Wednesday, November 6, 1996
By Brooke Olson
Daily Bruin Staff
The party began early Tuesday night for the Democrats at the
Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.
An hour before West Coast polls closed, the Democrats began
celebrating the re-election of Bill Clinton as president of the
United States.
Numerous party attendees crowded around the food table and
bought drinks at the makeshift bars, eating under the red- and
blue-lit ceiling. Others chose to have their photos taken with
cardboard cutouts of Bill and Hillary Clinton.
"I’m so excited. I’ve waited all my life to see a Democrat be
re-elected and here I am witnessing it," said Mary Josephina, 48,
grabbing her mixed drink from the bartender and disappearing into
the crowd. "This is going to be the most exciting night of my
life."
Large-screen televisions broadcasted frequent updates from
Channel 4 News, while tables sold all types of Clinton/Gore
paraphernalia from sweatshirts and pins to stuffed donkeys on a
stick and glittery stars-and-stripes ties.
"Our most popular item here is the Socks the Cat button," said
Max Cobbs, owner of Max Cobbs Political Memorabilia, as he held up
an "I like Socks" pin. "The second most popular button is the Rosie
the Riveter, as well as the ‘I am a villager and support the first
lady’ pin."
One button contained the pictures of all 18 Democratic
presidents since Thomas Jefferson. "They have one like this for the
Republicans but ours doesn’t have Nixon," said Cobbs, laughing. His
business sold over $6,000 worth of Democratic memorabilia at UCLA
this year, compared to the $320 earned at USC.
As the celebration continued, many party attendees were quick to
attest their Democratic registration.
"I recently changed my status four or five weeks ago … so now
I’m a registered Democrat. All my life, I’ve voted Democrat but
I’ve never been registered as one until now," said Elliot M.
Shirwo, a lawyer and 1990 UCLA alumnus. "This is a very symbolic
campaign  for me and for America. Now I’m truly a Democrat
from the inside out."
Anticipation and celebration was high at the party. By 7:30
p.m., the food table was empty and butlers dressed in tuxedos
appeared, balancing trays of chicken strips and cookies.
"People are eating like there’s no tomorrow," said Mark
Gladdons, 32, as he shifted his tray to his left hand. "They’re
munching down food faster than I can bring it out."
With 15 minutes to go before the polls closed, TV announcers
mentioned that Clinton led the vote with 50 percent.
"Democrats have issues and the Republicans are going to be left
with nothing but tissues," laughed Hardeep Hanush, 34.
When the polls closed,members of the media announced that
Clinton was the estimated California winner. As the news cameras
turned on their lights, the crowd went wild, waving Clinton/Gore
signs.
But the sounds of Jesus Jones’ "Right Here, Right Now," drowned
out the crowd’s screams, as party attendees attempted to dance in
the shoulder-to-shoulder, standing-room-only ballroom.
"It’s an exciting event here at the Biltmore hotel," said UC
Santa Barbara alumnus Brad Regenero, 28, a real estate analyst.
"There’s going to be a lot of wild partying tonight."
At 8:30 p.m., defeated Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole
appeared on TV, much to the crowd’s dismay. Party attendees hissed
and booed as Dole gave his concession speech.
But Dole was undaunted by his loss, cracking jokes and
predicting that the majority in Congress would remain in Republican
hands.
"I was thinking on the way down to the elevator that tomorrow
will be the first time I won’t have anything to do," Dole said in
his speech.
But the crowd was uninterested in Dole’s speech and chanted
"Goodbye Bob" as the GOP nominee spoke.
By 8:45 p.m., the Crystal Ballroom was filled to capacity.
Secret Service agents quickly blocked the doors to the room,
leaving half of the attendees disappointed and outside the biggest
Democratic event of the year.
"I’m so bummed. I drove for over two hours and I can’t even be
in the room where it’s all happening," said Tom Mastrask, 23.
But others were content with the situation, focusing instead on
the nearby bar.
"Dole is a pineapple," said Matt Tumble, 22, repeating a popular
Democratic campaign phrase as he drank his wine.
At 9 p.m., Vice President Al Gore appeared on the TV screen,
with Clinton and family in tow.
"Under Bill Clinton, the U.S. is not just better off, it’s
better," Gore said. "(Clinton) will become a man of history."
As Gore presented Clinton, the crowd went wild, applauding and
whistling loudly as the 1996 president waved to the crowd.
"Just four years from now, we will enter a new century … we’ve
got bridges to build and I’m ready if you are," Clinton said.
"I thank God I was born an American."
But as he continued with his list of thank you’s, the crowd
began to shift and glance at their watches.
"I’m not really listening to the speech," said Occidental
College student Joyce Brent as Clinton spoke about education
reform. "It’s great that he won and all but his voice is so
monotone  I just wanna party."
Half an hour later, Clinton finished his speech to the cheering
of the crowd  the official party had begun.
California Lt. Gov. Gray Davis rose to speak to the crowd at the
Biltmore Hotel. But his attempts to thank them for their support
and to praise Clinton went unnoticed as the crowd began to drink
and dance.
"Can I have your attention? This will be 30 seconds, 30
seconds," Davis said, pleading with the crowd to be quiet.
But the crowd had other ideas.
"Man, I’m just here to drink," said James Dintans, 28. "The
Democrats have won  my voice has been heard and right now all
I want is to be drunk and content."
JON FERREY/Daily Bruin
Los Angeles residents Cheryl Cobb (l.) and Virginia Pope cheer
at the Biltmore Hotel as it becomes apparent that Bill Clinton will
gain a second term as president.