press he has received. She said his “macaca” comment and accusations of using the “n-word” in college do not represent the true Allen.

“It doesn’t show him at all,” she said. “That could just be him having a bad day, and that’s all it is. Nobody’s perfect.”

Hazelwood said Allen is one of the most down-to-earth politicians she has ever met and hopes if he wins “he can stay strong enough to run for president.”