Allyson Bird - Internship Diary

Nov. 3:

My bureau was just writing analysis for election night and didn't need me to report. So, not willing to let my Nov. 2 in Washington slip by without filing something, I wrote a story for The Gamecock.

I started off checking out the bar scene on the Hill after 5 p.m. and stopping by a polling place. The polls here closed at 8 p.m., which was when the watch parties started. Bush was scheduled to appear at the Republican National Committee's party at the Reagan Building just down the street from my office. I didn't have the $300 for a filing station, so I hung around outside for a bit, trying to talk to partygoers.

That got dull fast, since they were going in and not coming out, and had little to report. So I headed to the AFL-CIO party. I got in easily there and had a chance to catch up on the returns. The union members were some of the most passionate campaigners I've met since I've been in Washington.

I ended my night at the Democratic National Committee watch party. The two adjoining ballrooms in the Capital Hilton -- boasting 28 chandeliers and seven open bars -- were already cranking by about 8:45. I left at around 9:30 so I could have copy to The Gamecock by 10:30 and then hung around my bureau for a bit to watch more returns come in.

I only saw one protest this morning, and it was a ragtag bunch at that. Between the heightened security and terror threats, I was glad the election was over. But then I was deflated by the prospect that the race had ended.

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